Robb Barnes 🇨🇦

Graphic from @ieefainstitute.bsky.social

I remember when people told us that renewable generation would always be a marginal factor in grids.

You can still hear versions of this today.

If it wasn't obvious already, those arguments were never right to begin with.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

Researchers warn of negative health outcomes from fracking in the B.C. Peace region | CBC News One Dawson Creek family physician told city council she’s seen the prevalence of rare cancers at an alarming frequency, and claims exposure to contaminants from nearby fracking is to blame.

When you hear provinces like BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and now Nova Scotia talking up fracking, read the fine print:

The health consequences could be devastating.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Canadian Provinces, Territories Pledge to Boost Grid Infrastructure A new National Energy Corridor Agreement commits 10 Canadian provinces and territories to break down longstanding barriers between provincial grids and enable a more connected, resilient and self-reli...

This sounds promising.

With the global race for clean energy and US threats, there has never been a better time to build a clean, connected, Canadian grid.

Federal investment will be key to unlocking Canada's potential here.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/nation-build...

Middle East War Spotlights Stability of Renewables and Efficiency Iran attacked oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, oil and gas prices rose sharply, Donald Trump said the “hardest hits” were yet to come, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made her fore...

Renewables are a must if we really want to be serious about resiliency - in the face of geopolitical upheaval, climate-induced severe weather, economic shocks, and so much more.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/widening-mid...

Chart: US to overwhelmingly build clean power in 2026 A federal agency says solar, battery, and wind additions will vastly outpace new gas facilities in what’s set to be a record year for power plant…

This image speaks volumes.

Trump can ignore the scientific consensus on climate change all he wants, but it doesn't change the economic case for renewables in the US.

Canada, there's never been a better time for clean energy.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...

Researchers warn of negative health outcomes from fracking in the B.C. Peace region | CBC News One Dawson Creek family physician told city council she’s seen the prevalence of rare cancers at an alarming frequency, and claims exposure to contaminants from nearby fracking is to blame.

Researchers warn of negative health outcomes from fracking in the B.C. Peace region.

52 studies over 20 years show cancer and other illnesses linked to fracking activity
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

IEA Drops Climate from List of Energy Priorities The International Energy Agency has dropped any explicit reference to climate change from its list of policy priorities, bowing to months of pressure from the Trump administration after several years ...

Embarrassing to watch the @iea.org bend the knee to Trump's anti-science crusade.

But the funny thing about physics is that they don't care about politics.

The climate crisis will only get worse until we enact a rational response.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/update-iea-b...

Manitoba's Joss Reimer is named Canada's new chief public health officer | CBC News Health Minister Marjorie Michel has announced that the face of Manitoba's pandemic immunization efforts, Dr. Joss Reimer, will be Canada's new chief public health officer.

Huge congratulations to @jossreimer.bsky.social on her appointment as Canada's new chief public health officer.

We live in a time of deep misinformation and disinformation on health. This is a critical role; I'm glad the feds chose wisely here.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Canada's skyrocketing insurance payouts for extreme weather are unsustainable. Here's how Ottawa can fix it The cost of extreme weather on Canadian households and communities is mounting, driven primarily by flooding and wildfire. The financial fallout, writes the authors, is on an unsustainable trajectory.

The numbers are staggering.

After adjusting for inflation and national wealth, insured losses have gone up 10x over 30 years.

Canada has a plan (the National Adaptation Strategy), but we've been failing to put money where our mouth is.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.thestar.com/business/opi...

Yes!

There are so many more options for 'projects of national interest' than pipelines and LNG.

Canadians want solutions - better homes, a clean and connected grid, and an expanded EV charging network, among others.

Let's get to work.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

🌍 Grateful to @volts.wtf for having me on to talk about climate and alt meats.

Roberts says I make the case “in about as energetic and comprehensive a way as you could possibly ask.”

If you listen, please let me know what you think:
volts.wtf/p/can-fake-meat-help-solve-climate

Study finds global increase in hot, dry days ideal for wildfires Dangerous days have nearly tripled in past 45 years – and increase largely driven by human-made warming

Dangerous days for wildfires - namely, hot and dry ones - have nearly tripled in the past 45 years due largely to human-caused climate change.

This underscores the importance of climate action as Canada enters another wildfire season.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Growing evidence points to link between autism and wildfire smoke Two new studies have identified an alarming connection between exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy and autism in young children.

Some very troubling findings on the links between autism and wildfire smoke are emerging from the literature. Still so many unknowns, but worth a closer look.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

grist.org/health/growi...

Global meat giants are being held to account for greenwashing Recent legal challenges have shifted burden of proof back onto meat producers to justify their climate-friendly marketing claims

Great to see this development.

"EWF alleged that Tyson’s promise to reach 'net-zero' greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and its sale of 'climate-smart' beef, could not be credibly substantiated."

corporateknights.com/climate/glob...

Methane Estimates Could Fall Vastly Short, Ignore 80% of Actual Emissions, Researcher Says Methane releases from natural gas extraction and distribution could be 23% lower or up to 316% higher than standard measurement systems show, raising new questions about how countries can measure and ...

Canada should be congratulated on its new methane rules. Methane is a super-pollutant that traps much more heat than CO2.

But the devil is in the data. Studies like this show we may not be grasping the true scope of methane pollution.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/methane-esti...

