Best environmental journalism of the past few weeks: the election and beyond
How the climate was debated (or not...), what Mark Carney and the Liberals victory means, groundbreaking reporting on ice roads and the impact of Trump's presidency on our environment.
Hello dear subscribers,
You might ask yourself what the new Canadian government, elected just last Monday, means for the environment. Carbon Paper explored what the media says about it and found this story by the always relevant The Narwhal. We think it sums it up pretty well! Time also published a call from experts to new Prime Minister Mark Carney: "Think big,” they say. La Presse reports the reaction from activists and experts.
You will find in the current edition of the newsletter more from the best climate angles covered during the campaign, but also lots of non-electoral coverage, including investigations and features we believe are worth your time.
Amelie and the team at Carbon Paper
Best environmental journalism of the past few weeks: the election and beyond
by Claudia Beaudoin
Indigenous News
The Guardian shared the story of Donald Meeseetawageesic, who got stuck with his brother on the winter road leading to Eabametoong First Nation in northern Ontario. These seasonal ice roads are a vital link for over 50 Indigenous communities, used to bring in everything from building materials to food and fuel. But as winters grow warmer, the roads are becoming less dependable. A National Observer’s special report offers a closer look at how climate change is shortening the season and adding strain on remote communities.
Investigation
Other environmental battles are playing out quietly online. In a two-part series, Canada’s National Observer revealed how a network of anonymous Facebook pages tied to a Conservative-connected PR firm quietly spent over $150,000 pushing pro-oil ads in Ontario. ç
Meanwhile, in a joint report, The Narwhal and the Investigative Journalism Foundation revealed that B.C.’s energy regulator quietly granted Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. an exemption for more than 4,300 inactive pipelines—allowing the company to delay legally required decommissioning. The decision was never made public.
Longform
In a deeply reported feature, The Walrus examined Plastic Bank, a Canadian company offering plastic credits to brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Set in the Philippines, the story follows waste pickers whose livelihoods now depend on this emerging system, which one critic says allows companies to appear green without reducing plastic production.
Fire season keeps getting worse—and yet most homeowners in fire-prone areas still aren’t taking the steps that could save their homes. In a compelling feature, The Narwhal looked at why.
What happens when the sound of Canadian nature starts to fade? In this feature from The Link, a drop in birdsong becomes a warning sign.
Trump
South of the border, Trump’s return to power is already reshaping the climate beat.
In this profile from La Revue des médias, Guardian correspondent Gabrielle Canon reflected on how her work as a climate journalist has changed since January.
Energy projects across the U.S. are feeling the squeeze of tariffs. In this Radio-Canada analysis, Étienne Leblanc unpacks how Trump’s escalating trade measures risk derailing not just Biden’s clean energy agenda, but also the oil and gas boom Trump himself wants to fuel.
In a provocative op-ed by La Presse, energy expert Pierre-Olivier Pineau argues that the U.S. president’s chaotic economic policies may end up curbing global emissions more effectively than intended.
Elections
Radio-Canada found climate has dropped down the list of voter concerns. Energy, not emissions, dominated the conversation, with leaders focused on pipelines and trade tensions over environmental action.
Echoing that shift, a separate report by Radio-Canada noted how party leaders have barely mentioned the environment on the campaign trail.
In La Presse, over 100 mayors from across the country urged federal leaders to adopt a five-part climate plan focused on clean infrastructure, housing, and disaster response. Their proposal calls for redirecting fossil fuel subsidies—and leaving pipeline expansion behind.
For a broader view of how climate fits into this election, CBC News offered a detailed interactive comparing the platforms of Canada’s main parties.
Research
A recent analysis highlighted by Agence Science-Presse shows that traditional media in France is playing some parts in spreading misinformation. In just three months, researchers identified 128 verified instances of climate disinformation across major TV and radio networks.
Extras
Looking to keep your next getaway low-carbon and closer to home? Globe Climate, an environmental newsletter by The Globe and Mail, offers a Canadian travel guide for the conscientious traveler.
In Quebec, the climate crisis is showing up in unexpected places: hospital wards, forest floors, even the minds of those living through disaster. This Télé-Québec documentary stays close to the scientists and doctors seeing the health impacts unfold in real time, often with little support, and a growing urgency.
The Climate and the Media in Canada newsletter is brought to you by Concordia Journalism associate professor Amélie Daoust-Boisvert and her team. It’s made possible because of support from the Centre for Journalism Experimentation (JEX). Questions, feedback? Reach out at cmrconcordia@gmail.com
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This month, the newsletter is signed by Claudia Beaudoin and Amélie Daoust-Boisvert. Brianna Losinger-Ross coordinated the publication. Editor-in-chief and editor is Amélie Daoust-Boisvert.