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Welcome to the WE-CAN Climate News Roundup
Your Primary Source for CLIMATE NEWS
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Issue #240 April 21, 2026
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Stay Connected. Be Inspired. Get Involved.
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Top Story
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The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels
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The Conference, co-hosted by Columbia and the Netherlands, is a space for countries, subnational governments and other stakeholders that recognize the need to implement a transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner, in line with climate goals and the best available science. The Conference will identify enabling pathways for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, which we expect can serve as an input for the roadmap prepared by the COP30 presidency. Read more
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Join the Movement. Fuel the Change. The climate crisis won’t wait — and neither can we. At the West Coast Climate Action Network, we connect with and support nearly 300 climate organizations across BC. Together, we amplify impact, share resources, and drive urgent change.
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But we can’t do it without you!
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By becoming a monthly donor, you provide steady and reliable support that sustains the climate movement throughout the year. Your contributions fund vital coordination, advocacy, events, and tools — empowering people and organizations across BC to fight for a livable future. Monthly giving also makes it easier for you to stay connected to the cause, while helping us plan and grow with confidence
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Whether it’s $5 or $50 a month, your donation directly strengthens climate action in BC — and every dollar adds up.
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Be the spark. Join our growing community of monthly donors today.
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Thank you for standing with us in this decisive decade.
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Action Now!
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📌They Profit, We Pay. It’s Time to Fix It. (Sign our Letter!)
From 350.org: While war kills and bills soar, fossil fuel giants and arms corporations rake in record profits, share our open letter demanding governments end the war, tax the profiteers, and invest in people. Read more
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📌 Share Your Thoughts: 2026-2029 Draft Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (By May 12)
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WE-CAN Friends and Allies
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Wednesday, April 22, 12 Noon Quatsino First Nation’s Renewable Energy Projects
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From WE-CAN: Join us to learn about a groundbreaking project led by Kara Wilson, harnessing wind, solar and potentially tidal energy on the traditional lands of the Three Nations of the North Island. The project serves as a model for neighboring regions, encouraging collaboration and inspiring the next generation of Indigenous clean energy leaders. Join us to explore how it is shaping a resilient, clean energy future rooted in Indigenous knowledge and leadership. Register here
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CleanBC – What Happened?
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From WE-CAN: After meeting with staff in the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, we can report with confidence that none of CleanBC’s programs has been lost: they are just now organized under different departments, including the Climate Solutions Division. There is no clear paperwork explaining this available yet.
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Tuesday April 28, 6 pm Launch of the Public Transit Alliance of BC
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From WE-CAN: Please join us for the launch of the Public Transit Alliance of BC, a coalition of advocacy groups from across BC. For the first time, BC will have a strong group arguing for better transit across BC, from Atlin to Zeballos. Better in our towns and cities, and better across BC’s rural and remote areas, where public transit is effectively non-existent. Speakers include George Anderson, MLA, Parliamentary Secretary for Transit; Emily Lowan, Green Party of BC Leader; Keith Wiley, Kootenay Transit Action; Eric Doherty, transportation planner; and Paul Adams, BC Rural Health Network. Our MC is Heather McCain, ED of LET’S. Register here Can your organization join the Alliance? Click here, and scroll down.
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34,000 People Demand a Renewable-Powered, Publicly-Owned East-West Grid
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From 350.0rg: 350 Canada team joined friends at Sacred Earth and David Suzuki Foundation on Parliament Hill to deliver 34,000 petition signatures demanding a renewable-powered, publicly-owned East-West Grid. Our message was clear. It’s time to accelerate a fossil fuel phase out and expand access to affordable renewable energy and green technology.. Read more
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Saturday, May 9, 10 am-12 WE-CAN AGM: Climate Action, Past, Present, Future - Register Now
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From WE-CAN: We invite you to join us for our Annual General Meeting, when we will elect new directors, share what we have been up to, and look to the future. Register here
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Climate Videos, Books, Podcasts, Courses, Art
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Longer Summers are Not Just More Time to Spend Eating Watermelon. No! It’s Far More Sinister!
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From Brenda the Disobedience Penguin Read here!
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Climate Solutions
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Gas Tax Cut vs EVs: Which Saves You More?
