Sudbury climate activist Cathy Orlando says ‘fossil fuels and follow the money’ are the F-words for accelerating climate action
What do I want for Valentine’s Day? For Canadians to focus on the F-words: Fossil fuels and follow the money. These are the key words for accelerating real climate action.
I’m deeply concerned by the language of “decarbonized oil,” the ongoing LNG subsidies and the over-reliance on ineffective carbon capture techniques. While carbon capture does have its place, we cannot hinge fossil fuel expansion on unproven promises. The science is clear: We need to move beyond false solutions.
Some may think removing fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting them is the end goal. It’s not. It’s a critical step, but we must go further by following the money and redirecting it in three key ways:
Regulations that wean our economy off fossil fuels, sector by sector.
A carbon price that’s applied strategically without burdening Canadians already struggling with affordability.
Financial sector regulations that require full disclosure of climate risks.
We need all three pathways. Together, they can create a pathway to a liveable world.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby isn’t against any policy; we’re for a liveable world. I’m hopeful that if we open our minds — on all sides of this fight — we can find common ground and a safe path forward.
Let’s make this Valentine’s Day about love for our planet — and the future we all share. Who’s with me? Read the short booklet, Embrace the F-Words, to find out more, which is available for download here and available to read here.
Cathy Orlando is a climate activist who lives in Greater Sudbury.