Addressing Misconceptions: The Reality of Climate Change and Carbon Tax in Canada
Release Date: 11/10/2023
Should We Be Mining the Ocean Floor, The Hidden Costs No One Is Talking About
How To Protect The Ocean
Should We Be Mining the Ocean Floor is a question that sounds futuristic, but the decisions are being made right now, quietly, and with consequences that could last for centuries. Governments and corporations are moving closer to extracting minerals from the deepest parts of the ocean, even though we barely understand the ecosystems that exist there or how damage might ripple through the planet. Deep-sea mining risks go far beyond technology and minerals. This episode breaks down what deep-sea mining actually is, who is pushing it forward, and why international and US processes are advancing...
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Coastal Economy and Tourism Are Being Put at Risk by Offshore Oil Drilling
How To Protect The Ocean
Coastal Economy and Tourism face a serious threat as the US government moves forward with a plan to open more than one billion acres of ocean to offshore oil and gas drilling, a decision that could impact beaches, fisheries, tourism jobs, and coastal communities for decades. This episode explains why this proposal matters now and how it could reshape life along the coasts of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore oil drilling is often framed as an economic benefit, but this conversation reveals a very different reality. Pete Stauffer from the breaks down how tourism, recreation,...
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Wikie and Keijo Orcas: The Breakthrough That Could Save Them, Or Come Too Late
How To Protect The Ocean
Wikie and Keijo Orcas are the last two captive orcas in France, and a major government decision may finally give them a path out of concrete tanks, but the clock is ticking. France has officially backed the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia as their future home, yet this announcement does not mean an immediate rescue. In this episode, we break down what France’s move really means, what still has to happen, and why these two orcas remain in limbo despite years of public pressure. Whale Sanctuary Project Nova Scotia represents one of the most ambitious attempts to move captive whales into...
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US oil and gas drilling: How This Plan Could Put America’s Coasts at Risk for a Generation
How To Protect The Ocean
US oil and gas drilling is once again at the center of a high-stakes decision that could shape America’s coastlines, marine life, and coastal communities for decades. This episode asks a critical question: should the U.S. lock itself into new offshore drilling just as climate risks and ocean damage are accelerating, or is there still time to choose a safer path for the ocean and future generations? Offshore drilling impacts go far beyond fuel production, and Oceana campaign director Joseph Gordon explains why oil spills are not short-term disasters but long-term crises. One of the most...
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Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents: The Hidden World Beneath the Pacific That Shapes Life on Earth
How To Protect The Ocean
Deep sea hydrothermal vents reveal a hidden world where life thrives without sunlight, forcing scientists to rethink how ecosystems can exist in extreme heat, pressure, and darkness. Nearly two kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean, superheated fluids erupt from the seafloor at Endeavour, creating environments that challenge everything we thought we knew about life on Earth and how it survives. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are not isolated deep ocean curiosities, they actively influence the chemistry of the entire Pacific Ocean. In this episode, scientists explain how minerals and iron released...
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Climate Solutions for the Ocean: How Restoring Kelp Forests Could Change the Future of the Seas
How To Protect The Ocean
Climate Solutions for the Ocean are urgently needed as warming seas, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse accelerate faster than most people realize, and one of the most powerful tools may be hiding just beneath the waves. In this episode, Andrew Lewin sits down with Scott Bohachyk, Director of Seaforestation at Ocean Wise, to explore how kelp forests function as underwater life support systems for the ocean, supporting fisheries, stabilizing coastlines, and helping ecosystems recover from climate stress. Kelp forests have declined by up to 50 percent globally, with some regions losing...
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Tree-Free Products Are Disrupting Big Industry and Saving Thousands of Trees
How To Protect The Ocean
Tree-Free Products are disrupting industries that have relied on the same wasteful materials for more than a century, and the shift is happening faster than most people realize. In this episode, we explore how Emerald Ecovations produces over 370 sustainable alternatives without cutting down a single tree, dramatically reducing carbon emissions, water use and ocean-bound pollution. Ralph Bianculli shares why legacy companies resist change and how younger decision-makers are pushing corporate purchasing toward genuine sustainability. Sustainable business is more than a buzzword; it is the...
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Mass penguin die off explained, the shocking truth behind why African penguins are disappearing and what it means for our future
How To Protect The Ocean
Mass penguin die off explained, a crisis that wiped out ninety five percent of some African penguin colonies, raises a heartbreaking question: how does a thriving species fall to fewer than ten thousand breeding pairs and almost no one sees it happening? This episode uncovers the chain reaction that pushed an entire population toward collapse, from vanishing sardines to the brutal timing of the molt that left tens of thousands of penguins starving. One of the most emotional discoveries in the research was that more than sixty thousand penguins died simply because they did not have enough body...