From Clean Energy Canada: Gas tax cut will save a typical driver $17 a month for five months. EVs will save you $250 a month indefinitely. Ottawa’s fuel tax cut will shave 10 cents per litre off gasoline (4 cents off diesel) until early September, to cushion Canadians from price spikes driven by the war in the Middle East. For the average driver, that’s $17 a month, or about $77 total. Read more
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France Announces Ban on Gas Boilers in New Buildings Starting in 2027
From Le Monde: French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also announced a doubling of support for electrification by 2030 to €10 billion annually. "As long as we depend on oil and gas, we will continue to pay the price for other people's wars," Lecornu said, as he outlined initial steps in a plan to electrify heating and transport. Read more
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How Pakistan’s Solar Boom is Shielding it From Worst of Iran War Crisis
From Aljazeera: A quarter of Pakistani households are now using solar panels. This insulates millions of families from the energy supply crunch prompted by the US-Israel war on Iran. Since 2018, Pakistan’s rooftop solar boom has helped the country save more than $12bn in fuel imports. At current market prices, this would also help the country save about $6.3bn during this year. Read more
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Six Pacific Nations Commit to 100% Renewables, Call for Fossil Fuel Treaty
From We Don’t Have Time: A landmark declaration has just been signed by leaders from six nations in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu. As the current energy crisis is forcing multiple Pacific nations into states of emergency, leaders from Tuvalu, Samoa, Fiji, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Vanuatu have launched The Tassiriki Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific—committing the region to a rapid shift to 100% renewable energy. Read more
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How South Korea Plans to Use the Iran Crisis to Spur a Renewables Revolution
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From The Guardian: In Guyang-ri, a farming village of 70 households 90 minutes south-east of Seoul, residents gather for free communal lunches six days a week. The meals are funded by the village’s one-megawatt solar installation, which generates $6,800 in net profit each month. Before the project launched in 2022, the village had no restaurant, no easy way to move around, and little communal infrastructure. Now solar revenue pays for meals, a village “happiness bus” for elderly residents, a table tennis facility, and cultural activities. “People who didn’t know each other for years now get to know each other within days” through the restaurant, he says. Read more
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A Ray of Hope: EU Governments Gathering to Plan Way Out of Fossil Fuel Reliance
From Euronews: A conference in Colombia could mark the most serious international effort ever to transition away from fossil fuels. With more than 10 million barrels of oil a day being held up in the Hormuz Strait, the dangers of relying on imported fossil fuels have never been clearer. The First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels will be held in Santa Marta in Colombia from 24-29 April. “There is a clear momentum to phase out fossil fuels, and now is the time to capitalise on it,” said the Netherlands’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth, Sophie Hermans. Read more
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From EV Stations to Heat Pump Grants: Inside France’s €240m Plan to Reduce its Fossil Fuel Reliance
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From Euronews: France wants to fast-track its electrification as the war on Iran continues to highlight the dangers of fossil fuel reliance. The government aims to cut France’s dependency on fossil fuels from 60% to 40% by 2030. This will mainly be achieved by electrifying transport and buildings, as well as the “wider adoption” of EVs and heat pumps. Read more
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Could Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, or Nelson become a Biophilic City?
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From Biophilic Cities: We are a network of cities, scholars, and advocates from across the globe who promote the value of nature in cities to the lives of urban residents. Building on its transition from an industrial centre to a regenerating green city, Swansea combines ecological recovery with urban regeneration, addressing climate impacts and biodiversity loss through nature-based solutions that improve flood resilience, air quality, nature recovery, ecological connectivity, and public wellbeing. https://www.biophiliccities.org
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Climate Image of the Week
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Climate Politics and Action
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Chief Na’Moks, Gwii Lok’im Gibuu and Katisha Paul Speak Out Against EDC Financing of LNG Megaprojects
From Peace Brigades International: They spoke outside Export Development Canada’s offices in Ottawa to reject public dollars being spent on the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG terminal and LNG Canada Phase 2 expansion. Read more
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Malfunctioning Canadian LNG Terminal Burned More Gas than 2024 Global Record
From The Narwhal: LNG Canada— the country’s first major LNG facility, owned by Shell, Petronas, Korea Gas, PetroChina and Mitsubishi — is one of the highest sources of emissions for flaring, undermining claims that Canada produces the cleanest natural gas in the world. Read more
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DRIPA is Not the Problem. It’s Part of the Solution
From First Nations Leadership Council: Premier David Eby and the BC government are breaking their commitment and planning to amend DRIPA by undermining Indigenous peoples' right to hold the government accountable in court. Amendments being proposed to DRIPA will erode the trust between First Nations and the provincial government, infringe the basic human rights of Indigenous peoples, and create more economic uncertainty, setting back our collective progress by decades. We need to push for DRIPA to continue to be implemented rather than amended. Tell your MLA: Uphold DRIPA! Write here (scroll right down to the bottom)
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Who’d Have Thought a Fossil-Fuel Shill Like Trump Would be the One to Spark a Green Revolution?
