British Columbia's election may shift climate and Indigenous policies

British Columbia’s upcoming election presents voters with a choice between the BC NDP’s progressive approach to climate action and Indigenous rights and the BC Conservative Party’s climate denial and opposition to shared land use with First Nations.

Arno Kopecky reports for The Walrus.

In short:

BC’s NDP government has enacted progressive climate and Indigenous policies, including a landmark law to share land-use decisions with First Nations.
The Conservatives, led by climate-change denier John Rustad, oppose these measures, promising to revoke them if elected.
The election will decide whether BC continues as Canada’s progressive stronghold or reverses course.

Key quote:

“What DRIPA is trying to do is keep it out of the courts, to recognize that First Nations have rights, title, sovereignty and self-determination.”

— Terry Teegee, regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations.

Why this matters:

BC faces climate disasters and economic challenges tied to resource industries. Indigenous rights and sustainable development have reshaped provincial policies, but the upcoming election could hamper those efforts.

thewalrus.ca

British Columbia's election may shift climate and Indigenous policies

Here's what happens when cities kick out cars

Enviros say Supreme Court decision boosts states' ‘climate superfunds’

Oregon faces longer fire season due to historic heat, drought, fire experts warn

Democrats used to back energy-saving plans. Now they're wavering

Democrats used to back energy-saving plans. Now they're wavering

Trees cut extra city heat by half, but not quite fairly, study says

Al Gore talks renewable energy, data centers, and climate crisis at Tennessee conference

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.