Tackling climate change would be far less disruptive

Computer models suggest we could see more than 250,000 deaths in a single year. Those calculations have nothing to do with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but reflect the number of additional deaths expected per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress — all the result of climate change.

Experts have sounded the alarm on both COVID-19 and climate change. As airlines cancel routes and businesses shutter their physical offices, we’re already seeing individuals and governments take decisive action on one disaster. Why not the other?

Today in The Conversation Canada, Eric Galbraith and Ross Otto of McGill University explain why people — and governments — have reacted differently to these two threats. But they also spot a glimmer of hope: “The policy changes required to mitigate climate change appear far less disruptive — economically, socially and culturally — than the measures being taken right now to tackle COVID-19.”

Also today:

Regards,

Hannah Hoag

Deputy Editor | Environment + Energy Editor

Today's Featured Articles
A highway exchange stands empty of traffic after the government implemented restrictions to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Lima, Peru, on March 18, 2020. Does the global response to COVID-19 suggest there’s hope for climate action? AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd

Coronavirus response proves the world can act on climate change

Eric Galbraith, McGill University; Ross Otto, McGill University

The policy response to COVID-19 has been dramatic, unlike the response to climate change, for several reasons. But it shows there's hope for real action on climate change.
Canada’s announcements about its border have not left international students with a sense of security. (Shutterstock)

Canada’s changing coronavirus border policy exposes international students’ precarious status

Carlo Handy Charles, McMaster University

Canada's decisions about its border closures prompt us to reflect on how we should apply measures of social distancing that are not harmful to others and that still protect human dignity.
A newly built power generation plant is seen near Huexca, Mexico, in February 2020. The power plant is part of a mega-energy project that includes a natural gas pipeline that traverses three states. AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo

TC Energy’s name change: Rebooting Canadian pipeline empires

Anna Zalik, York University, Canada

The behaviour of TC Energy, the company formerly known as TransCanada, in Wet'suwet'en resulted in a nationwide crisis in Canada. It should not be repeated in Mexico.
Robotic pets could increasingly provide social companionship and health monitoring in elder care. (Shutterstock)

Robopets: Using technology to monitor older adults raises privacy concerns

L.F. Carver, Queen's University, Ontario

Older adults are using social robots and apps, but what does it mean for issues of surveillance and privacy?

La Conversation Canada
Un tsunami d’informations déferle, sans que l’on puisse prendre le recul nécessaire pour en faire l'analyse. shutterstock

Covid-19 : y a-t-il surabondance d’informations ?

Luc Bonneville, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Les nouvelles sur la Covid-19 tournent en boucle, sans permettre le recul nécessaire pour les analyser. Il faut s'interroger sur leur potentiel d'amplifier la panique dans la population.

COVID-19