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New polling by Abacus Data from early December shows 53% of Canadians want governments to phase out the use and production of fossil fuels and only 36% oppose a phaseout. Further only 35% have any degree of trust left in oil and gas companies - and that’s after all those big ad spends by the Pathways Alliance and the Alberta government.

When we talk about more middle road measures like the emissions cap which do not hurt production, but that DO address corporate pollution, support is also strong (find an explainer on the emissions cap here).

As we wrote last week 65% of people either strongly support an emissions cap or see their support as dependent on the Federal Government implementing the policy correctly. 67% agree the emissions cap will have either a significant, or some, impact on climate goals.

Despite all the political and PR theatre, people have not forgotten we need to address pollution. More importantly these findings add even more weight to the importance of having conversations with others - so stay vocal!

Here are five tips from our new podcast below on talking about climate action over the holidays:

• Focus on conversations with those on the fence about climate action rather than those who already agree with or who completely oppose climate action.
• Ask others about what worries them about climate change and their concerns.
• Share what concerns you about climate change, and be personal about your concerns and how you feel. We don't need to agree on everything to establish common ground.
  
• Share your excitement for climate solutions! Pessimism is contagious but so is excitement.
  
• Use analogies and humour to dispel misinformation (for example: saying we should only adapt to climate change, rather than preventing pollution, is the same logic as calling an ambulance, while standing under a falling tree, rather than just moving out of the way).

We need to get past the noise and back to common shared beliefs like fairness. That's why we talk so much about the emissions cap, not because it alone will cure climate change, but because within the policy itself is a powerful idea: the idea that the most polluting corporations should be held accountable and that climate action should be fair.

Anyone can help hold Canada’s biggest polluters accountable. Oil and gas corporations profit while we all lose: whether that’s through inflation, climate change, or direct pollution. It doesn’t matter if you’re reliant on oil & gas for work, energy, or heat. It’s not about where you are now, it’s about where you want us to go.

How to Talk to Others & Progress Past the Political Theatre this Holiday Season

You can also find this episode on the Harbinger Media Network, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, our Youtube Channel, and on our website, as well as many other places you listen to podcasts. The Environment in Canada Podcast is additionally broadcast by-weekly on CKUT radio in Montréal (90.3 FM) and on CHMA radio in Sackville New Brunswick on Saturdays at 11am Atlantic Daylight Time.

We also discuss ways to make permanent progress with others that moves past misinformation.

Having trouble with misinformation not covered here? Send us your questions at communications@sierraclub.ca

We're here to help over the holidays!

• Green Jobs Are Abundant. Green Workers Are Not (pictured) by Rick Spence:
  

"'We see this as a great opportunity,' said Hem Dholakia, a senior research associate at the Smart Prosperity Institute in Ottawa. The challenges of building these new educational links –consensus-building, creativity, and communication— are the same skills required for the energy transition. If Canada can accelerate these twin transitions, Dholakia says it will build an international edge that will make the country a magnet for foreign capital once again.

'By putting in the building blocks of a skilled and inclusive work force, we would be setting ourselves up for long-term economic growth.'

Of course, if Trump goes ahead with his recent threat to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, Canada’s economy could tumble into an immediate recession that would throw off every economic forecast. Even so, that would be all the more reason for Canada to double down on the green economy and focus on international markets."

• New Research Challenges the Need for Baseload Power Plants [in wind and solar energy systems] by Christopher Bonasia:
  

“Baseload power plants are not necessary to maintain supply in an energy system dominated by wind and solar power, and only have a place in future systems if they help cut costs, say researchers in Germany.... 'The findings of our discussion paper should directly translate to any energy system worldwide...'"

• ‘Unfettered’ LNG Exports Would Raise U.S. Gas Prices by 30%, Granholm Warns Trump:
  

"'Today’s publication reinforces that a business-as-usual approach (to LNG exports) is neither sustainable nor advisable,' Granholm said."

• Arctic Emits More Carbon Than It Stores as Warming Hits Canadian Economy, Winter Sports by Mitchell Beer

“If we don’t accelerate our energy transition away from fossil fuels, we’re on the verge of losing important dollars for our national economy, but most importantly a tradition of beloved Canadian activities,” said Philippe Marquis, two-time Olympian and coach of Canada’s national freestyle ski team.... “Warmer temperatures affect snow accumulation and ice coverage, with significant consequences for winter sports and activities—and the people who make a living from them,” Climate Central adds.

• ICYMI: EV Trucker’s Drive from Yukon to Manitoba Reveals Disparities in Charging Infrastructure by Tova Gaster:

"People worry about battery fires—which are up to seven times less frequent than gas- and diesel-powered vehicle fires, according to Motortrend—and range.... “There was a big variance in provinces that had privatized their grids and those that hadn’t.... Lindley says chargers should be better regulated to ensure they’re maintained. He found that many chargers in Northern Alberta didn’t work."

Read more from Andrew Nikiforuk of the The Tyee about how a lot of Albertans, directly impacted, in fact oppose this coal project.

Resources on how to communicate with others:

• How to talk with neighbours, friends, and family on climate issues (webinar recording).
• Effective Communications on Climate Change (podcast).
• Visual communications advice on wildfires (webinar recording).

Facts Sheets:

• Emissions Cap Fact Sheet.
• Wildfire fact sheet on causes and links to the oil and gas industry.
• Carbon Pricing Fact Sheet.
• How the Carbon Tax Got Alberta Off Coal and Could Reduce Future Wildfires (Podcast).
• Facts on Heat Pumps.
• Canada’s forests haven’t absorbed more carbon than they’ve released since 2001.
• It isn’t arson: untangling climate misinformation around Canada’s raging wildfires & climate crisis made spate of Canada wildfires twice as likely, scientists find.
• CO2 is a pollutant in the case of climate change and human caused CO2 causes climate change – it’s not just 'plant food.'
• More on other common climate myths.

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!

Conor