British Columbia Premier David Eby has indicated a willingness to consider a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the province's coast, provided it does not require lifting the existing moratorium on oil tanker traffic in northern British Columbia. Eby made these comments during a recent address, suggesting that shifting the pipeline's destination to the South Coast could be a viable option. However, he acknowledged that this would not eliminate concerns regarding the long-term demand for a new pipeline and its compatibility with the busy Port of Vancouver.

Resource industry expert Tom Gunton emphasized the need for a detailed feasibility assessment to determine if the Port of Vancouver could accommodate such a project. Gunton, who directs the resource and environmental management planning program at Simon Fraser University, noted that Canada’s oil industry has existing infrastructure options, such as the recently completed Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which they may prefer to utilize before pursuing a new pipeline.

In related news, food prices in Canada are projected to rise by as much as six percent in the coming year, driven by factors including trade disputes, changes to the foreign worker program, and climate change. According to the Canada’s Food Price Report 2026, a typical family of four could see their annual food costs increase by nearly $1,000, totaling up to $17,571.79. Lead author Sylvain Charlebois highlighted that this increase would represent a more than 30 percent rise in food prices since 2020.

The report attributes potential price hikes to various factors, including the consumer-led “Buy Canadian” movement and geopolitical tensions. Charlebois also pointed to climate change and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement as significant influences on food prices in 2026.

On a global scale, the United Nations’ intergovernmental panel on climate change has reiterated that human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and livestock farming, are the primary drivers of climate change. The panel warns that greenhouse gas emissions are causing unprecedented warming, with the Earth now approximately 1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than in the 1800s. Recent data shows that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached 424.87 parts per million, a slight decrease from the previous month but still significantly higher than historical levels.

The panel has issued a stark warning, stating that the window to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing. Current projections indicate that if emissions continue on their current trajectory, global temperatures could rise by as much as 3.6 degrees Celsius this century.

In Asia, military personnel from Sri Lanka and Indonesia have been deployed to assist victims of severe flooding that has claimed nearly 1,000 lives across four countries. Torrential rains, exacerbated by a rare tropical storm, have led to widespread devastation in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the urgency of delivering aid to isolated communities affected by the flooding.

Meanwhile, wildfires in Australia’s New South Wales have prompted evacuation orders for thousands of residents as fires ravage thousands of hectares of bushland. The Rural Fire Service has issued warnings for areas near Phegans Bay and Woy Woy, urging residents to evacuate if it is safe to do so. The fires have already resulted in the loss of homes and pose a significant threat to local communities.

As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and increase the frequency of extreme events, the need for effective climate action and adaptation strategies remains critical.