The Houssian Foundation’s Director of Climate and Nature Programs, Karen Tam Wu, recently attended the Canadian Climate Institute’s “Climate Policy in Changing Times,” panel featuring keynote speaker Michael Liebreich, and shares her learnings from the event.
Last month, I sucked up my West Coast winter wimpiness, dug out my puffiest down jacket and winter boots usually reserved for backcountry adventures, and headed to Ottawa. Not only to be in solidarity with the rest of the country that has been subjected to an incredibly harsh winter, but also to re-connect to the climate community outside the bubble of the temperate West Coast.
The Houssian Foundation was proud to sponsor the Canadian Climate Institute “Climate Policy in Changing Times” event in Ottawa. The Institute hosted Michael Liebreich, widely known as the founder of New Energy Finance (now BloombergNEF), a leading institution in research and market analysis of the energy transition. Michael Liebreich is a hero to those of us who work in the realm of climate and clean energy.
Michael began by providing his perspectives on what the energy transition looks like broadly speaking and challenged some commonly held beliefs. He suggested the transition to clean energy could be grounded in the idea of growing the amount of clean energy faster than the rate of growth of fossil fuels, which would then outcompete fossil fuels over time. Michael suggested this would be more effective than focusing on the demise of the fossil fuel industry and convincing people to change their behavior. Michael posited that green hydrogen should not be considered as a fuel source and that nuclear energy is not a climate solution. To dispel notions that the energy transition is for the wealthy nations, he shared statistics showing that electric vehicles are the new cars of choice in Nepal and Ethiopia vastly surpassing combustion engine models.
Then Michael zeroed in on Canada’s potential, Canada’s role and position relative to the global context on climate action and the clean economy. Despite what’s happening south of the border—there is real global momentum behind building a clean economy. Canada has the right ingredients in place, and our federal government now faces some pivotal decisions to make (hello, MOU with Alberta to build a pipeline to B.C.’s northwest coast, clean electricity regulations, and industrial carbon pricing) to ensure we keep pace with this worldwide shift.
In a world where it’s so easy to fire off a social media post and hope for likes, stepping out of the bubble to connect with people face‑to‑face was genuinely nourishing. The Canadian Climate Insitute’s gathering last month reminded me that there are people across the country who care deeply and are working hard on climate issues.
The event grounded me. Leaving the comforts of home means broadening my perspective on my work and reinforced how essential real human connection is, especially when the times feel heavy.
Thank you and congratulations to the Canadian Climate Institute for a fantastic event that stimulated both my brain and heart.