The Environment in Canada Podcast
A podcast about the environment in Canada (and sometimes elsewhere) by Sierra Club Canada. Topics include climate change, biodiversity, pollution, renewable energy democracy, and the Rights of Nature. Tune in and take action!
Canada Supports U.S. Energy Dominance? Four Legs Good, Two Legs Better & Fortress North America
You can't win against U.S. oligarchy by letting oligarchy in through the back door. All the defence spending in the world doesn't matter in that case because you have misjudged how the U.S. influence strategy works.
âThe U.S. wants to achieve energy dominance. We support you in that view⊠[as] Fortress North Americaâ Tim Hodgson, the Canadian Energy Minister recently told the U.S. Regarding Trump's U.S. tech billionaire friends wanting to build out AI data centres: âWe can provide [the] gas,â Hodgson said.
Polling shows this is NOT wha...
Les professionnel.le.s de la santé dans le mouvement écologiste
Quel rÎle est-ce que les professionnel.le.s de la santé ont dans le mouvement écologiste? Diamond Yao s'entretient avec Dre Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiers, médecin de famille à Montréal et présidente de l'Association québécoise des médecins pour l'environnement (AQME).
Envoyez-nous vos questions pour le podcast Ă communications@sierraclub.ca
Et n'oubliez pas de passer Ă l'action !
Veuillez noter : Les opinions exprimées dans ce podcast ne reflÚtent pas nécessairement celles de la Fondation Sierra Club Canada ou de nos sections...
Thrift Shopping, Social Media, & Youth Supporting Sierra Club Canada at Their School
Taylor talks with students (Haley & Shirley) from Bur Oak Secondary School about a thrift shop fundraiser they ran at their school to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of overconsumption and the importance of thrift shopping - and to raise funds for Sierra Club Canada. They also discuss the impact of social media advertising on youth and the need for people to reconnect with the natural world and each other offline.
In the 'Q&A' section we talk about the difference between post reactions on social media and public opinion as well as how advertisers...
Iran war UNDERMINES new oil & LNG projects in Canada - but oil corporations still profit...
Oil & gas interests are already lying about the future of their Canadian projects and profiting as a result of the Iran war. In reality price shocks due to the U.S. war on Iran - along with the U.S. attempt to cut Cuba off from oil - will convince countries to move to renewables faster. That in turn makes new Canadian oil, gas and LNG projects LESS viable as they rely on long term demand for their products.
Even before the Iran war, the International Energy Agency still expected oil demand to plateau around 2030 (and gas...
Canadian Senate Presentation Offshore Wind & Faulty Oil Economics in Newfoundland & Labrador
Gretchen Fitzgerald (Our Executive Director) and Shauna Kelly (our Offshore Wind Coordinator for Newfoundland and Labrador) present to the Canadian Senate on offshore wind and the economic infeasibility of offshore oil development in Newfoundland and Labrador. At the end thereâs also a recording of Miâgmaweâl Tpluâtaqnn (MTI) presenting to the same senate committee about the lack of Indigenous consultation around Equinor's Bay du Nord oil project.
You can find a full list of sources for our information in this episode on the page for this podcast episode on our website (scroll down past the...
ICYMI: Black History Month and the Environment
Jessica Murray talks with Juliet Rennick about Black History Month and its multiple meanings. They also discuss environmental racism and the story of Africville in Nova Scotia, how cities consult on environmental matters, the work of environment and social activist Wangari Maathai, how to be a better ally, and what it means for environmental organizations to truly engage in a dialogue on these issues.
(Originally published in February 24, 2024)
And don't forget to take action!
Support the show
Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/
An NL to Europe Electric Cable? It Might Not be as Difficult as You Think
Could a power cable from Newfoundland and Labrador to the United Kingdom and EU connect the grids of North American and Europe? There's already a concept proposal for one: https://nato-l.com/Â The idea might not be as outlandish as it sounds, and it would bring significant benefits in terms of wind and solar energy and associated jobs and revenue locally in NL and across Canada. Similar projects have also been proposed elsewhere.
Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from u...
Rojava vs. Syrian Government Attacks & Ethnic Cleansing (Part 2)
Journalist James Stout joins us to discuss Rojava, the ecological aspects of their revolution in Northeast Syria, and the history of conflict there. Kurds and other cultural minorities in Rojava are also being threatened with the prospect of ethnic cleansing by the new Syrian Transitional Government of Damascus that has attacked on Rojava.Â
The Canadian Government could apply pressure to the Syrian Government to help facilitate a peaceful resolution if you'd like to call your MP and tell them to act. We will also update this description with ways to assist in h...