From George Monbiot, The Guardian: The US attack on Iran has made the need for renewable energy inarguable. Greens who were long dismissed as “idealistic” and “unrealistic” now look like hard-headed pragmatists and true patriots. They are years ahead of their rivals in demanding a transition that makes sense on every level: environmental, economic and political. Read more
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$30m an Hour: Big Oil Reaping Huge War Windfall From Consumers, Analysis Finds
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From The Guardian: Climate action blockers including Saudi Arabia, Russia and major fossil fuel firms set to make extra $234bn by end of 2026. The excess profits come from the pockets of ordinary people as they pay high prices to fill up their vehicles and power their homes, as well as from businesses incurring higher energy bills. Read more
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Climate Science and Impacts
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Critical Atlantic Current Significantly More Likely to Collapse than Thought
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From The Guardian: Scientists say the finding is ‘very concerning’, as the collapse would be catastrophic for Europe, Africa and the Americas. The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) brings sun-warmed tropical water to Europe and the Arctic, where it cools and sinks to form a deep return current. A collapse would shift the tropical rainfall belt on which millions rely to grow food, plunge western Europe into extreme cold winters and summer droughts, and add 50-100cm to rising sea levels around the Atlantic. Rahmstorf, who has studied the Amoc for 35 years, said a collapse must be avoided “at all costs”. Read more
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You Can Take Action! Events, Protests and Rallies
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*PLEASE NOTE* If your climate organization is a WE-CAN member, click “Post your Event” under ‘Calendar’, and it will be added following approval.
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The calendar is a great networking tool, helping you connect and share events with the broader climate movement. Check it out and start posting your events today!
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Organize Transformational Change with UVic’s Micro-Certificate in Climate Activism
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From UVic Continuing Studies: Are you looking to develop, lead and support effective climate action? Build practices for organizing transformational change including strategic landscape analysis, effective communication, and alliance-building skills. Learners and climate activists can choose to focus on issues such as Indigenous allyship, systems transformation or collaborative governance. Details here
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Tuesday, April 21, Noon: Balancing Nature’s Needs with Fire Protection at Home and in our Forests
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From Creatively United: Join us to learn how to discern truth from half-truth, protect and preserve trees, your community, home and loved ones from the growing threat of fire in an era of climate uncertainty. With Herb Hammond, forest ecologist; Rachel Holt, professional biologist; and Dave Daust, forester. They will dispel some of the myths to reveal how the public can better protect trees and nature. They will also be joined by a conservation biologist and a FireSmart representative for recommendations for natural landscapes around homes. Register here
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Wednesday, April 22, 12-1 pm Advocating for Climate Solutions Through Public Policy
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From SFU: Drawing on the theme on Earth Day, we will explore questions of individual versus government responsibility through local examples of climate change and adaptation such as extreme heat, wildfires, and risk response. The aim is to better understand climate adaptation and how to advocate on behalf of policy problems. Register here
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Wednesday, April 22, 6-7 pm Why the Tides Change - The Coast Salish Story
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From the Green Party of Canada: Have you ever wondered why the tides change? Why sometimes they are really high, and sometimes really low? As we act out this story together as bears, eagles, raccoons and wolves, our chiefs will guide us through our parts. There is no rehearsal, and no “acting” required. The story telling will be led by Annie Smith, veteran storyteller and participatory theatre facilitator who has been leading participatory storytelling for decades. Meet in Room 1, Campbell River Sportsplex,1800 South Alder St, Campbell River
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Wednesday, April 22, 7-8 pm Climate Resilience for People with Intellectual + Developmental Disabilities
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From Down Syndrome Resource Syndrome: Climate change poses escalating physical, social, and financial risks, especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Down syndrome. This Earth Day, join us as we explore how we can improve our climate resilience, with our Sustainability Ambassador Nika Zondag, and a presentation by Dr. Sébastien Jodoin, who is researching the role of disability rights in addressing complex environmental and health issues and challenges. Read more
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Thursday, April 23, 9 am "How to Break the Climate Silence.”
