With no sign of further exemptions to the federal carbon tax, heat pumps have made their way into the energy conversation. But are they a viable heating source for cold Prairie winters? Experts say pumps can work through frigid conditions, but may not cut greenhouse gas emissions Catherine Gibson hopes …
Read More »Monthly Archives: September 2019
What would it take for Canada to hit its climate targets?
Canadians received a jarring reality check on Tuesday when the environment commissioner released his audit of the federal government's emissions reduction plan. To achieve its goals, Canada needs steep emissions cuts in the oil and gas sector Canadians received a jarring reality check on Tuesday when the environment commissioner released …
Read More »Most Canadians don’t have a plan for a natural disaster. Here’s how you can prepare yourself
In an unprecedented season of climate disasters, CBC's Marketplace has collected everything you should be thinking about in times of peace, so you can stay calm in an emergency. CBC's Marketplace got tips from across the country on what you should do in an emergency From record flooding in Nova …
Read More »I want my daughter to feel safe in her home. That’s why I’m rebuilding with climate change in mind
After Dorian’s wrath, Jason Charette started rebuilding his home with eco-friendly material in the hopes it can withstand future hurricanes. We have tried to be as eco-friendly as possible but realized that’s not always practical This First Person column is written by Jason Charette, who lives in rural P.E.I. For …
Read More »Will switching to a heat pump save you money? Here’s how to find out
Many CBC readers have asked about the costs of switching their heating and cooling system to a heat pump. A new report and online calculator are the latest to show that many Canadian households could save money by making the switch. Here’s a closer look at the potential costs and …
Read More »‘A moment for honesty’: More political leaders are directly linking fossil fuels to climate change
The idea that fossil fuels are largely responsible for climate change made its way through New York City last week, as the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Climate Ambition Summit and NYC Climate Week collectively drew in thousands of participants. But it wasn't only written on protest placards. Fossil …
Read More »Danielle Smith has embraced the electric vehicle. No, not the EV you’re thinking of
In a world rapidly embracing plug-in vehicles, Alberta's premier is skeptical — and she wants her province to go with hydrogen cars. Alberta government eyes hydrogen cars in a world that's gone for plug-ins Danielle Smith believes in a bright future for zero-emission vehicles, of the sort that virtually no …
Read More »A mosquito gave her son an illness most Canadians have never heard of. Scientists are bracing for more
Scientists warn a slew of insect-transmitted infections are on the rise across North America, fuelled in part by climate change — and even lesser-known conditions spread by mosquitoes and ticks may be under-reported. Lyme disease, West Nile, and an array of lesser-known infections are on the rise, scientists warn This …
Read More »As haze lingers, Edmonton and Calgary break records for summer smoke
Long summer days choked with wildfire haze has made this the smokiest summer on record in Alberta's biggest cities. Smoke hour records tell the story of a smoggy Alberta summer Long summer days choked with wildfire haze has made this the smokiest summer on record in Alberta's biggest cities. Environment …
Read More »Vancouver’s architecture, by design, was never meant to handle extreme heat
Experts agree much of Vancouver's architecture is uniquely vulnerable to intensifying heat in Canada, because it was only ever designed for a milder climate, leaving the city with tens of thousands of older buildings needing urgent upgrades. City 'unique in Canada' because architects weren't preparing for weather extremes Two summers …
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