Rojava: Social Ecology, Democracy, Feminism, & Community (Part 1)
Conor talks with Arthur, a journalist working with the Emergency Committee for Rojava about Rojava's "experiment in feminism, pluralism, democracy and environmentalism" that includes a sweeping vision of social ecology. This podcast comes as Kurds and other cultural minorities in the area are being threatened with potential genocide by the new Syrian Government which has attacked the Rojava region. A follow up episode (Part 2) which will be out soon will get into what has happened since this episode was recorded on January 7th 2026.
The Canadian Government could also apply pressure...
Digital & Energy Sovereignty with Paris Marx of Tech Won't Save Us
Conor talks with Paris Marx of the Tech Won't Save Us Podcast about digital and energy sovereignty in Canada in the face of U.S. aggression - including tips for your personal digital sovereignty to get off U.S. tech - and the importance of continuing to push the Canadian Government to do better.
Find Paris Marx's full guide to your personal digital sovereignty here: https://disconnect.blog/getting-off-us-tech-a-guide/
Take action on related issues via our petitions / letter writing campaigns:
Pledge to support community-led renewable energy and tell C...Big Oil Turns Against Canada & Greenland, & The Threat to Newfoundland & Labrador
Find our full newsletter from this week (with sources) here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/threat-oil-canada-greenland/
Find our recent take action letter campaign here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney_bill_c-15/
An excerpt:
If Trump invades Greenland we can expect oil and gas interests âbased in Canadaâ to side with Trump and tell Canada to keep quiet. Oil tycoons in Canada are already apparently happy to help Trump develop oil in Venezuela and thus set the precedent we will help the U.S. violate international law. And will...
Venezuela, Trump Oil Plans, the Threat to Canada & Pointless Oil Pipelines
The U.S. Administration will use soft power - through oil and gas corporate lobbying - to try and erode Canada's resolve and sovereignty. What has happened since in Venezuela mirrors that same approach: The U.S. has replaced Venezuela's leader (NicolĂĄs Maduro) with a new leader (democracy not included) because the new leader, Delcy RodrĂguez, is friendly with U.S. oil and gas interests. They built a relationship with her and directly recommended her as a replacement. Obviously Canada and Venezuela are not comparable governments, but the U.S. administration does not view Canada as different. To...
No Safe Level: Lead, Industry Influence, and What We Can Do
Melody Li speaks with Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a physician and public health scientist whose research has reshaped how we understand the health effects of low-level chemicals such as lead, air pollution, fluoride, and pesticides. For more than three decades, his work has shown that small exposures can have large, lasting effects on childrenâs development and population health, and has helped drive prevention-focused policy around the world.Â
In this episode, they take a deep dive into the hidden ways toxic chemicals shape our health, our communities, and our policies: why there is no safe level of lead, how...
What's Coming in 2026 and Looking Back at 2025: A Sierra Club Canada Carol
We're already planning to approach 2026 with a cutting edge, solutions-oriented, strategy and we look back on accomplishments in 2025 in this podcast as well. Sierra Club Canada's President (Owen Leggatt Stewart, based in British Columbia) and Executive Director (Gretchen Fitzgerald, originally from NL) share thoughts, and words of encouragement for those who may feel disheartened, and we even have a chat (at the very end) about renewable energy in Newfoundland and Labrador, a possible power line from the East Coast to Europe, and NL cuisine.Â
Watch this podcast as a video here: h...
Building Flooding and Shoreline Resilience Together: Staying Safe in a Changing Climate
Yumeng speaks with Dr. Anabela Bonada from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation about Canadaâs rising shoreline risks, and flooding in general, and the practical, low-cost steps residents can take to stay safer. Together, they explore the new Managing Rising Risks: Climate-Resilient Shorelines for Canada report, why shorelines matter for community resilience, and how everyone can prepare for flooding and erosion in a changing climate.
Resources from the Episode:
Managing Rising Risks: Climate-Resilient Shorelines for Canada: https://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/recent-reports/climate-resilient-shorelines/Government of New Brunswick Home Floodproofing Guide: https://www2.gnb.ca/co...Anti-gaz de schiste du N.-B. avec Denise Melanson
Anti-gaz de schiste du N.-B. : représentant les Néo-Brunswickois(es) préoccupés par notre avenir.
Envoyez-nous vos questions pour le podcast Ă info@sierraclub.ca
Et n'oubliez pas de passer Ă l'action !
Veuillez noter : Les opinions exprimées dans ce podcast ne reflÚtent pas nécessairement celles de la Fondation Sierra Club Canada ou de nos sections ou programmes.