From Re.Climate: Canadians aren’t sharing their concerns about climate change with each other. To see how we can change this, Re.Climate has invited panellists who are having climate conversations every day. They’ll offer practical advice for how to talk to elected officials, how to broach climate and climate solutions in daily life, and how to break through the noise on social media platforms. Register here
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Thursday, April 23, 7 pm Birds and Climate Change with Dick Cannings (Online)
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From First Things First Okanagan: Richard "Dick" Cannings, a Penticton local, is a biologist, author, educator, and former MP. He will be sharing his decades of knowledge of birds in the South Okanagan and BC and the changes he's seen as climate impacts nature. Register here
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Monday, April 27, 9 am-4:30 pm BCSEA Energy Connections 2026 (Vancouver)
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From BCSEA: We’re excited to invite you to BC's premier clean energy networking and knowledge-sharing event, in Vancouver. It brings together leaders from industry, government, utilities, Indigenous partners, innovators, and investors for a full day of insights, collaboration, and connection. Our Keynote Speaker is the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, Vancouver. Register here to attend in person ($50 to $380) or here to attend by Zoom ($35 to $260)
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Monday, April 27, 7 pm What are the Health Harms of Flaring from LNG? (In Squamish)
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From CAPE and friends: Doctors and nurses will share the latest research on the threats that LNG development poses for public health, especially in rural and Indigenous communities. Residents will share their firsthand experience in Kitimat where excess flaring by LNG Canada is affecting the health and wellbeing of community members. Brackendale Art Gallery: Café & Culture Centre, 41950 Government Road, Squamish. Details here
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Wednesday, April 29, 7 pm Do We Still Care About Climate Change? (In Vancouver)
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From UBC Centre for Democracy: Climate change is an ever growing existential threat to our species, yet many polls show climate is not a top priority. What does this mean for communities on the frontlines of climate change? Join our conversation with Eugene Kung, staff lawyer for West Coast Environmental Law; Andrea Reimer, former Vancouver City Councillor who spearheaded the Greenest City plan; and Seth Klein, author of A Good War. Vancouver, Central Library, Register here
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Thursday, April 30, 8:30 am-10 am Victoria Climate Coffee
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Victoria Climate Coffee is a monthly meet-up for people across the Region who are involved in or interested in climate action. Launched in 2023, Climate Coffee hosts regular meet-ups in 30+ cities worldwide, convening founders, investors, operators, scientists and students in informal surroundings to chat about all things climate. It’s a place where everyone can meet and talk openly about how to approach climate issues. Hub International, 645 Tyee Rd, Room #200, Esquimalt. Details here
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Thursday, April 30, 7 pm What are the Health Harms of Flaring from LNG? (In Vancouver)
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From CAPE and friends: Doctors and nurses will share the latest research on the threats that LNG development poses for public health, especially in rural and Indigenous communities. Residents will share their firsthand experience in Kitimat where excess flaring by LNG Canada is affecting the health and wellbeing of community members. SFU Harbour Centre - Fletcher Challenge Theatre, 555 West Hastings. Details here
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May 11 – 15 Allyship, Solidarity and Transforming Relations (In Victoria)
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From UVic Continuing Studies: Settler colonialism and capitalism have damaged relationships with land and with each other. As we seek to build strong alliances between Indigenous Peoples and settlers we need to be unlearning white supremacy, hierarchy and dominance, and learning to build trust, reciprocity and accountability. $654. Details here
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Grants, Job Vacancies and More!
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Are You Hosting a Climate Event Through a PICS-Network University? We Can Provide Support.
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From PICS: Our University Climate Knowledge Mobilization Events program supports climate change-related research dissemination, knowledge mobilization, and events hosted by PICS university (UBC, SFU, UNBC, UVic) groups, organizations, departments, or institutes. The program offers up to $2,500 for eligible events. We aim to support up to 35 events a year and will close when funding is fully subscribed. Read more
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Environment Funders
Their list of members is here - a useful source of thinking when it comes to fundraising
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WE-CAN’s Fundraising Toolkit for Climate Action Groups is here
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From all of us in the West Coast Climate Action Network
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We honour the title and rights of the Indigenous peoples on whose ancestral lands we live and work.
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