Stimulus $$ can create jobs and help the climate   

Management consultants McKinsey & Company reported on a recent survey of top economists which shows that stimulus measures targeting actions that are good for the environment can produce as much growth and create as many jobs as measures that don’t affect the environment, or those that are destructive.

Join Minister Catherine McKenna for a Zoom chat

What will Canada’s communities look like after COVID-19? Which MP had the hardest time getting their mic to work in virtual parliament meetings? What's a “shovel-ready” job?

On Tuesday, June 16 at 4 p.m. PT, the National Observer is hosting a conversation with Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna. 

Find out how the feds are planning to create jobs and protect the environment. 

Register to join the conversation.
 

Life in the bike lane    

Many of us have spent more time on our bikes in the last couple of months than we may have in the last few decades. The World Health Organization advises us to consider biking or walking as much as possible, as this gives us physical distancing and physical exercise all in one shot.

A recent surge in bike sales suggests that this trend will last.

Many cities across Canada are meeting the needs of their residents and expanding their cycling networks by installing temporary bike lanes. Given the need to reduce GHG emissions generated by transportation, this may well translate into more permanent installations.

But there are those who are reluctant to take up the art of the bike, because no matter how fun and practical it is, it doesn’t feel safe. A recent Fast Company article compares three styles of bike lane design and determined that the safest type is one that separates bikes from cars with a physical barrier. They also found that safety is increased by giving priority to bicycles at intersections.

Bank of Canada weighs in on cost of climate inaction   

The Bank of Canada has created a new program that adds climate change to its research agenda.  Reporting on it for the Financial Post, journalist Kevin Carmichael writes that “the latest results of [the Bank’s] new research program suggests our refusal to get serious about climate change is setting us up for future economic damage along the lines of what the coronavirus crisis is causing now.”

Carmichael goes on to say, “The Bank’s analysis supports the contention that a carbon tax could cause some pain in the short term, but that half-hearted efforts to meet the Paris targets, never mind firm commitments to do whatever it takes to limit global warming to 2^o C by 2100, risk more damage later. 

TEspecially harsh is a scenario in which global policymakers wait until 2030 to seriously curb emissions, and then cause significant disruption by attempting to make up for lost time.”

Vision 2050 – a FREE webinar with Metro Vancouver   

Metro Vancouver invites you to a live webinar and Q&A session to learn more about our region’s vision for the next 30 years. We’re looking ahead to plan for growth, including changes to population, jobs, housing, transportation, industry, green spaces, local agriculture, and more.

Date: Wed, June 17
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 

Find out more and register