Clean Energy: Canada’s Best Hope Against a Climate Emergency

Canada is not immune to climate change. In fact, we're one of the countries most deeply affected. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada is warming at more than double the global average, and some regions—like the North—are heating up nearly three times faster.

This warming is triggering a chain reaction of devastating consequences:

• Arctic ice is disappearing, endangering ecosystems and communities that rely on frozen terrain.
• Permafrost is thawing, damaging infrastructure and releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Sea levels are rising, especially along the East and West Coasts, threatening cities, homes, and natural habitats.
• Extreme weather is becoming the norm—floods, droughts, heatwaves, and storms are all intensifying.

In short: our landscapes are shifting, our seasons are changing, and our safety is at risk. Climate change is no longer a future problem. It is here, now.

The Cause Is Clear—and So Is the Solution

The main driver of this crisis is the burning of fossil fuels. When we extract and burn coal, oil, and gas, we release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in our atmosphere.

But we have the tools to stop it.

Clean, renewable energy sources—like wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal—produce electricity without releasing carbon. They are our most direct way to reduce emissions and cool the planet.

Clean Energy Can Help Stop the Damage

Here’s how renewables fight back against the climate breakdown already hurting Canada:

They reduce the heat By replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity, we drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions. That means less warming, and a better chance to preserve Canada’s glaciers, forests, coastlines, and wildlife.

They slow the sea-level rise Melting polar ice and thermal expansion are pushing seas higher. According to National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, some communities could see sea levels rise by more than 1 metre in this century. Cutting carbon now is essential to limiting this rise and protecting millions from future displacement.

They preserve the North The Arctic is Canada's frontline. Rising temperatures are eroding the foundation of entire communities. Clean energy solutions, especially in off-grid and remote areas, can reduce diesel dependency and protect fragile ecosystems already at the tipping point.

They prevent more extreme weather More carbon in the atmosphere means more energy for storms, floods, and wildfires. Clean power doesn’t just stop emissions—it reduces the risks of weather events that damage homes, poison air, and upend lives.

The Path Forward

The science is clear, and so is the path forward. Canada must:

• Rapidly expand wind, solar, and hydro power
• Phase out fossil fuel use in electricity, heating, and transport
• Build a net-zero grid by 2035, as already promised in federal policy
• Cut greenhouse gas emissions 40–45% by 2030, in line with Canada’s national climate targets

Every renewable project we build, every fossil fuel system we replace, every tonne of carbon we prevent—it all adds up to a safer, healthier future.

Take the First Step Toward a Cleaner, Safer Future

The climate emergency is already reshaping Canada. But it doesn’t have to define our future. Clean, renewable energy is more than a technical solution—it’s our lifeline.

Take your first step today: Connect with the Electricity Council of Canada to learn how individuals, businesses, and communities can join the movement driving sustainable growth. Whether it’s installing solar panels, advocating for smarter energy policies, or simply switching to an EV, your actions matter.

The power to transform Canada’s future is in our hands—let’s use it wisely.