Support the show
Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/
The Work That Goes into Fundraising: Giving Tuesday, Behind the Scenes, with Taylor Farrugia
We answer your questions about Sierra Club Canada and take a look behind the scenes of the work that goes into fundraising with Development Manager Taylor Farrugia for Giving Tuesday - as well as share advice for young people interested in getting into the fields of fundraising or communications. Don't forget to spread the word to others!Â
Learn more about Sierra Club Canada at https://www.sierraclub.ca/Â
Give your gift to Sierra Club Canada and help support our work and this podcast at: https://www.si...
Control, Donât Appease, the Middle Ground AND Avoid Internal Fights - Plus a Pipeline MOU Response
We respond to the Pipeline MOU between the Federal Government and Alberta Government -Â which scrapped the emissions cap in a betrayal of Canadian climate survivors so that U.S. shareholders could profit. Then we chat about advice on controlling - not appeasing - the centre of a debate without sacrificing radical action or succumbing to scapegoating.
Actions:
Call Your MP, Oppose the MOU and Call for Renewable Ambition: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/enHow to Take Action for Renewables in Your Community, Without Waiting for Governments to Act: ht...Kebaowek First Nation Rallies Against Nuclear Waste Megadump
Conor talks with Ole Hendrickson, the Chair of Sierra Club Canadaâs Conservation Committee and a columnist among many other roles, about the ongoing fight to to defend the Kichi Sibi / Ottawa River and our watershed from a nuclear waste megadump.Â
The Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area, Kebaowek First Nation, Sierra Club Canada and the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility took Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to court and WON on this matter... but CNL has appealed.
And so on November 12th as CNLâs appeal was heard, they held a rally outsi...
West Coast Pipeline? Oil & Gas Corps Want Us Tied to the U.S. When Renewables are What We Really Need for Sovereignty
Oil & Gas interests want to increase Canada's reliance on the United States - sabotaging Canadian sovereignty. So why is the Alberta Government talking about a west coast oil pipeline MOU with the Federal Government - especially since the economics of such a pipeline are terrible? Because the MOU on an imaginary pipeline is actually cover to weaken Canada's climate regulations and slow the growth of renewable energy - renewable energy that is Canada's best bet for continuing our sovereignty...
Take Action:
Send a message to Prime Minister Carney to stand up for...Turning Despair into Hope with Sierra Youth
We talk with Danielle Romaine of our Sierra Youth Chapter about some of the amazing projects Sierra Youth is starting, how to get youth into hopeful spaces, food security and sovereignty, and what you can do to help.Â
You can find out more about Sierra Youth on our website here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/chapters/sierra-youth/about-sierra-youth/
And on their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/sierrayouthcanada/
Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us h...
How Weâll Win PLUS Sierra Club U.S. Sues Trump Admin for DOGE Records
We describe why, even though things may seem dire, the climate movement will ultimately win and what you can do to help, PLUS how Trump pressured the IEA into publishing a ridiculous oil demand scenario, AND how our sister organization south of the border, Sierra Club U.S., has filed a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration after its Department of Government Efficiency refused to release records about its ties to polluters and special interests: Theyâre calling for transparency about whoâs influencing DOGEâs massive budget cuts â and how those decisions are harm...
LNG is NOT Nation-Building: Trump's Friends May Benefit, But We Pay the Price
Mark Carney is due to announce another round of 'nation building' projects and likely to be among them is the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas (or LNG) project in British Columbia: the entity that will construct, own and operate the assets of the Ksi Lisims LNG project is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Texas-based Western LNG, funded by U.S. private equity firms with ties to the U.S. Administration.Â
We discuss at length why LNG development is not nation building and actually harms our economy, health, and climate.
You can t...
Take Action Against Greenwashing, November 2025 Events, & Rerun of Wildfire and Flood Survivors Calling for an Emissions Cap
We have a new action you can take to call for Canada's anti-greenwashing legislation to be restored, updates on events and protests (including some climate change adaptation training sessions) you can attend in November 2025, and a Rerun of an interview we published last year in November 2024 with survivors of wildfires and floods in Canada who are calling for an emissions cap on wealthy oil and gas corporations.
Take Action and Send a Message to:
Call for the restoration of anti-greenwashing legislation AND the Emissions Cap on oil and gas corporations:...The Real Deep State & Budget 2025: Leaders Are NOT Saviours, YOU Are.
To stop oil and gas lobbyists and wealthy interests (the REAL deep state) from undermining democracy and the environment we need to learn to use their strategies and mindset to democracy's advantage (every crisis is an opportunity) - without succumbing to apathy or scapegoats. We look at Budget 2025 and the government's 'climate plan' in terms of corporate influence.
