In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the world of carbon offsets. They break down the basics of what carbon offsets are and how they work, as well as the various types of offsets available, such as forestry projects and renewable energy credits. They also examine how carbon offsets are used in Canada by both businesses and government initiatives, and discuss the controversies and effectiveness of offsets in reducing global emissions.

Tune in to learn more about the role of carbon offsets in Canada's national climate strategy and the ongoing debate surrounding their future impact on the environment.

Season 2 of Eco Echoes is sponsored by the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS) at UBC Sauder. You can reach out to CCBS to learn more about their upcoming SME Climate Clinic by sending an email to: climatecentre@sauder.ubc.ca.

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In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the historical approaches of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to climate and energy issues, analyzing how their past influences their current platforms.

They delve into the key policies Harris is advocating for, such as building on the Biden administration's climate agenda and clarifying her stance on fracking. On the flip side, they discuss Trump's shift in stance on climate and energy policies, his emphasis on energy independence, and the impact of regulatory rollbacks on environmental regulations. We'll also examine how both candidates balance energy security with climate goals, their impact on U.S. businesses, the U.S.'s standing in international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement, and what Canadians should focus on regarding U.S. climate action.

Tune in to gain insights into how the outcome of the election could shape the future of climate action.

Season 2 of Eco Echoes is sponsored by the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS) at UBC Sauder. You can reach out to CCBS to learn more about their upcoming SME Climate Clinic by sending an email to: climatecentre@sauder.ubc.ca

Follow Eco Echoes and reach out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eco-echoes/

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon Fernandes and Amer Abu-Khajil explore the climate and energy platforms of the major parties in the BC Provincial Election. They are joined by guests Megan Lohmann, CEO of the Community Energy Association, and George Benson, a strategist, writer, and researcher working at the intersection of economic development and climate action.

As usual, the group starts with an introduction to provincial elections in British Columbia across history followed by a deep dive into the platforms of the NDP, Conservative, and Green Party. Some of the areas covered in this lively discussion are the parties’ perspectives on electricity generation, the Carbon Tax, and the Zero Carbon Step Code.

Tune in to gain a better understanding of the platforms of the different parties and how the upcoming election could impact BC's environmental future.

Episode Links & Resources:

• The Community Energy Association works with local governments, elected officials and Indigenous communities on climate and energy planning and implementation. Learn more at https://www.communityenergy.ca.
• George Benson is a strategist, writer, and researcher working at the intersection of economic development and climate action. Learn more about his work at https://georgeprbenson.com.
• Elections BC: https://elections.bc.ca/
• BC’s Clean Energy Strategy document released in 2024: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/electricity-alternative-energy/community-energy-solutions/powering_our_future_-_bcs_clean_energy_strategy_2024.pdf
• Energy Step Code, where the Zero Carbon Step Code is explained further: https://energystepcode.ca/
• BC Hydro 2024 Call for Power: https://www.bchydro.com/work-with-us/selling-clean-energy/2024-call-for-power.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=redirect&utm_content=2024callforpower

• FortisBC Request for Expressions of Interest for energy projects: https://www.fortisbc.com/about-us/projects-planning/energy-projects/current-electricity-projects/request-for-expressions-of-interest-for-new-power

Season 2 of Eco Echoes is sponsored by the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS) at UBC Sauder. You can reach out to CCBS to learn more about their upcoming SME Climate Clinic by sending an email to: climatecentre@sauder.ubc.ca.

Follow Eco Echoes and reach out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eco-echoes/

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the complex world of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and its role in British Columbia’s energy landscape. We start by breaking down what LNG is, how it’s produced, and why it’s often considered a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. But, as we dig deeper, we uncover the environmental concerns associated with LNG—particularly the impact of methane leaks and the lifecycle emissions that challenge its "clean" reputation.

We’ll also examine why British Columbia has become a global hub for LNG production and export, its economic benefits, and the controversial debates surrounding Indigenous rights and environmental impacts. Lastly, we discuss whether BC’s LNG expansion aligns with Canada’s climate goals under the Paris Agreement and the challenges in balancing economic growth with sustainability.

Tune in to get a full understanding of LNG’s potential and its challenges in BC’s energy future.

Follow us and reach out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eco-echoes/

Season 2 of Eco Echoes is sponsored by the Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS) at UBC Sauder. You can reach out to CCBS to learn more about their upcoming SME Climate Clinic by sending an email to: climatecentre@sauder.ubc.ca.

Welcome back to Eco Echoes - we’re excited to kick off Season 2! In this episode, Sheldon and Amer dive into politics, specifically the impacts of 2024 elections on climate and energy issues. As we established in Season 1, elections - and the policies that follow - play a significant role in shaping the direction of a country or jurisdiction. This is particularly important for climate issues, which can often be polarizing in certain regions.

In this episode, we’ll tackle questions like: What’s being discussed in the climate context? Are we making progress, or falling behind? And how does energy security factor into all of this?

Follow us and reach out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eco-echoes/

Eco Echoes is presented in collaboration with the UBC Sauder Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS): https://www.sauder.ubc.ca/climate-centre

In this bonus episode of Eco Echoes, we flip the script! Sheldon - our resident climate expert - asks Amer questions about climate that we’ve covered in the first 10 episodes of Eco Echoes. Join us for this climate trivia episode and see how many questions you would have gotten correctly! We’ve kept this episode even more light, conversational, and (dare I say) comical than usual episodes.

Follow us and reach out on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eco-echoes/

Eco Echoes is presented in collaboration with the UBC Sauder Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS): https://www.sauder.ubc.ca/climate-centre

In episode 10 of Eco Echoes, we delve into the critical intersection of climate education and workforce readiness with special guest Dean Darren Dahl, the Dean of the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. We explore the current state of climate and sustainability education, identify existing gaps, and highlight the opportunities for shaping future leaders in the field. Join us as we discuss the innovative programs at UBC Sauder, the evolving expectations from employers, and how students can best prepare for careers in sustainability. Sheldon Fernandes shares his insights on workforce trends, while Dean Darren provides an educational perspective on how institutions can better collaborate with industries to meet the growing demands of the job market. Follow us and reach out on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/eco-echoes/ Eco Echoes is presented in collaboration with the UBC Sauder Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS): sauder.ubc.ca/climate-centre

In this episode of Eco Echoes, we explore the global climate impact of international aviation and shipping. Discover how regulations like the aviation sector's CORSIA and the shipping industry's 2023 IMO Strategy are tackling emissions on a global scale. We discuss the roles of major international bodies, the effectiveness of current policies, and what future innovations might further reduce the environmental footprints of these crucial industries.

Tune in as we dissect the advancements and ongoing challenges in managing the climate impact of transporting goods and people across the world, and what it means for businesses, consumers, and the planet.

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Eco Echoes is presented in collaboration with the UBC Sauder Centre for Climate and Business Solutions (CCBS): UBC Sauder CCBS