Greta Thunberg's radical climate change fairy tale is exactly the story we need

Swedish activist and student Greta Thunberg, centre, takes part in the Climate Strike in Montreal on Friday, Sept. 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Jennifer Ellen Good, Brock University

It has been just over a year since 16-year-old Greta Thunberg started her “school strike for climate” outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm. Since then, she has spoken to increasingly large crowds — including most recently in Montréal.

But there are many reasons why people are still talking about Thunberg’s Sept. 23 speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. She spoke with knowledge, clarity and passion well beyond her years.

What I find especially significant about the talk is her inclusion of a critique of economic growth in the climate change story frame. “We are in the beginning of mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth,” Thunberg said.

Scholars and activists share Thunberg’s concerns about the current system of endless economic growth. For example, Prof. David Barash powerfully equates endless growth to a Ponzi scheme. It is a system, he says, “predicated on the illusion that it will always be possible to make future payments owing to yet more exploitation down the road.”

Economist Juliet Schor similarly warns about the resource depletion implications for economic growth. She highlights that endless growth will lead to “blowback… which is now happening with the climate system, oceans and forests.”

Prof. Thomas Homer-Dixon succinctly offers that “it’s becoming increasingly clear that endless material growth is incompatible with the long-term viability of Earth’s environment.” And writer Naomi Klein refers to the “god of economic growth,” powerfully proposing that “our economic system and our planetary system are now at war.”

Where are the stories?

Thoughtful and well-researched scholarship makes clear that economic growth and environmental crises are related. And yet non-academic writing linking endless growth economics and climate change is almost non-existent.

I have conducted a content analysis on the Canadian Major Dailies database. In the 12 months prior to Thunberg’s talk there were 850 newspaper articles (including opinion editorials and letters) with “climate change” in the headline. Of these, 372 — or 44 per cent — were related to the economy. And yet only one letter to the editor raised concerns about economic growth in the era of climate change.

This is what makes Thunberg’s mention of “fairy tales of eternal economic growth” so remarkable — she put economic growth and climate change into the same frame.

It is easy to think that economic growth is essential — that we have always had growth at the core of economic policy. But scholars point out that this is not the case. Bill McKibben and Peter Victor point out that our “fixation” on economic growth as an “explicit object of government policy” began in the mid-20th century.

And in those 50 years, McKibben highlights that economic growth has not only devastated the planet, but also fostered inequity, insecurity and “is no longer making us happy.”

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Read more: The counter-intuitive solution to getting people to care about climate change

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Cognitive scientist and linguist George Lakoff offers that “all of our knowledge makes use of frames, and every word is defined through the frames it neurally activates. All thinking and talking involves frames .”

In other words, we understand and act upon climate change based on what has been framed with the climate change stories we are told.

Time to change the story frames

The good news is that climate change stories can change. Not that long ago, there were few stories about climate change. Today, the number has dramatically increased.

Until recently, there were not many stories that linked climate change to extreme weather events. Increasingly, these stories are being told.

Climate change activist Greta Thunberg on the Malizia II boat off Plymouth, England, Wed. Aug. 14, 2019. AP Photo

Now it is time to question economics and foster discussions about the hard decisions and changes that need to be made. It is clear that we cannot simply consume differently — we must consume less.

Now it is time to frame climate change stories with eternal economic growth critiques. Now is the time for climate change frames that question whether a finite planet can sustain eternal growth. Now is the time for climate change frames to include voices like Klein’s, who proposes that “the frenetic and indiscriminate consumption of essentially disposable products can no longer be the system’s goal.”

And now is the time to be grateful for a 16-year-old who sailed across the ocean and dared to tell the world’s leaders that the fairy tale must end.

[ You’re smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversation’s authors and editors. You can read us daily by subscribing to our newsletter. ]

Jennifer Ellen Good, Associate Professor Communication, Popular Culture and Film, Brock University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Site C Cost Overruns?

Aside from all the other issues related to this ill-conceived project, it has seemed from the outset that this hydro development project was going to be way over the projected costs.  Not least because of the instability of the area of the valley in which it is being constructed.

The following Alaska Hightway News link draws attention to the matters that may contribute to additional costs, but also points out that the government and Hydro are being much less that forthcoming about the actual expenditures.

Site C Cost Overruns?

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

Henrietta S Leavitt is yet another woman who has been dismissed from much in the way of fame.  Not unlike the stories in the recent film, "Hidden Figures", Henrietta played a pivotal role in her field, astronomy.  But, because she was a woman, not only was her contribution truncated by not being given the same access to equipment as her male counterparts, but she remains relatively unacknowledged in the way, for example, Edwin Hubble has been by having the famous Hubble Telescope named after him.

