,

Elon Musk - who has openly mocked Canadian sovereignty - is the world's first trillionaire, our Prime Minister just called the U.S.-Iran War "worth it," Desmog has uncovered that the Federal Government's AI plan is an attempt to burn more gas, and pesticides are likely to be de-regulated to ridiculous levels (putting the final nail in the coffin of the '4D chess' argument). All this chaos has a common cause: rising extreme wealth inequality and resulting influence.

If it feels like our climate, the world, and our situation in it keep getting worse there's a reason why. We know that wealth inequality is bad for the environment in a direct sense, as The Guardian reports. The ultra-rich and big oil and gas profit at our expense - including via war - while doing the lion's share of damage to our climate. But the two issues are linked in a different way. Rising extreme wealth inequality and global warming are alike. SPREAD THE WORD:

  • Global warming and rising wealth inequality are both overall trends that cause everything else to become more chaotic as they worsen - eroding democracy and making it impossible to solve problems.
  • Extreme wealth distorts communication, policy, the market, and our shared perception of reality towards the wants of wealthy interests - kind of like an ever-larger mass creating more and more gravitational pull.
  • EVEN 'unrealized' wealth in the form of investments has this impact via influence on policy and the market, and wealth accumulation becomes it's own feedback loop as those with the most make even more.
This might be the most important concept I can ever share in these intros: Extreme wealth inequality ultimately turns democracy into oligarchy and autocracy as we covered previously in our podcast. As with global warming, WE MUST REVERSE THE OVERALL TREND - not just the symptoms - or Canada is headed in the same direction as the U.S. As Robert Reich wrote back in April on Bluesky:

"The richest 10% of Americans own roughly 87% of stocks. The richest 1% alone own roughly half of all stocks. As war rages on and millions of people struggle to make ends meet, it's worth pointing out once again that the stock market is not the economy."

Wealthy polluters in particular have identified that their main obstacle to continuing to profit from pollution is… democracy. As Ingrid Robeyns, writes in a Guardian piece I highly recommend reading on a proposed wealth cap: 
"Extreme wealth concentration undermines democracies. It comes with massive greenhouse gas emissions and environmental harm that are not needed to live a dignified life."
Wealth and income concentration is a big problem for the environment in Canada, the CCPA writes. It's also no coincidence that Tobias Lütke the founder of 'Build Canada' a pro-oil/gas, pro-big-tech, lobby group - that has gained great amounts of influence over our Federal Government - praised the rise of Elon Musk to the rank of trillionaire. Other groups, like the Atlas Network, are also undermining regulatory safeguards here and globally.
 
It's no coincidence that - thanks to the distorting effects of extreme wealth - we are seeing public services cut, environmental regulations decimated, the Pentagon welcomed (with taxpayer funds) into Canadian mines, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories run by U.S. corporations with ties to their military. That's not to mention corporate profiteering off the Iran War - which we could stop here at home through excess profits taxation and regulation - that could cost Canadians 50 to 100 billion dollars in additional consumer costs.
 
Our collective - public - services suffer as a result but so too does competition. Our Ole Hendrickson wrote not to long ago about how even the market suffers without balance. Can renewables out-compete gas in the market? Absolutely, but that would cut into the profits of U.S. oil and gas corporations. So big oil and gas receive subsidies to strengthen their position, while our government now aims to build out AI in a way that creates demand for their gas and that slows renewable growth.
 
Can LNG projects - tied to the U.S. Administration - like Ksi Lisims stand on their own two feet? No. So now our government is doing PR for these projects by signing non-binding agreements with Germany even though Ksi Lisims LNG would STILL come online in the midst of an LNG supply glut.
 
The myths used to defend wealth inequality are even similar to those used to deny global warming:

  • Momentary benefits of wealth inequality for the few are like the cool day amid the trend of global warming that climate deniers will point to.

  • Trickle-down economic arguments are like claiming the earth is actually cooling or that increased amounts of CO2 are good for the planet.

  • We cannot simply adapt to extreme inequality.

But the tools to overcome those myths are also similar and we need most of all to connect with others. As we discussed last week, an excess profits tax on oil and gas corporations has majority support from all regions and age groups in Canada:

"[With] 66% in favour and 24% opposed to imposing such a tax and using the revenue to help Canadians lower their energy bills. The idea won majority support across all regions of the country and all age groups, with Albertans supporting the measure by a margin of 56 to 37%. Direct rebates to every household emerged as respondents’ favourite way to distribute proceeds from an excess profits tax."

People get what the problem is, and to end this (forgive the length) rant on a hopeful note: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Nor is fixing these underlying trends impossible: after all we used to tax and regulate wealthy interests more effectively - so the fixes are neither new, nor untested.
 
That's why it's vital we keep talking with each other, organizing, and pushing for better. So spread the word to others and call out the trends underlying to the crises we face. Because - even though it's not going to be easy - nothing will get fixed so long as wealth inequality, and global warming, worsen.
 
