Thursday Morning Links

This and that for your Thursday reading.

- Saskia O'Donoghue reports on the continued recognition by both risk experts and the general public that the climate crisis is the most important risk to life on Earth. And Laura Paddison reports on the observation by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water that the global water cycle is out of balance for the first time in recorded history, while Lori Dajose writes about new research showing that melting permafrost could cause rapid changes of course for rivers in the Arctic region. 

- The Climate Historian examines the manipulative individualization of responsibility for environmental issues that can only be met at the societal level. And Jean Schmitt et al. study how a transition to electric vehicles could produce population-level health benefits - as long as it's accompanied by a shift to clean power as well.

- David Climenhaga calls out Danielle Smith for using public money to serve as an outside advertiser for the federal Cons, while Max Fawcett notes that the ad campaign itself is based on false math. Jen St. Denis documents who's behind the BC Cons, including their word-for-word adoption of a platform developed by a right-wing pressure group assembled by people found to be too extreme by the former BC Libs. And Luke LeBrun reports on the warning from the BC Teachers' Federation as to the BC Cons' plans to attack LGBTQ+ students. 

- Ricardo Tranjan writes that the desperate lack of affordable housing can be traced largely to the decision by governments to cater to developers seeking "market" profits rather than building homes directly. And Mike Moffatt notes that there's some opportunity to reduce the cost of home construction by updating a GST rebate program. 

- Finally, Adam King discusses how the federal government's decision to force workers back to the office was based on complete disregard for the benefits of remote work.

Sunday Morning Links

This and that for your Sunday reading.

- Joelle Gergis offers a reminder that we're running out of time to avert a climate calamity - and that the only reasonable goal is a rapid push toward zero emissions, not yet another decades-away "net zero" target divorced from any action which could possibly result in its achievement. Umair Irfan discusses how solar energy is far exceeding even the most optimistic projections in both price and deployment, making any fossil fuel-based power generation (or delay tactics built around nuclear distractions) into a clear financial loser for everybody but the oil and gas sector. And Abdul Martin Safraz reports on the Toronto Transit Commission's refusal of false advertising from the fossil fuel sector as an example worth emulating.

- Meanwhile, Jon Queally reports on the pesticide industry's use of public money to target people who dare to point out the environmental and health harms caused by chemical pollution. 

- Polly Thompson discusses how the executive-driven edicts requiring full-time in-office work reflect the real-world consequences of a corporate echo chamber. And John Quiggin notes that the objective success of remote work only shows how the CEO class doesn't deserve the level of entitlement it's claimed - and indeed seems to serve little useful purpose at all.

- Finally, Thomas Zimmer highlights how Project 2025 is shifting votes toward Democrats by providing rare advance warning of what the Republicans plan to do if handed any more power.

Thursday Evening Links

This and that for your Thursday reading.

- Bill Weir writes a poignant letter of apology to his son about the state of the planet being left to future generations. 

- Cory Doctorow is optimistic that we have the means to avert the worst dangers of the climate crisis - subject to the immense "if" that capitalist avarice can't be allowed to get in the way. And Mitchell Beer and Christopher Bonasia report on the Canadian Climate Institute's warning that expanded fossil gas infrastructure will be stranded under any scenario that involves meeting even our existing emission targets.

- Meanwhile, new research from the University of Bristol shows how the global effort to protect and rebuild the ozone layer has succeeded.

- Jennifer Collins examines how return-to-office mandates drive away employees. And Manuela Vega reports on new Statistics Canada data showing that remote work produces immense benefits for personal well-being.

- Keldon Bester examines how Canada's big banks are using their privileged position to extract billions of dollars out of Canadians every year.

- Finally, Linda McQuaig offers a reminder that Pierre Poilievre's plans for systematic cruelty and austerity bear no relationship to what Canadian voters (including those who are justifiably dissatisfied with the Libs) actually want.