Ian Urquhart

#climatecrisis #climatechange

CO₂ emissions per capita An interactive visualization from Our World in Data.

ourworldindata.org/grapher/co-e...
The U.S. is the world's largest CO2 emitter on a per capita basis (14.2 tonnes/person). Canada is 2nd (13.42/person). Note the narrowing of the gap between them. Will Canada become the worst polluter on a per capita basis within a decade? #climatecrisis #climate

There’s a New Forecast for Peak Oil Demand. It’s Increasingly Cloudy.

There’s a New Forecast for Peak Oil Demand. It’s Increasingly Cloudy. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/c...
Predicting 2.5 degrees or 2.9 degrees warmer by 2100. #COP30 #climatecrisis

#RemembranceDay
#ThankYou

How Canada Thumbs Its Nose at the Global Climate Summit | The Tyee We used to pledge lower emissions. Now we push for higher oil production.

How Canada Thumbs Its Nose at the Global Climate Summit via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
#COP30 #climatecrisis

I wish we could ignore Bill Gates on the climate crisis. But he’s a billionaire, so we can’t | George Monbiot Money talks – and his essay denouncing ‘near-term emissions goals’ at Cop30 mostly argues the case for letting the ultra-rich off the hook

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Exactly, that’s a great way to put it…especially if you add that those extra meals contain plenty of saturated fats!

Polar stereographic map showing 2-m air temperature anomalies in October 2025 for the Arctic Circle with red shading for warmer anomalies and blue shading for colder anomalies. Most areas are warmer than average. The baseline is a 1981-2010 reference period using ERA5 data.

Here's a look at the extent of the "warmth" across the #Arctic in October. This map uses my normal anomaly scaling for each month, but it clearly doesn't work for something this extreme.

Data from doi.org/10.24381/cds...

Canada's first two oil sands plants

You won't find this message in Canada's official #COP30 statement: Canada, with already the worst #GHG emissions record in the G7, intends to increase oil sands production from today's record levels. #climatecrisis
abpolecon.ca/2025/11/08/w...

I couldn't deliver this speech to #COP30 with a straight face. "Deep decarbonization" is a snake-oil phrase coming from a country where total GHG emissions have climbed by nearly 15% since 1990. Canada hasn't met a single #climatechange goal in more than 30 years.
www.canada.ca/en/environme...

Oilsands emissions rise slightly with new production, even as industry makes progress on GHGs New report says absolute GHG emissions from oilsands increased by less than one per cent in 2024

calgaryherald.com/business/new...
Oil sands emissions hit a new record high. Both Ottawa and Alberta are prepared to see those emissions increase. Funny the headline doesn't make that clear... Feel good - this year's record high is just a bit higher than last year's. #climatechange #fossilfuels

www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
A cynical Friday afternoon news release. Didn’t know Alberta Ed. was authorized to speak for Canadian universities about what a no diploma exam grade would do to admission prospects. And what does a flexible calendar mean? Madness. #education #ableg

I called on the 🇨🇦 govt to guarantee, no-cost access to COVID-19 vaccines, including for every child under 12.

Under the Canada Health Act, every Canadian deserves equal access to care no matter where they live, or how badly their provincial gov’t ignores science, health guidelines & their citizens.

'Without precedent': Alberta Energy Regulator CEO cancels hearing for coal mine CALGARY — The head of the Alberta Energy Regulator has cancelled an application hearing for a potential coal mine, a move that he acknowledged is "without precedent."

ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/without... It’s harder and harder to refute the view that Albertans live in a banana republic - without the benefit of growing bananas. #ableg

Thanks to @thetyee.ca for publishing this piece. In this age of propaganda governments selectively use statistics to manufacture public complacency. If they get away with it we, and those who come after us, will pay a steep price. #climatechange #abpoli #cdnpoli #democracy

Pinocchios Aplenty: Fact Checking Alberta’s Coal Industry Modernization Initiative - AB Pol Econ Contributor Dr. Ian Urquhart is Professor Emeritus of Political Science from the University of Alberta.   In memory of Kris Unger. Kris was passionate about preserving Alberta’s landscapes, most espec...

abpolecon.ca/2025/01/10/p...
Info for tonight. Jean nonsensically suggested last Dec. that Grassy wasn't a new open pit mine. It was an "advanced coal project." He eliminated that provision in a 01/15/25 Min. Order. With it he eliminated the flimsy legal basis for his Dec. position. #abpoli #ableg

Premier Danielle Smith, cabinet ministers to 'address concerns' about coal industry, policies at Fort Macleod meeting Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, three cabinet ministers and the local MLA are hosting a meeting about coal Wednesday in Fort Macleod.

calgaryherald.com/news/politic...
Message? No new open pit mines except for Grassy Mtn. Jean tries to deflect by saying the 1976 policy will apply - big deal, that policy didn't apply to the orig. Grassy application - one the Alberta Energy Regulator categorically rejected. #abpoli #ableg

Busting the Myth That Ottawa Has Hurt Alberta’s Oil Industry | The Tyee In fact, federal governments have promoted and protected it. Especially the oilsands.