Henrietta has her name on a moon crater and an asteroid.......😢

Seems a sad joke.  And so continuously repeated.

Canada's Carbon Price Legislation

As I write this blog note, for the last few days I have been sampling presentations before the Ontario Court of Appeal, regarding a reference on the matter of Canada's carbon pricing legislation.

I am first of all grateful that the court decided to make these proceeding available to the general public, apparently with the cooperation of the Canadian Broadcasing Corporation (CBC):

Day 1  https://youtu.be/NoaQZy4VO9c

 Day 2 https://youtu.be/_v5TLRY00Ug

Day 3 https://youtu.be/-QjUOx0Oxe8


I have no idea what the court will ultimately decided.

However, I come away from my three days of legal voyeurism with a very strong sense of pride (is that the right word?) about the dignified, mindful, and careful way in which my country (via this particular modality) is wrestling with this whole matter. 

In this few days, I have learned much more about the nuances of Canadian law and about climate policy than I have probably learned in several years of so-called news coverage. These presenters (not to mention the panel) are all wonderfully-bright Canadians.

Would that our politicians were as mindful.

Kernza

It seems to me, this is an idea whose time has come:

https://landinstitute.org/our-work/perennial-crops/

A return to the future.

"Mother"

Nuff said, I think......

https://youtu.be/JLNr95zE5yA

Indigenous Jurisdiction

In Canada, many First Nations are governed by two legislative/political/administrative levels. 

For comparison, this is perhaps not unlike multi-level legislative/political/administrative arrangements in 'mainstream' Canadian society. For example, the distinction between municipal and provincial governments.  Or Federal and Provincial.

This distinction is pointed out in a recent article "Corporations Don't Seem to Understand Indigenous Jurisdiction."

The article explicitly points out that this Indigenous two-level governance has been recognized by The Supreme Court of Canada.  But the existence of this jurisdictional fact seems invariably to be ignored, either out of ignorance or willful neglect, by resource development firms and 'mainstream' governments.

In many Indigenous settings, the traditional chiefs have overall jurisdiction over traditional territory and their population; elected chiefs (a role created by The Indian Act) are like municipal governments, and have jurisdiction over (often small) 'reserves' created under The Indian Act.  Just as is often the case in conventional shared jurisdiction, Companies need to deal with both levels of governance.

What is so hard to understand?  Unless one does not want to.

Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould

I cannot say that I ever found her, as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, to be the most effective political communicator, especially early in her mandate, when appointment of new judges appeared to be taking forever.  But from the list of accomplishments below, she does appear to have been effective at her job.

By posting here, I wanted to preserve [who knows how long she will actually have access to an MP's web site on which the below statement appears] her actual statement and listing.  On an annual basis, it would be good to see something similar from all members of any government cabinet.

In the case of this decision by the Prime Minister to transfer Wilson-Raybould, I think he has made a major mistake -- in political optics if nothing else.  The new appointment to be Minister of Justice and Attorney General seems eminently well qualified.  But he is neither Indigenous, nor a woman.  In the presence of Wilson-Raybould's list of legislative and policy accomplishments, this new cabinet arrangement seems to leave hollow at the core the political gesture of her original appointment.  

There is some hint that, for some, she just got too uppity.  Nothing like a successful woman and indigenous person to make some feel that way.

January 14, 2019  Statement from the Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould

"I have received many questions and inquiries about the Cabinet shuffle announced today and why I am no longer the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Thank you for all the kind words. While I can understand the interest of Canadians in this matter, I will not be commenting. In our system, decisions regarding the appointment of Cabinet Ministers are the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

Moving forward, I am very proud to be the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. Any opportunity to serve and support Canada’s Veterans is a great honour, and I look forward to meeting with Veterans across the country, engaging with the crucial matters that must be addressed, and continuing our Government’s progress to support and honour Canada’s Veterans.

I do, however, on leaving the office of Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada (MOJAG) wish to share with Canadians some reflections about my time in that office.

Serving Canadians as MOJAG for the past three plus years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I was directed in my mandate letter to pursue and achieve a broad, progressive, and ambitious agenda and I am tremendously proud of our accomplishments. There is very little, if anything, in my mandate letter we have not done or is not well under way to completing, and we have also achieved much beyond it. I have attached an overview of these accomplishments to this statement. I thank my amazing Minister’s office staff and the hardworking and dedicated public servants within the Department of Justice for their tireless work and for so ably supporting the advancement of our agenda. I also thank the residents of Vancouver Granville, and all Canadians who have been overwhelmingly kind, generous, and supportive as we worked together to help build an ever stronger and more just Canada. This work goes on, and I remain dedicated to it, whatever public or private roles I may play.

