Climate change is the most visible, most threatening expression of a larger, planetary ecological crisis. Our approach must be commensurate with the structural challenge that crisis poses to the way society is organized if we are to halt and reverse the ecological catastrophe toward which we are now hurtling—and which is fueled by our dependency on fossil fuels.

While not a market-worshipper of Danielle Smith’s ilk, Québec Premier François Legault has a vision of the province that still revolves around a profit-driven market economy with growth-oriented goals. For an increasingly large body of environmental opinion, however, the very nature of such an economy undermines efforts to ‘save the planet.’

My vision for this CEGEP is guided by one question: What do students need from higher education as a young human on this planet at this extraordinary time? If we base the answer to that question in scientific consensus, preparing students for their futures requires nothing short of transformative systemic change in all aspects of society.

On February 29, the Shuar Arutam People (PSHA) of Ecuador filed a complaint against Vancouver-based Solaris Resources Inc. before the British Columbia Securities Commission over its repeated failure to disclose material information to shareholders regarding its Warintza mining project, a large-scale copper and gold mine which overlaps with PSHA’s titled territory.

While the administration of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte prioritizes the growth of the mining sector, with the full-throated support of the Canadian embassy, organizations like Red Muqui are clear: in a time of increasing environmental pressure, those who stand to gain the most from mining are not those who will pay the biggest price.

Acknowledging that a number of environmental organizations have quietly joined a growing coalition of civil society groups calling for ceasefire in Gaza, why is this community not speaking out more about war crimes that have the world’s attention, or educating others on the interconnectedness of war with climate change, climate justice, and planetary health?

On November 28, Panama’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the 20-year contract granted to Canadian mining company First Quantum is unconstitutional. The decision came after weeks of nationwide protests forced the government to announce a referendum on First Quantum’s contract for December 17. Now, however, the court seems to have decided the fate of the mine.

Those seeking an economic and industrial policy agenda that will reduce inequality, empower workers, and support a just transition in Manitoba can look to capital spending, legislative reform, and opportunities in the Crown corporation sector as areas where progress is possible, even if the narrow fiscal policy battle may have been temporarily lost.

Wab Kinew signalled early on that his government, if elected, would not raise taxes and balance the provincial budget. This has led some to quip that Manitoba now has a Progressive Conservative Party and a conservative progressive party, as the NDP has become progressive on identity and social issues, and conservative on economic and fiscal policy.

Canada’s apex oil and gas lobby group may rue the day it made foreign-funded political meddling a public issue. For good reason, China’s election interference has sparked outrage in Canada. But China’s ability to sway a broad spectrum of Canadian voters is far weaker than the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producer’s foreign-funded political interference.