Climate Change

Our changing climate poses a severe threat to both human wellbeing and that of the many animals, plants and insects that inhabit our planet. The Sierra Club Canada Foundation works on both the national and the local level to reduce greenhouse gasses and to promote sustainable energy practices.

Protecting whales and water on World Oceans Day and every day.

Melissa Munro — June 12, 2017

Few things are as spectacular and awe-inducing as a breaching humpback whale.

The sheer enormity of their body, with such strength and grace – blasting out of the water, seeming to defy the laws of gravity even just for a moment – is enough to take your breath away. It’s acrobatics and ballet on the largest scale, with a splash down that is out of this world!

It’s what they do, and it is what they have done for millennia.

Welcome home blue whales!

Gretchen Fitzgerald — March 28, 2017

I'm devastated to report that the licence for oil and gas drilling has been approved in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and there’s not one thing whales can do to stop it.

We're not giving up and neither are they.

At this very moment – mile by mile, heading north – they’re coming back.

Over the next few weeks, blue whales will be making their way back to Canadian waters.

Trump's lump of coal

Mary Kainer — December 14, 2016

Breathing is easier “beyond coal.”

In 2007, before the shut down of the coal-fired power generating plants in Ontario, there were 29 smog days and 11 smog advisories in Toronto.  It seemed that almost every hot day there was choking smog.  At that time, I couldn’t even escape to my cottage in the Kawarthas.  That same year, there were 21 smog days and 8 smog advisories in Peterborough County.

In light of the decisions on pipelines, I wanted to share with you my address at our AGM last weekend: GRASSROOTS AFTER THE QUAKE

Gretchen Fitzgerald — December 1, 2016

It's been a tempestuous month.

In the last weeks, two world events have shaken our world and will continue shake up our work in the year ahead.

In Marrakesh, world leaders and civil society gathered to push for implementation of The Paris Agreement. The event has exceeded expectations: entry onto force of The Paris Agreement ahead of schedule, over 175 nations signing the agreement, 47 countries committing to 100% clean energy between 2030 and 2050.

These whales cannot go to court

Melissa Munro — August 17, 2016

In just the last few days, 1,347 concerned people like you have signed and sent a letter asking the government not to settle with a New Jersey company who has been thwarted from developing a destructive quarry in the Bay of Fundy.

Because of you, we have been an instrumental force on this campaign since the beginning, and we’re not going anywhere. But we need your help!

GTA West Corridor Poisoned Dagger Aimed at Lake Ontario

John Bacher — July 26, 2019

When the Minister of Transportation, Steven Del Duca, announced the termination of an environmental assessment for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) West Corridor in December of 2015, those who cherish the earth in Ontario gave a great sigh of relief. The proposed 50 kilometer-long expressway planned to slash through entirely environmental and agricultural zones, much of which is protected by the Greenbelt. The plan was a salt tipped dagger on Lake Ontario. 

OPEN LETTER on Bill C-69 and the Role of Offshore Petroleum Boards

Gretchen Fitzgerald — June 13, 2019

June 13, 2019

 

Dear Ministers McKenna, Sohi, and Wilkinson,

 

The new Impact Assessment Act, Bill C69, will make environmental assessments for offshore oil and gas activities in Atlantic Canada have even less credibility than they do now.

 

The draft amendments to the bill introduced in the House of Commons on June 12 will allow offshore petroleum boards to chair review panels that will assess offshore oil and gas projects.

 

New Ontario Government Energy Legislation Favours Big Business Over Consumers and the Environment

Kristina Jackson's picture
Kristina Jackson — April 16, 2019

By David Poch, Green Energy Coalition

On March 21st Ontario Minister of Energy, Greg Rickford, released Bill 87, entitled Fixing the Hydro Mess. But rather than sustainably reducing consumer bills in Ontario it will enlarge the economic and environmental mess that past energy policies are visiting on the province.