As the 30th annual United Nations climate action gathering approaches in Brazil, former Canadian environment minister Catherine McKenna emphasizes that the climate crisis is worsening. In an interview coinciding with the release of her final report as chair of the United Nations High-Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities, McKenna stated, "Climate isn’t going away … it’s getting worse all the time."

She highlighted alarming trends, noting that the past year has seen record-breaking temperatures. "Too many countries have failed to deliver on the promises they made in Paris, and emissions continue to rise, making it more likely we will overshoot the 1.5 C target," she said. McKenna also pointed to the recent summer wildfires in Canada, which led to the evacuation of 85,000 people from their communities.

Despite her assertions, McKenna's conclusion raises questions about the effectiveness of current climate policies. She argues that the world must continue to pursue the same strategies that have been in place for decades. However, with rising emissions and increasing climate-related disasters, some experts are calling for a reevaluation of these approaches.

In a notable shift, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney recently signed an agreement that marks a departure from the confrontational tactics of the previous administration under Justin Trudeau. Smith described the deal as a positive step, stating, "I would say seven out of nine isn’t bad," referring to the concessions Alberta could gain.

Carney, recognized for his climate expertise, appears to view the agreement as a pragmatic response to the shortcomings of past environmental policies. McKenna acknowledged Carney's knowledge, saying, "Mark Carney knows more about climate than almost anyone."

The new agreement suggests a recognition that years of environmental summits and stringent policies have not yielded the desired outcomes. Critics argue that the previous strategies have placed a heavy burden on economic productivity and growth without achieving significant climate progress.

Meanwhile, a report from the non-profit Environics Institute indicates a shift in public concern regarding climate change in Canada. Over the past five years, climate fears have diminished in priority among Canadians, with only one in 20 identifying climate change as the most pressing issue facing the country. Instead, many Canadians are more focused on economic challenges, such as the rising cost of living and housing affordability.

This trend spans across political parties and regions, with the exception of the North. The report suggests that the growing economic concerns may be influencing public perception of climate issues, leading to a decline in urgency surrounding climate action.