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Marine Wildlife Victory: Why New Protections for Manta Rays and Sharks Change Everything
How To Protect The Ocean
Marine Wildlife Victory raises a powerful question: what does it take to finally protect some of the ocean’s most threatened giants, and why did it take this long? In this episode, you will hear how manta rays, devil rays, and several shark species faced years of intense pressure from overfishing and international trade, and why the world finally agreed they needed stronger protection. The emotional turning point comes when we uncover that manta ray gill plates were so valuable in global markets that populations were declining faster than conservationists could respond. Shark Conservation...
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Northern Right Whale Hope Story: Why the Population Finally Rose and What It Means Next
How To Protect The Ocean
Northern Right Whale crisis: For years, scientists and advocates have watched this critically endangered species decline due to ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and rapid ocean change. This episode asks a crucial question: Does the first population increase in years signal real recovery or just a temporary pause in a long-term crisis, and what must change now to keep that number rising? Whale conservation stories: Oceana campaigner Nora Ives brings clear insights into how monitoring efforts and shifting whale behavior shape our understanding of their future. She explains how...
info_outlineIn this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Andrew discusses the myths and misconceptions surrounding clean energy in Canada. Joined by Jana Elbrecht, a policy advisor with Clean Energy Canada, they aim to debunk these narratives and shed light on the benefits of renewable energy. They explore topics such as the cost-effectiveness of transitioning to clean energy and the impact of carbon taxing.
Tune in to learn more about the importance of clean energy and why it deserves recognition in Canada.
Links mentioned in the episode:
1) https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-canada.html
2) https://cleanenergycanada.org/media-brief-addressing-common-myths-around-renewable-power/
3) https://cleanenergycanada.org/report/a-clean-bill/
4) https://cleanenergycanada.org/households-in-nova-scotia-can-save-up-to-11000-a-year-by-choosing-clean-energy/
In this episode, the guest explores the concept that failing to reach certain targets can actually be seen as an opportunity for growth and acceleration of plans. This perspective is crucial as it promotes a positive mindset and a willingness to learn from setbacks.
The guest emphasizes the importance of not perceiving failure as an ultimate defeat, but rather as a chance to reassess and adjust strategies. They suggest that when targets are not met, it provides an opportunity to reflect on what went wrong and identify areas for improvement.
By reframing failure as an opportunity, both organizations and individuals can approach setbacks with a growth mindset. Instead of becoming discouraged or giving up, they can utilize the experience to learn, adapt, and develop new strategies to achieve their goals.
The guest also highlights the significance of accelerating plans when faced with failure to meet targets. This involves taking decisive action to address the gaps and shortcomings that led to the failure. It may entail implementing new technologies, adopting innovative approaches, or seeking partnerships and collaborations to expedite progress.
Overall, this episode underscores the importance of viewing failure as an opportunity for growth and the acceleration of plans. By embracing this mindset, individuals and organizations can overcome setbacks and continue working towards their goals with renewed determination and resilience.
Furthermore, the episode emphasizes the need for more widespread and informative discussions surrounding climate change and clean energy. Both the host and guest express their appreciation for having the opportunity to discuss these topics on the podcast, as they believe that this type of information is not often discussed on a level that reaches a wide audience. They express a desire to have more conversations like this to help people understand the progress being made toward clean energy and addressing climate change.
The guest, Jana Alberts, mentions that there is a faction in Canada (and likely elsewhere in the world) that opposes taking action on climate change. However, she believes that this opposition stems from a lack of understanding and awareness of the opportunities that clean energy presents. She emphasizes that transitioning to clean energy could be a great opportunity for Canada, especially considering the country's already high percentage of clean electricity compared to other countries like Germany.
The host also expresses frustration with a narrative that undermines the positive aspects of clean energy. They aim to use the podcast as a platform to dispel myths and narratives that may undermine the benefits of clean energy. They firmly believe that clean energy is a viable solution and want to provide informative discussions to counteract any misinformation or doubts surrounding it.
During the episode, the host addresses the existence of myths and narratives that manipulate people into thinking that clean energy is ineffective, which they find frustrating. They wanted to dedicate this episode to debunking these misconceptions and providing accurate information about clean energy. They express frustration with the narrative that pushes against the positive aspects of clean energy.
One of the myths discussed in the episode is the belief that clean energy is expensive. The host asks the guest, Jana Alberts, about the cost of transitioning to clean energy, specifically in terms of purchasing solar panels for roofs or electric vehicles (EVs). Jana explains that the opposite is true and that clean energy is actually becoming more affordable. She points out that this is a common myth they often encounter.
Another myth mentioned is the concern about the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The host asks Jana about the common worry of what happens if the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine. Jana addresses this by highlighting countries like Denmark, which have a high share of renewable energy in their electricity generation without experiencing blackouts or major issues. This example challenges the myth that renewable energy is unreliable.
Overall, the episode aims to debunk these myths and provide accurate information about the effectiveness and affordability of clean energy.