Canada Not on Track to Hit Net-Zero by 2050, or Meet Any Climate Targets: Study Canada not on track to meet any of its climate targets A new report says Canada is not on track to meet any of its climate targets—not the 2026 interim emissions reduction target, the 2030 Paris commitment, or even the long-term goal of net-zero emissions...

On climate, Carney's 1st year as PM has been marked by failure and backsliding.

We need to turn this around. It's time to ramp up carbon pricing while investing in true nation-building projects like a clean, connected Canada-wide grid.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/canada-not-o...

New analysis from @climateinstitute.bsky.social: Canada is off course for its climate goals, with more riding on a few policies.

It's time to get serious, Canada. We need to weave climate progress into efforts to build a clean + connected economy independent of the US.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

Analysis: China’s CO2 emissions have now been ‘flat or falling’ for 21 months - Carbon Brief China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 1% in the final quarter of 2025, likely securing a decline of 0.3% for the full year as a whole.

Like all countries, China has more work to do on climate change.

But it's remarkable to see it reverse its emissions trajectory.

'What about China?' never was a justification for climate inaction, but today it looks even more out of step with reality.

www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...

Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say Continued global heating could set irreversible course by triggering climate tipping points, but most people unaware

Profound implications:

"Research shows that several Earth system components may be closer to destabilising than once believed. While the exact risk is uncertain, it is clear that current climate [action] commitments are insufficient.”

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation

When 1 of 2 major parties in the world's most powerful country doesn't believe climate change exists, we have a major problem.

This admin. is changing its tune on measles because of overwhelming evidence. Yet climate-fuelled severe weather warnings go unheeded.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/c...

Prepare or Repair: Save $10B Per Year by Climate-Proofing Infrastructure, Institute Urges Canada can save a bare minimum of $5 to $10 billion per year by climate-proofing its public infrastructure before heavy rains and more frequent, severe heat waves take their toll, the Canadian Climate...

Preparing and responding to climate impacts doesn't grab headlines and usually slides down the political agenda, but it's absolutely critical - for our health, our collective security and our bottom line.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/prepare-or-r...

Saskatchewan court dismisses coal power challenge | The Narwhal A Saskatchewan judge dismissed an application challenging the province’s decision to extend the use of coal power plants

Despite mountains of evidence on the severe health harms of coal-fired power, Saskatchewan continues to drag the puck on phasing out coal.

The fact that this puts Sask at odds with federal and international policy should alarm everyone.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

thenarwhal.ca/court-denies...

Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points

The problem with climate change isn't gradual warming. It's extreme weather disasters and catastrophic tipping points.

"We can't bail out the Earth like we did the banks" should hang on the wall of every government official.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Study Ties Particle Pollution From Wildfire Smoke to 24,100 U.S. Deaths per Year “Our message is: Wildfire smoke is very dangerous. It is an increasing threat to human health,” said study author Yaguang Wei of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as a new paper links wildf...

The closer we look at wildfire health impacts, the worse the news gets.

Chronic exposure to pollution from wildfires has now been linked to tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States, according to a new study.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/study-ties-p...

Canadian Cities Must Assess Risk as U.S. Faces ‘Climate Debt Doom Loop’ For decades, both bond-issuing municipalities and investors have proceeded with confidence that municipal tax bases would guarantee stable, predictable debt repayment and returns. That assumption is i...

Governments ignore adaptation investments at their own peril.

Climate impacts are the kind of long-term challenge that don't show up on the radar until it's too late.

Let's be proactive and fund the National Adaptation Strategy.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/canadian-cit...

In Ecuador, emissions and hospitalizations fell 'in lockstep' with electric stove adoption A new analysis of one of the world’s largest residential electrification programs suggests switching from gas to electric stoves can reduce climate emissions and hospitalization rates faster than prev...

Great numbers on the health benefits of electric stoves:

"for a location where an additional 1% ... enrolled in the program, hospitalization rates for both all-cause illness ... and for respiratory illness ... fell by 0.74%."

@cape-acme.bsky.social

sustainability.stanford.edu/news/ecuador...

For Canadians, Decarbonization Is a Patriotic Act The next wave of climate action is coming, and Canada must leapfrog the United States to ensure that our economy is positioned to prosper, writes Rick Smith, president of the Canadian Climate Institut...

Great piece by @climateinstitute.bsky.social's Rick Smith

Canada has found itself at a very important moment in history - for the clean energy transition and vis à vis our American neighbours.

Let's make wise choices.

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.theenergymix.com/for-canadian...

What Carney didn’t say at Davos The prime minister's speech was a radical contrast to the weaving, menacing ramble from US President Donald Trump later in the program. But it left out one thing: climate.

Great, timely piece.

"If 'values-based realism' is going to mean anything, for very long, we can’t wish the reality of climate change offstage while great powers fight over minerals, resources and sea lanes. It is the stage."

@cape-acme.bsky.social

www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/26/o...

Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan dead at 59 | CBC News Former Liberal cabinet minister Kirsty Duncan has died at the age of 59 following a years-long battle with cancer.

Such sad news.

When I worked at Climate Action Network Canada, Kirsty Duncan helped us coordinate a breakfast with the all-party climate caucus.

I was so impressed by her enthusiasm and engagement on the climate file, and on science issues in general.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Do you have questions about peak grid load, battery storage systems, or how these changes might affect you personally?

Register online and join us on Thursday, January 29th!
bit.ly/CAFES_Lunch_and_Learn
🕚 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
📍Bayview Yards: 7 Bayview Station Rd