Sources for today's Sovereignty Saturdays sub-series episode:
Previous Sovereignty Saturdays episodes:Â
Do You Want Kings? Because Thatâs How You Get Kings: https://www.sierraclub.ca/no-kings-inequality-deregulation/Â Winning the Communications War...Decolonizing Climate Research with Dr. Enoch Tse
Co-host Diktshya Sharma asks Dr. Enoch Tse what does it mean for climate research in Canada to be reciprocal rather than extractive? How do worldviews about the human-nature relationship shape the kinds of questions researchers even think to ask? What would it actually look like for a research project to give back, instead of just taking?
Dr. Tse is a Professional Engineer, is co-chair of the Anti-Racism and Respectful Workplace Advisory Committee and division lead of the Anti-Racism Action Plan with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and an Adjunct professor...
Oligarch Social Media: Stay, Leave? OR Misuse...
Should you stay on platforms like X or Meta or leave? We explore ways to misuse these oligarchical propaganda platforms to actually get more people onto better platforms and spaces: examining the tactics and strategies of climate denialists for lessons in how to be more effective online in advocating for environmental and social justice. No matter what you choose to do, stay or leave, it's about how you do it.Â
Resources and further listening for today's Sovereignty Saturdays sub-series episode:
Winning the Communications W...Curating Climate Science, Action, & Emotion with Dr. Soren Brothers
Jessica talks with Dr. Soren Brothers, the Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change at the Royal Ontario Museum about curating climate change, how climate scientists experience emotions like everyone else, and a recent Planet in Focus film festival Climate in Therapy screening.
A reminder also to fill our out communications survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeSsQcSg2Y9LUMXpfImmTrTMtrB2epk0682ddmppj49yuq-A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116027308335005541993
Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for...
Winning the Communications War with the U.S. Oligarchy, & Big Oil & Gas, Requires YOU!
Canada defeating the aggression of the U.S. oligarchy, & their oil & gas-interest friends, will require all of us learning how to communicate more effectively, strategically, & rapidly to counter disinformation. When it comes to disinformation going âstraight at âemâ will also require dealing with the extreme inequality that led us to this point, as we covered in last weekâs episode: https://www.sierraclub.ca/no-kings-inequality-deregulation/
Resources for this Sovereignty Saturdays sub-series episode:
Previous episodes: How to Defend Democracy, Sovereignty, & Canada: Resisting U.S. Annexation PART 3 & No Kings Day special: https://www.sier...The Rights of Water
What lies beneath the waves⊠shapes everything above them: Exploring the vital links between water ecosystems, climate change, biodiversity, and the Rights of Water. Chevaun Toulouse, Steven J. Cooke, Julie Reimer, Kriss Kevorkian joined host Aishwariya Ravi Shankar for an event on Oct. 1st, 2025. Listen to their conversation here.
Pledge to respect, protect, and uphold the rights of water here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/are-you-ready-to-pledge-for-the-rights-of-water/
Find out more about Sierra Club Canadaâs Rights of Water campaign here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/acti...
Do You Want Kings? Because Thatâs How You Get Kings - A No Kings Special, Sovereignty Saturdays
How extreme inequality & environmental deregulation lead to the rise of authoritarianism & what we can do to stop it from happening here. Part of our Sovereignty Saturdays sub-series, find additional resources and sources below:
Regulation saves money and lives by Ole Hendrickson: https://rabble.ca/columnists/regulation-saves-money-and-lives/A New âFundamental Fairnessâ Can Save Democracy, the Environment, and Canada (on inequality, the distortion of reality, and erosion of democracy): https://energymixweekender.substack.com/p/a-new-fundamental-fairness-can-saveOur previous episode in this sub-series, How to Defend Democracy, Sovereignty, & Canada: Resisting U.S. Annexation PART 3: https://www.sierraclub.ca/sovereignty-democracy-canada-annexation/Be su...
How to Defend Democracy & Canada: Resisting the U.S. Annexation of Canada PART 3 & Sovereignty Saturdays
If youâre worried about whatâs happening in the U.S., and where it will end, thatâs very understandable. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. But beyond the shock thereâs work to be done right now to make sure things do - one day - get better. Our new sub-series, Sovereignty Saturdays looks at the environmental and energy dimensions of Canadian sovereignty and what you can do to help.
