For many Canadians, climate change is nothing but bad news: wildfires, flooding, icebergs melting and heat waves. Worse still, for many, the solutions can seem more painful than the problem: drive or fly less while paying more for gas and energy. It’s no wonder then, that Canada’s progress on climate change is incremental at best.

But recently, Canadian activists and progressive politicians have breathed new life into climate politics by proposing a Green New Deal: a massive mobilization of government resources to decarbonize society, while providing workers in carbon-based industries and elsewhere with the services and support they need to prosper. This re-framing of climate change solutions as a win-win has resonated with many different groups — from all corners of society.

We know that the science on climate change is unequivocal. We must decarbonize by 2050 if we are to limit the worst effects. And despite climate denialism, we know climate change is already costing lives and livelihoods.

Whole sectors of the economy — and not just the oil and gas industry — are under threat. The insurance industry, for instance, paid out almost $2 billion for extreme weather-related damages in 2018. We know that these events are becoming more frequent and severe in part because of climate change.

All of this means that the next decade is critical. Nothing short of an economic transformation is required.

The Green New Deal recognizes that helping people and addressing climate change are not opposing, but complementary goals. It offers ideas for this transformation that are environmentally sustainable, as well as economically and socially just.

The Alberta tarsands, for example, are a climate disaster, but an economic boon. The petroleum industry estimates that the tarsands produce about 10 per cent of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions; one recent study suggests the number is higher. Closing them would not only help Canada reach its emissions reduction goal, it would slow the negative health impacts on workers and nearby residents, which include First Nations communities. But few politicians would make this economic sacrifice for one clear reason: such a move would be unpopular with voters.

Federal policies are needed to help create new jobs for those who would be affected by closing the tarsands. These policies could take a variety of forms. Federal procurement policies could drive demand for carbon-neutral electricity and buildings, and the production and installation of the requisite technology.

New standards for generating renewable electricity would create incentives to build more capacity. Investments in grid upgrades would also create more jobs. At the same time, tightening emissions regulations would slow the use of fossil fuels. We must invest aggressively to effect this economic and energy transformation.

Of course, not all workers can be retrained. Buyouts will be needed for some, and pensions should be guaranteed. West Virginia coal miners have been cheated out of paycheques and retirement funds when the mining company closed. We cannot allow this to happen. Provinces have neither the incentive nor the capital to protect workers, so the federal government will have to step in.

Similarly, investments in decentralized renewable energy, public transportation, and zero-emission housing can benefit all Canadians. These are not sacrifices, but benefits.

How will we pay for it, the skeptics ask? The reality is, we are already paying for climate change. The insurance industry points to climate change as part of the reason for the recent rise in the cost of homeowners insurance.

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And Canadian taxpayers paid the fossil fuel industry more than $40 billion in subsidies in 2015. The real question about costs is who will pay for climate change? Incremental policies effectively saddle those who can least afford it with paying for climate policy and the effects of climate change. We should not penalize workers; instead, the government must lead the way, making large-scale investments in decarbonizing the economy.

Right now, the Green New Deal is more aspiration than legislation. But the momentum for decisive action on climate change is growing. As students — and their families — prepare to participate in the global climate strikes on Friday, politicians must listen. Canada needs a Green New Deal — to improve Canadians’ lives and address the climate crisis.

Jessica Green is an associate professor in Political Science at the University of Toronto.

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