{"id":8034,"date":"2020-12-24T10:30:26","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T10:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/environmentaldefence.ca\/?p=28274"},"modified":"2020-12-24T10:30:26","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T10:30:26","slug":"will-2021-be-a-good-year-for-the-environment-here-are-our-top-10-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2020\/12\/24\/will-2021-be-a-good-year-for-the-environment-here-are-our-top-10-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Will 2021 be a good year for the environment? Here are our top 10 predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Happy<\/div>

2020 was a big year for environmental news. Here\u2019s a quick recap:<\/p>\n

In a word:\u201d COVID\u201d. The pandemic and its lockdowns caused rapid change. Global oil consumption dropped by 30 per <\/a>cent<\/a> as commuters stayed off highways and airline travel was dramatically scaled back. Skies cleared, rivers ran clearer, and wildlife returned<\/a>. These dramatic changes were temporary and caused by a public health emergency that is catastrophic. However, they also demonstrated that natural systems can recover quickly if we act to reduce pollution.<\/p>\n

\"Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo is taken in the city center and downtown business district area under pandemic lockdown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meanwhile, climate change continued to rage with record-setting storms, heat, and fires. But there was some good news as well.<\/p>\n

Sales of gas-powered cars took a huge plunge during COVID. Electric vehicles<\/a> did the opposite<\/a> and many investors<\/a> decided oil and gas is a <\/a>loser<\/a>. The federal government also released a new climate plan that will increase carbon prices (and rebates) and announced action on plastic <\/a>pollution<\/a>. Our long-pursued legal challenge of inaction to hold Volkswagen accountable<\/a> for its dieselgate scandal finally resulted in a $192 million fine (highest ever in Canada for an environmental crime). Ontarians also got more organized in the face of escalating government attacks on the environment under the \u201cOntario Yours to Protect\u201d<\/a> program and worked in communities around the province to protect key areas.<\/p>\n

Here are our predictions for the environment in 2021<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Big fights about pollution pricing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"carbon
Photo by Veeterzy via Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The federal government\u2019s plan to increase the carbon price <\/a>from $50 per tonne in 2022 to $170 per tonne in 2030 will provide great fodder to politicians and commentators seeking a political wedge issue and\/or are seeking to stop meaningful climate action. Some will say that these increases will massively inflate consumer costs. This is not true because of rebates. Some will say the taxes will not reduce emissions. This is not true because the price will get high enough to encourage people to avoid burning as many fossil fuels. And a few will argue that carbon taxes are the only thing the government should do to address climate change. This is not true because regulations like an EV sales mandate are needed to ensure that Canadians can actually find lower-emitting vehicles to buy.<\/p>\n

2. After COVID, climate change is still here<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"flood,
Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic will continue its impact on society but will become more manageable as vaccines roll-out and treatment improves. However, more and more severe weather events, fires, droughts, and floods will remind us all that there is no vaccine for climate change and that we need to act urgently to avoid a decades-long or centuries-long crisis.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u201cPay-to-Slay\u201d will become something Ontario residents are forced to learn about<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"ontario<\/p>\n

Ontario residents will have to learn new terms as the Ontario government rolls back legislative protection of endangered species\u2019 and other wildlife habitats, wetlands, and forests. These protections will be replaced with new programs that allow developers and industry to pay into a fund to be allowed to destroy the natural areas. These types of programs have a record of allowing the ongoing loss of key wetlands and forests and have been described as high risk by the World Bank <\/a>Group<\/a>. <\/a>Expect opposition to be strong against this and other actions the Ontario government is taking to undermine environmental protection.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0A new toxics law to protect Canadians\u2019 health and the environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Child<\/p>\n

A bit later than we hoped but the federal government will finally introduce new legislation<\/a> to protect Canadians from toxic chemicals<\/a> like BPA, phthalates, formaldehyde, and the dry cleaning chemical PERC. This will present a huge opportunity to talk about the need to prove that a chemical is safe before it\u2019s used. This will help to ensure that vulnerable communities like women, children, workers and racialized communities near factories are better protected. Canada can also look to other countries for best practices on how to eliminate chemicals that have been found to be dangerous to human health and the environment.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Company action on toxic chemicals will gain speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After Costco announced<\/a> they would remove BPA\/BPS from their customer receipts in by the end of 2019, we stepped up our conversation with other retailers about the impact of this hormone-mimicking chemical on store workers and customers. We are looking forward to a domino effect starting in 2021. Soon, Canadians will be able to take a receipt without worrying about what it is doing to their health.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0The plastics industry will try to convince you that banning any plastics is bad<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

#topoli<\/a> This advertising would definitely make me think twice about calling a Co-op Taxi. Wondering, too, about CoT\/MLS policy on political advertising on licensed vehicles. pic.twitter.com\/wd6pKAxxpu<\/a><\/p>\n

— John Lorinc (@JohnLorinc) October 29, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n