Opinion: The Thinking Person's Guide To Climate Change

Columnists

Published Sep 14, 2023 • 3 minute read

Climate rally Edmonton students rally outside the Alberta Legislature as part of a school walkout and strike to demand the Federal government, Provincial government and Canada’s big Banks divest from fossil fuels, in Edmonton Friday March 3, 2023. Approximately 40 people, including university and high school students, took part in the rally which marched from Edmonton City Hall to the Legislature. Photo By David Bloom Photo by David Bloom /Postmedia

I feel compelled to address and counter David Staples recent column, “The Thinking Women’s Guide to Climate Change,” published in the Edmonton Journal on Sept. 1. In his piece, Mr. Staples promotes questionable science and displays a distressing lack of sensitivity towards the countless women worldwide leading the charge for climate justice.

At a time when climate-change-induced wildfires are wreaking havoc in various parts of the world, from Hawaii to the Northwest Territories and Kelowna, the timing of Mr. Staples’ article could not have been more tone-deaf. Let us not forget that July 2023 marked the hottest summer on record, making it imperative for us all to recognize the very real consequences of climate breakdown.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.
Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.
Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters.
Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account.
Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.

REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.

The heart-wrenching headlines, photos, and videos depicting the impacts of climate change on our planet leave no room for denial. Extreme weather events have tragically claimed the lives of two million people and resulted in over four trillion dollars in economic damages over the past half-century, according to the UN News.

Staples insinuates that the 97-per-cent consensus among scientists on human-induced climate change is tainted by “activism.” He argues that this should invalidate their claims, a flawed stance that attempts to create a false division between supposed “activist” and “objective” scientists — a division unsupported by any credible evidence. University of Alberta political scientist Laurie Adkin says suggesting that climate scientists are politically or ideologically motivated is a disingenuous tactic: “Are the doctors who warn us about the dangers of smoking also ‘activists?’ “

Mr. Staples’ claim that solar and wind energy are driving up consumer prices is also highly questionable. In fact, solar and wind energy have become more cost-effective per watt than gas. “Even without carbon pricing, wind power is projected to be 40 percent cheaper than gas-generated power in both provinces by 2030. Solar power has already become cheaper than natural gas power in Alberta and is on track to be 16 per cent less expensive by the end of the decade,” says Clean Energy Canada.

Edmonton Journal

Thanks for signing up!

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Electrical grid issues, such as the 2021 winter storm in Texas, were primarily due to reliance on natural gas, not renewable energies. Mr. Staples’ representation of current policy proposals, implying that the federal government seeks to dismantle the power grid, is a gross mischaracterization of the situation.

As University of Alberta environmental sociology professor Debra Davidson points out, climate science has inherent uncertainty, as is the case with all scientific endeavours. However, Judith Curry’s approach to climate science is dubious at best, and singling her out as the only one with the “right” judgment is questionable.

Imagine if we listen to the climate models and make changes to how we produce food, create energy, and interact with our communities, but the models are wrong. Now, think about the opposite scenario. What if we assume the climate models are incorrect and do nothing, but they are correct?

Wouldn’t it be better to take action and adapt to a changing climate, even if there’s some uncertainty, than to risk doing nothing and potentially facing the severe consequences of climate change?

Advertisement 4

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

The title of Mr. Staples’ piece, “The Thinking Women’s Guide to Climate Change,” implies that he believes he can determine which women are “thinking” and which are merely reacting emotionally. Mr. Staples seems to suggest that only “irrational” or “overly emotional” female activists care about the future of our planet, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Many scientists, academics, politicians of various genders and ages are also worried about the deterioration of Earth’s ecosystems.

What about inspiring politicians like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn, who advocate for a Green New Deal?

While the current state of affairs may appear grim, it’s not too late for meaningful climate action. I encourage Mr. Staples to join the Sept. 15 climate strike: 12 p.m. at the U of A Quad; perhaps then, he’ll realize that caring about the most pressing issue of our century isn’t confined to a select group of “unthinking” women. Climate change affects us all — regardless of gender. We need to address it with the urgency it demands.

Additionally, I urge everyone to explore the valuable resources available at regeneration.org for further insights and actions on climate change mitigation.

Kieran Fong is a new journalism graduate and documentary filmmaker who covers Canadian stories about social justice. With contribution from Melanie Hoffman, associate director of Alberta Talks.

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.