No one should dispute the National Energy Program’s devastating impact on Alberta’s conventional oil and gas sector 40 years ago.

But the oilsands, not conventional oil, propelled Canada to its position as the world’s fourth-largest oil producer. @ianurquhart.bsky.social writes.

www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quo...
Continued steep decline in Cdn return trips to the US by car (-35.2% comparing 04/25 with 04/24). (see Chart 4) Decline in returns by air from the US (-19.9%) outweigh increase from overseas countries. than fm other intl destinations. #elbowsup #tariffs #travel

Alberta has long accused Ottawa of trying to destroy its oil industry. Here’s why that’s a dangerous myth Has Ottawa facilitated or obstructed the spectacular post-1990 growth of oilsands production? The evidence is clear: the federal government has been a major oilsands booster.

Alberta has long accused Ottawa of trying to destroy its oil industry. Here’s why that’s a dangerous myth
theconversation.com/alberta-has-... #abpoli #cdnpoli
Thanks to those of you who have read/shared this piece. It’s been opened more than 32,000 times. I expect heresy charges soon.

Alberta has long accused Ottawa of trying to destroy its oil industry. That’s a dangerous myth Has Ottawa facilitated or obstructed the spectacular post-1990 growth of oilsands production? The evidence is clear: the federal government has been a major oilsands booster.

theconversation.com/alberta-has-...

Looking forward to talking with Shaye Ganam on his show tomorrow morning at 9:15. On 630 CHED in #YEG and 770 CHQR in #YYC.

Alberta has long accused Ottawa of trying to destroy its oil industry. That’s a dangerous myth Has Ottawa facilitated or obstructed the spectacular post-1990 growth of oilsands production? The evidence is clear: the federal government has been a major oilsands booster.

theconversation.com/alberta-has-... #cdnpoli #abpoli It’s nonsense to portray Ottawa as an enemy of the #tarsands. In 2004 Mark Lisac wrote: “Alberta is a place soaked in self-deception.” Right then, right now. Exploiting myth is crucial to nurturing secessionist delusions.

More true than not - as seen by their actions. Why were Canada’s 2022 GHG emissions about 100 million tonnes higher than in 1990? Look no further than the tremendous expansion in the oil/tar sands. And Schulz/Smith have the nerve to say Alberta is a climate change leader. Nonsense.

Coal in Alberta: Neither public outrage nor waning global demand seem to matter to Danielle Smith Alberta’s coal initiatives illustrate two dangerous trends in today’s democratic politics — the refusal to heed both the public and experts.

Coal in Alberta: Neither public outrage nor waning global demand seem to matter to Danielle Smith
#abpoli #mountainsnotmines #ableg #coalmining #YYC #YQL

theconversation.com/coal-in-albe...

A shout out to the 4 Republican Senators - Collins, McConnell, Murkowski, and Paul (co-sponsor) for joining their Democratic colleagues in passing Sen. Kaine's resolution to repeal the emerg. resolution slapping #tariffs on Canada for my country's alleged role in the #fentanyl crisis. Thank you.

Braid: Government caves on popsicle ban for cancer kids, but admits nothing The Alberta government decrees that kids in cancer treatment can't get treats like popsicles or juice boxes. Same new rules apply to ERs.

calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu... #abpoli

Who are these people? Have they a shred of decency?

Danielle Smith's separatism shell game Conservatives are working through the various stages of political grief. Danielle Smith, ever the maverick, has decided to add a sixth one: empty threats.

www.nationalobserver.com/2025/03/31/o...

The Municipal District of Ranchland Stands Strong Against More Coal Exploration By: Nigel Bankes Case Commented On: Ranchland (Municipal District No 66) v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2025 ABCA 105 (CanLII). PDF Version: The Municipal District of Ranchland Stands Strong Against M…

ablawg.ca/2025/03/26/t...
Hats off to MD of Ranchland and Michael Niven/Carscallen Law for their tenacity. #abpoli #mountainsnotmîned

An illustration of an attendant at a toll booth that can be found in front of National Parks like Banff. "Should National Parks have Entrance Fees?"

Kevin Van Tighem: A lot of Canadians didn’t visit a national park. Why should their tax dollars finance holidays enjoyed by others...

@ianurquhart.bsky.social: Free admission helps parks promote health, biodiversity, climate change mitigation and Indigenous partnerships...

We're going to create a working group to study the problem some more! Really! That's the best you can do? The Legislature is in session now. Why not just fix the problem?