National Snow and Ice Data Centre director Mark Serreze points to melting ice in the arctic and increasing temperatures as being the direct result of climate change. It is the only thing that can be causing it. It’s also responsible for increased storms, droughts and wildfires across North America. The melting in Antarctica will certainly continue for the rest of this century. In fact, it may be irreversible.

We’ve already seen this has serious consequences for humanity and the various fish and animal species we share the planet with. This is why it’s so vital that we understand this is a climate crisis, and even more important for governments around the world to live up to their promises in the Paris Agreement.

The Liberal government has promised a growth plan that includes $2.5 billion for clean power and storage, $2 billion for building energy retrofits, $2 billion to extend broadband access to underserved communities, $1.5 billion for zero-emission buses, and $1.5 billion for agriculture infrastructure. This isn’t nearly enough, but it’s a step in the right direction if it happens. In April, it was announced, “Canada has signed on to a G20 energy communiqué led by Saudi Arabia that endorses fossil industry bailouts, contains not a single use of the word “climate”, makes no reference to the G20’s now 11-year-old promise to phase out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies, and endorses the host country’s perverse definition of a “circular carbon economy” that is long on unproven carbon capture technologies and short on meaningful commitments to actual decarbonization.

“Carbon is not the enemy,” insisted Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman when he introduced the circular carbon strategy earlier this year.”

In other words, they are going to use unproven strategies to try and limit emissions, but in the end, they’re still pumping out the oil that is destroying the world. The 11-year-old promise to phase out “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies isn’t going to happen at all.

Minister for Natural Resources, Seamus O’Regan, released the following statement:

“G20 countries share an understanding that the security and economic prosperity of our people is tied to a well-functioning, stable energy market. That shared understanding was apparent in the discussions that took place today about multilateral solutions to oil price instability. We made a collective commitment to use all available tools to improve stability, as well as the creation of a short-term Focus Group, tasked with ensuring and reporting on coordinated response measures.

“Canada is the fourth-largest oil producer in the world. This sector of the economy powers more than 1,000 companies, which support over 3,500 businesses in the services sector and the jobs of more than 576,000 people, including 11,000 Indigenous people, in every part of Canada. The energy sector is also a critical component of Canada’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

It seems our future is locked and loaded.