Supporters urging for eco-friendly climate resolutions following national voting event

As the federal election results are still being tallied, environmental activists are emphasizing a disconnect between public anxiety about climate change and effective action, calling for more impactful communication and bolder proposals from all political parties to close this divide.

A recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute suggests that almost 70% of Canadians view climate change as a significant threat, however, experts claim there's a lack of meaningful climate action and politicians are falling short in guiding citizens towards solutions.

Atmospheric scientist and science communicator Dr. Katharine Hayhoe explains that the assumption that increased scientific knowledge automatically leads to greater concern and action is incorrect. Instead, she points out that individuals with a higher degree of science literacy were actually more polarized on the issue.

Hayhoe explains this phenomenon as motivated reasoning, where people seek and interpret information that reinforces their beliefs. However, Hayhoe, a leading climate scientist for The Nature Conservancy, also believes that acknowledging the current challenges is the first step towards hope.

Another issue highlighted is fear-based messaging without proffered solutions. Hayhoe explains that such messaging often causes people to retreat, freeze, and lose motivation to act.

Research by Abacus Data over the past six months reveals that 72% of Canadians prioritize cost of living and housing affordability over climate change. Consequently, Hayhoe emphasizes the importance of linking climate change to what Canadians care about the most.

Ottawa-based science journalist Leah Geller echoes this idea, advocating for breaking down climate issues into digestible pieces and focusing on aspects that matter to people most.

Angela Keller-Herzog underlines the necessity for strong, science-based climate policy that directly addresses the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, specifically the oil and gas sector, which contributed to 30% of Canada's emissions in 2023. Keller-Herzog is critical of the Conservative party's climate agenda, which she views as catering to the interests of powerful individuals and corporations in the Canadian oil and gas sector.

Liberal commitments to emissions caps have come under fire due to their inconsistency, raising concerns about their ability to withstand potential political and economic pressures that may lead to watering down or reversing their climate change policies.

Keller-Herzog also criticizes the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and subsidies that she argues contradict climate commitments. "It's the short-term greed of the oil and gas industry," she states, seeking to maximize profits as quickly as possible.

Beyond carbon pricing, Keller-Herzog advocates for harmonized and tiered building codes, investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to accelerate climate action.

When communicating climate policies, Keller-Herzog shares that mechanisms such as carbon taxes work but their benefits must be clearly communicated. Geller adds that aligning policies with issues that matter in the moment, such as affordability and sovereignty, helps bridge the gap.

Insights for Parties to Bridge the Gap:

Specific and Measurable Policy Commitments: Vague promises don’t generate strong public support. Parties should focus on measurable milestones for their environmental platforms.
Linking Climate Action to Economic Benefits: Articulate how climate policies contribute to job growth, for example, maintaining protections for coastal economies or transitioning energy workers to renewables.
Addressing Greenwashing and Accountability: Commit to transparency by rejecting "clean oil and gas" rhetoric, enforcing laws, and advocating for the Nature Accountability Act.
Unifying Messaging: Frame climate action as a collective imperative rather than divisive issue by adopting unifying language in debates.
Public Engagement and Education: Proposals like clean energy job creation require grassroots support. Simplify technical concepts, and explain how policies address regional concerns through town halls and other public forums.

By incorporating these elements, parties can transform public concern into electoral mandates as the Liberals did in 2025, while rebuilding trust through ambitious and honest proposals that acknowledge limitations.

The government needs to prioritize meaningful research and policies aimed at addressing climate change, as only 30% of Canadians think the current government is doing enough to combat it.
To bridge the divide between public anxiety about climate change and effective action, it's crucial for the government to communicate their policy proposals in a way that is easily understood by the general public.
Experts have identified motivated reasoning as a significant barrier to tackling climate change, where people interpret information that reinforces their beliefs instead of seeking facts.
In order to encourage more concern and action about climate change, the government should focus on linking climate change to what people care about, such as cost of living, housing affordability, and their health.
By breaking down climate issues into digestible pieces and focusing on aspects that matter to people most, the government can foster greater understanding and engagement.
Strong, science-based climate policy is necessary, with a focus on addressing the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly the oil and gas sector.
The government should be wary of catering to the interests of powerful individuals and corporations in the oil and gas sector, as their agenda may conflict with climate commitments.
Politicians should avoid fear-based messaging without proffered solutions, as such messaging often causes people to retreat and lose motivation to act.
Beyond carbon pricing, the government should invest in harmonized and tiered building codes, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to accelerate climate action.
When communicating climate policies, benefits must be clearly communicated, and policies should align with issues that matter in the moment, such as affordability and sovereignty.
To regain public trust and generate strong public support, the government should make specific and measurable policy commitments, address greenwashing and accountability, unify messaging, and engage the public through education and public forums.

Climate change advocates urge immediate action as Canada elects a Liberal administration.

Supporters urging for eco-friendly climate resolutions following national voting event