I firmly believe that as a result of our achievements, the state of the justice system in Canada is stronger and better positioned today than when our Government took office. Most importantly, the ongoing work of protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of Canadians has advanced. As I have said before, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada is in many ways an ambassador for the Charter.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada is somewhat distinct from other Cabinet Ministers because the role is a dual one. The Minister of Justice is the legal advisor to Cabinet. In this capacity, the Minister is concerned with the administration of justice, including policy in the areas of criminal law, family law, human rights law, and Indigenous justice. The role of the Attorney General of Canada carries with it unique responsibilities to uphold the rule of law and the administration of justice, and as such demands a measure of principled independence. It is a pillar of our democracy that our system of justice be free from even the perception of political interference and uphold the highest levels of public confidence. As such, it has always been my view that the Attorney General of Canada must be non-partisan, more transparent in the principles that are the basis of decisions, and, in this respect, always willing to speak truth to power. This is how I served throughout my tenure in that role.

At a time when the functioning of democracies around the globe is increasingly under strain, and democratic norms are in peril, the unique and independent aspects of the dual role of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada are even more important. I know Canadians across the country expect such high standards to continue to be met – especially in the uncertain times in which we now live – and I expect this to continue.

With respect to Indigenous issues, as MOJAG, I have publicly expressed my opinions in various venues about the ongoing challenges in transforming what the Prime Minister has stated is the “most important” relationship, that between Canada and Indigenous peoples. One of my main motivations for seeking public office was to see the work of reconciliation accelerate and advance in real and tangible ways.

The work that must be done is well known. We have the solutions. Indigenous peoples have advocated and brought forward what must be done for decades. Countless Commissions, studies, reports, and analyses have reiterated the work we must do together to reconcile.

The foundation for moving forward is understanding that the dire social and economic realities that Indigenous peoples continue to face – including lack of clean drinking water, over representation in the criminal justice system, inadequate housing, high rates of poverty, and violence against Indigenous women and girls – are directly linked to legislative and policy regimes that have disempowered and divided Indigenous peoples, eroded their systems of governance, laws, and responsibilities, harmed their economies, and denied their basic rights and systems. Long overdue legislative and policy changes based on the recognition of title and rights, including historic treaties, are urgently needed, so that Indigenous peoples can accelerate and lead the work of re-building their Nations and governments, and a new climate of co-operative relations can emerge.

While our government has taken some very important steps, and hard work is being done, the necessary shifts have not yet been fully achieved. Rather, a number of the proposals that our government has been pursuing so far require substantial work in co-operation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples to reset the new foundations for this most important relationship.

As a Member of Cabinet, I will continue to be directly engaged in advocating for and advancing the fundamental shifts in relations with Indigenous peoples that are required and will continue to work with my colleagues and to ensure my voice is heard.

Again, I express my deepest gratitude to the residents of Vancouver Granville, and all Canadians, who have shown me such kindness, patience, and support over the past three plus years, and I am excited to continue to build a better Canada alongside you in the days and months ahead as the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

Gilakas’la,

Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville

ANNEX:

LEGLISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS:

As Minister of Justice, introduced 13 pieces of legislation:

Bill C-14 – In conjunction with the Minister of Health, passed legislation that responded to the Supreme Court of Canada’s Carter decision that gives Canadian adults with a grievous and irremediable medical condition the choice of a medically-assisted death.

Bill C-16 – Groundbreaking human rights legislation that added gender identity and expression as a prohibited ground for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, and to the list of distinguishing characteristics of “identifiable group” protected by the hate speech provisions of the Criminal Code.

Bill C-45 – In conjunction with the Ministers of Health and Public Safety, passed legislation to legalize, strictly regulate and restrict access to cannabis for adults.

Bill C-46 – In conjunction with the Minister of Public Safety, passed the companion legislation to the Cannabis Act, which toughens laws on drug and alcohol impaired driving. Also authorized the use of the Draeger, the first roadside oral screening device regarding drug use.

Bill C-51 – Legislated the first major update to sexual assault laws in over 25 years. It also legislated the requirement of Charter Statements to accompany each piece of government legislation, and repealed a number of redundant provisions of the Criminal Code.

Bill C-60 – Passed the Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act (the 12th of its kind), an Act to correct certain anomalies, inconsistencies and errors and to deal with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes of Canada and to repeal certain Acts and provisions that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to have effect.