The De-Flooded Zone (Edition 4)

Articles and resources that cut through the Federal Government's flooding of the zone. This week:

  • Youth [including Sierra Club Canada's Shirley Barnea], advocacy groups sue Carney government over climate rollbacks - CBC News.
  • The Federal government is ‘shredding’ environmental rules and ‘misleading’ Canadians: former advisors - The Narwhal.
  • Kristi Noem hired in strategic advisory role for B.C. mining company, reports Global News [this comes after The Breach also revealed The Federal Government is letting the Pentagon take ‘unprecedented’ stakes in Canadian mines (with public funding as backing)]. 
  • Federal government prepares to dismantle pesticide rules - an update as "twenty-one scientists with 'research expertise on pesticides and the environment' urged the government to reconsider its changes."
  • "CANADIAN Border agents [are] confronting migrants in workplaces and schools, detaining them without prior contact, and rushing deportations before legal options for asylum seekers have played out.... targeting the family members of migrants who have already secured protected status, in some cases breaking up families" - The Breach.
  • "Environment Canada cuts to radar research team puts public at risk, experts say" - CTV News.
  • Can't manage parks 'with magic': Observers decry Parks Canada cuts - Ottawa Citizen.
 

Climate Misinformation Mechanics, Cranky Uncle, and Skeptical Science with John Cook
The Environment in Canada Podcast episode 26 (ICYMI)

You’ll hear how climate misinformation works in this episode and learn effective ways to counter it. Jessica talks with John Cook, who studies the cognitive psychology of climate science denial. He founded Skeptical Science, a website that debunks climate change myths.
Listen to the Podcast on Our Website

You can listen to the episode on The Harbinger Media Network, IHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or on our website here.

Send us your questions for the podcast and this newsletter at communications@sierraclub.ca an we will try to get back with answers in future editions.
 
Energy and Climate News from Our Community Energy Showcase

The latest climate and energy headlines from our joint Community Energy Showcase with The Energy Mix, an important source for reliable information in a world filled with misinformation.
  • Big Tech Lobbying Watered Down SBTi’s Corporate Climate Standard, Critics Say by Gaye Taylor:

"An extensive update to the world’s leading corporate net-zero standard drew praise from carbon removal companies but fury from climate groups that say Big Tech killed one of its most important provisions."

  • India’s Poorest States Bear Heaviest Toll from Extreme Heat, Study Finds (pictured) by Chris Bonasia:

"Researchers who found that a single day of extreme heat leads to approximately 3,400 excess deaths in India have analyzed how heatwaves affect mortality at the district level, hoping to bring to light “a profound and troubling environmental injustice."

  • Russia Closes Court Hearing for Jailed Indigenous Climate Advocate, Extends Detention by Anita Hofschneider with files from The Energy Mix:

"A Russian court has extended the detention of Daria Egereva, an Indigenous climate advocate jailed on terrorism charges, following a closed-door hearing from which journalists, diplomats, and family members were barred."
 
Chapter Highlight: Sierra Youth

"Held together through grassroots organizing and guided by a strong anti-oppression framework, we tackle some of the most urgent issues of our time: climate change, globalization, and overconsumption. We provide tools, training, and platforms for youth to engage in collective action and build a more just, sustainable world."

 Read more about our Youth Chapter here.
 

More newsletter content below! But first, please consider a donation to help us continue to run projects like youth chapter events. Even five dollars a month, or as a one time donation, makes a huge difference.
Become a Monthly Donor
 
ICYMI: Wild Child Edmonton/Alberta Summer Kick-Off Days!

"The school year may be ending, but the adventures are just beginning! Join us for our Summer Kick-Off Days, packed with forest fun including scavenger hunts, shelter building, knife skills, creek exploration, nature games, and more. Register for a single day or both, running 9am to 3pm at our Mill Creek Ravine location...

Spaces are limited—register today to save your spot!"

Find out more on Wild Child Edmonton's Instagram Page. Wild Child is an educational program of Sierra Club Canada and has been connecting children, youth, and families to nature since 2010.
 
ICYMI: Sierra Club Canada Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026!

Our Sierra Club Canada Annual General Meeting (AGM) is on June 23rd! Join us for updates from our Chapters & Programs in this Decade of Change. Find out more and register here. The 2026 AGM agenda includes important updates from our chapters and programs and business!
 

Talking with others is the biggest impact you can have but be sure to prioritize talking to those on the fence about the seriousness of the climate crisis (unfortunately not everyone is open to listening). Call out oil and gas CEOs in the process!

We're stronger together. Go cause trouble.

Conor

 

Conor Curtis

Head of Communications

Sierra Club Canada

SIERRA CLUB CANADA FOUNDATION

Follow us on Bluesky.

P.O. Box 2007 STN B
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Tel: 1.888.810.4204

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