Resources:
Renewable Energy Pledge - Send a Message to Our Government: https...BC Species at Risk PLUS Pipeline to the West Coast Conversation
Dr. Sarah (Sally) Otto, Dr. Peter Thompson, and CPAWS-BC Campaigner Brynna Kagawa-Visentin talk about a recent report that looks at the changing status of imperiled species in British Columbia over the last 15 years â in the absence of a dedicated provincial species at risk act (or law) â and reveals that species at risk in BC have risen, with most changes in status not reflecting genuine recovery: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.30.679339v1
Please note for context that this is a non-peer-reviewed preprint and the manuscript is currently under consideration for publication at a peer-reviewed journal.Â
We also...
Enbridge vs. Indigenous Sovereignty, Line 5 vs. The Great Lakes
Jessica talks with youth tribal activist Gracie Waukechon about Enbridge's dangerous Line 5 pipeline and Indigenous sovereignty. Gracie came to Canada recently to speak at screenings of the Bad River Film in Toronto and Montreal and is calling on all of us to raise our voices.Â
Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/
And don't forget to take action: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/
Support the show
Find ou...
Actions You Can Take in Sept. 2025 & a Rights of Nature Compilation Episode: Including Things Getting Better
If youâre listening after September 2025 then check out our general Take Action Page for up to date action items here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/
Ways YOU can take action in September 2025 listed below:
Send a message to Prime Minister Carney to stand up for community-based renewable energy, oppose LNG, and pledge to advocate for renewables in your community: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney-support-renewable-energy/Our Year-End campaign is centered on hope, and weâd love to hear what it signifies to you. Send us your story to info@sierraclub.ca<...Wind Power & Electric Vehicles are Good for Canada - as is Solar!
Oil & Gas interests, & their friends in the U.S. Administration, want to stop Canada from developing wind power & EVs, because both are part of how we gain more energy independence. We released a series of fact sheets on wind power & electric vehicles (below) & go over the basics in this podcast. Facts & sources:
Wind Power & Solar Power Facts: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-wind-power-facts/Electric Vehicle Facts: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-electric-vehicles-facts/How to talk with others about climate issues (with tips applicable to these issues as well): https://www.sierraclub.ca/climate-change-family-talk/Send a message to the...L'environnement, c'est intersectionnel avec Lourdenie Jean
Nous nous entretenons avec Lourdenie Jean, une jeune environnementaliste qui a confondé L'environnement, c'est intersectionnel. Cet organisme met en lumiÚre les enjeux vécus par les personnes qui sont le plus marginalisées par la crise climatique.
Envoyez-nous vos questions pour le podcast Ă info@sierraclub.ca
Et n'oubliez pas de passer Ă l'action !
Veuillez noter : Les opinions exprimées dans ce podcast ne reflÚtent pas nécessairement celles de la Fondation Sierra Club Canada ou de nos sections ou programmes.
Support t...
NO Case for Shipping LNG to Europe PLUS Stay Frosty vs. Dangerous Declinism
There's still no business case for Canada shipping LNG to Europe/Germany and the rise of artificial intelligence doesn't change that fact. Plus a quick rant about the dangers of declinism, framing, and why staying optimistic is vital: historical moments of 'decline' are also periods with the opportunity for fundamental change to happen in a positive way - if that opportunity is seized a 'boomerang' effect can occur.
Political Leaders Follow the Wind, YOU Can Determine it's Direction
Political leaders are useful only as part of the equation: engage with them but never...
Energy Journalism & the Demise of Oil & Gas with Mitchell Beer
Oil & gas demand is set to plateau, climate-induced wildfires are getting worse, & disinformation is an existential threat to our shared reality. Solution-focused energy reporting has become more important than ever, but what does good energy reporting look like? Conor talks with Mitchell Beer of The Energy Mix. Find out more & subscribe to The Energy Mix:
The Energy Mix's main website: https://www.theenergymix.com/Read more: Oil Is Faltering. Renewables Will Survive Trump. What Is Carney's Next Move? From The Energy Mix Weekender: https://energymixweekender.substack.com/p/oil-is-faltering-renewables-will<...Wildfires: Climate Denial Kills, Mutual Aid, & a Sierra Youth Rewind
Corporate-sponsored climate denial and delayism doesn't just give oil and gas corporations the space they need to profit while setting future wildfires and storms in motion. Climate denial and delayism [attempts to delay climate action] also disrupt relief and safety efforts, making these 2025 wildfires and other climate impacts more dangerous in the immediate moment.
In today's (August 2025) podcast we also talk about a mutual aid network of 27 volunteers (so far) that Kassie Drodge of Sierra Club Canada has set up in Newfoundland and Labrador to help people who have been impacted by the wildfires there. If...