Bill C-75 (currently before the Senate) – Our government’s legislative response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Jordan. It contains a comprehensive package of criminal justice system reforms and is the outcome of a review of the changes in our criminal justice system and sentencing reforms over the past decade. It also implements our platform commitments to toughen criminal laws and bail conditions in cases of domestic assault, in consultation with stakeholders and with the goal of keeping survivors and children safe.

As well, Bill C-75 reintroduces legislative amendments from the following four bills:

Bill C-28: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (victim surcharge);

Bill C-38: An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons); and

Bill C-39: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (unconstitutional provisions) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (this bill also included Bill C-32, An Act related to the repeal of section 159 (anal intercourse) of the Criminal Code).

Bill C-78 (currently before the Senate) – The first substantial update of Canada’s federal family laws in over 20 years, which will put the best interests of children first, address family violence, reduce child poverty, and make Canada’s family justice system more accessible and efficient.

Bill C-84 (currently in the House of Commons) – Strengthens the law on bestiality and animal cruelty, and responds to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v. D.L.W.

For each piece of Justice legislation, as well as some other Government bills, introduced in the House of Commons an accompanying Charter Statement outlining how the bill potentially engages Canadians’ Charter rights.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS:

Overhauled the federal judicial appointments process, including the process of appointing Supreme Court Justices, to ensure that it is transparent, inclusive and accountable to Canadians.

As a result of that process, appointed 250 judges across Canada including a record number of 104 appointments in 2018. Of those, more than 56% are women, eight are Indigenous, twenty-two are members of visible minority communities, twelve identify as LGBTQ2S, and three identify as persons with disabilities. Created 75 new judicial positions across Canada responding to the needs of Canadians and the courts.

Expanded Unified Family Courts in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Conducted a Criminal Justice System Review that included diverse consultations and round-tables across Canada.

Invested in victim’s services and access to justice for victims and families through the Victim’s Fund.

Reviewed our government’s litigation strategy, ending appeals, changing positions or settling cases where it was appropriate to do so.

Issued a prosecutorial directive on HIV non-disclosure cases to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, to make our justice system fairer and to reduce the stigmatization of Canadians living with HIV.

Issued Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples.

For the first time, published an annual Litigation Year in Review document in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Issued a Directive on Civil Litigation ‎Involving Indigenous Peoples, which will guide Canada’s legal approaches, positions and decisions taken in civil litigation involving Aboriginal and treaty rights and the Crown’s obligation towards Indigenous peoples.

Supported the Minister of Canadian Heritage in the restoration of a modern Court Challenges Program.

Led delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s third Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, a review of Canada’s human rights record by United Nations member states. Was the first time Canada sent a cabinet-level head-of-delegation.

Initiated the first meetings of federal-provincial-territorial Ministers responsible for human rights in nearly 30 years.

Spoke to the UK House of Lords, with an introduction by the Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell.

Delivered the Annual Reconciliation Lecture at the Australian National University in 2016, the first non-Australian to do so.

Opened the 15th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2016, with a speech on Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the need for free, prior and informed consent.

Delivered the annual Campagnolo Lecture on Restorative Justice, 2018."

Overproduction

We are on the transition period from 2018 to 2019. 

At the end of 2018, the constant drum beat from Albertans was that Alberta-produced hydrocarbons are "locked in" and suffering in price because the product cannot get to market.  Well, this is patently not true.  Fossil fuels from Alberta continue to flow to markets at an unprecedented rate. 

But the price had plunged.  Why?

Basic economics -- supply and demand.  When there is a glut of product, the price goes down.......

Regardless, the cry has been fore increased pipeline capacity.  Even in the face of a world-wide oil glut.

So, the Alberta government moved legislatively to cap production.  In other words, sin of all sins: to "leave product in the ground".  Even a strategy approved by the provincial conservative government in waiting.

In the first few days of 2019, as the caps move into effect, low-and-behold, the price received for Alberta product has increased dramatically. 

The differential of price between the Alberta product price and the North American benchmark price is at its lowest level in years.

THE PRICE PROBLEM is not a matter ofpipeline access.  The problem is OVERPRODUCTION.

What ever happened to the idea that we were to wean ourselves off fossil fuels?

1976 - How Ontario Achieved Its Imperial Position

This article by William Y. Smith, has a lot about it that rings true.  Forty-two years later, things do not seem terribly different.

In the digital age, when communication is virtually instant, and where the great Canadian geography could often be worked to commercial advantage, for some reason, the country still clusters primarily in the "Golden Horseshoe".  Curious when we are long past the ascendancy of the horse.