Greenspiration News & Events: Solarpunk

Mon Dec 8 18:52:36 UTC 2025

INTERNATIONAL

Why Solarpunk is already happening in Africa - MUST READ

- The 20th century infrastructure model was: Centralized generation; Government-led; Megaproject financing; 30-year timelines; Monopolistic utilities

- The 21st century infrastructure model is: Distributed/modular; Private sector-led; PAYG financing; Deploy in days/weeks; Competitive markets

This is how things will get built going forward. It’s already happening.

https://climatedrift.substack.com/p/why-solarpunk-is-already-happening

Millions to receive free electricity in 2026 thanks to Australia’s solar boom

Australians to get free solar electricity for up to 3 hours per day

https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/05/millions-to-receive-free-electricity-in-2026-thanks-to-australias-solar-boom/

Bill McKibben on the Path to a Climate-Safe Future (hint: solar)- video recording of his presentation

https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/news-events-and-ideas/public-events/events-listings/2025/november-2025/nov-24-bill-mckibben/20251124-bill-mckibben/

Rock solid? A scientific review of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. (English starts on pg. 10)

https://www.greenpeace.ch/static/planet4-switzerland-stateless/2025/11/ed8ea7f1-rock-solid-2_bericht-mit-summary_de.pdf

The rise of the disinformation-for-hire industry

https://mailchi.mp/euvsdisinfo/dr366-6230030?e=75dc37d381

Bombed Chornobyl shelter no longer blocks radiation and needs major repair – IAEA

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/06/chornobyl-disaster-shelter-no-longer-blocks-radiation-and-needs-major-repair-iaea

CANADA

100% Renewable Canada: Mark Jacobson’s Wind, Water, Solar Master Plan - 17 min. video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAScTJDZLIU

Where Are the Customers? Why the Idea of a Pipeline to Asia Is Built on a Fantasy

Asia is electrifying. It doesn't need or want Alberta's ultra heavy sour crude.

https://energymixweekender.substack.com/p/where-are-the-customers-why-the-idea

Now you see it, now you don’t - excellent newsletter from ZeroCarbon

The Ford government just repealed all requirements to set climate targets, make a plan, and issue accountability reports along the way. What other jurisdictions will be next? Assembly of First Nations want pipeline deal scrapped. Naomi Klein on Carney's shock doctrine.

https://mailchi.mp/nationalobserver/now-you-see-it-now-you-dont?e=02591b0337

NDP Leadership Candidate Avi Lewis is calling for a Green New Deal for Canada

https://lewisforleader.ca/ideas/green-new-deal-full-plan

The Battle for Alberta 

Danielle Smith Brings the Chaos — From Pipelines to Health Care - by Charlie Angus

https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/the-battle-for-alberta

ONTARIO

Here’s How Doug Ford’s Government Will Impact Public Services and Infrastructure in 2026

A look back on a jam-packed year of new legislation in Ontario.

https://pressprogress.ca/heres-how-doug-fords-government-will-impact-public-services-and-infrastructure-in-2026/

Food bank use in Ontario hits record high with over 1M users: report

Feed Ontario said this is the ninth year in a row that food bank usage has increased, marking a 'deeply concerning' affordability crisis across the province

https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/business-economy/food-bank-use-ontario-hits-record-high-over-1m-users-report-11567290

TORONTO

Meet the four Toronto Councillors who voted for more pollution

Last week, four city councillors voted to stall action on phasing out the polluting Portlands gas plant and shifting the city to a renewable energy future.

https://www.cleanairalliance.org/four-councillors/

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EVENTS

Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD): Climate Disinformation, and What We Can DO About It

Tues. Dec. 9, 1 - 2 p.m. ET

You know climate change isn't a hoax. But do you know how climate disinformation is still influencing you? Find out how climate disinformation is being used to sabotage climate action, and what you can do about it, with Phil Newell, communications co-chair of the Climate Action Against Disinformation coalition, a network of over 90 organizations around the world who are part of a new Global Initiative on Information Integrity on Climate Change. This hour-long training will provide an entertaining overview of how disinformation really works, before explaining why many common responses, like fact checking, unfortunately won't work, and ending with what is already working and what YOU can do about it. 

https://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/events/climate-action-against-disinformation-caad-climate-disinformation-and-what-we-can-do-about-it  

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Powering What Matters: How Partnerships Take Energy Solutions from Concept to Scale

Tues. Dec. 9, noon – 1 p.m. ET

This webinar hosted by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) will highlight how targeted partnerships accelerate the journey from pilot to policy to scale, delivering real climate solutions that are clean, affordable, resilient, and accessible to all.

https://rmi.tfaforms.net/169 

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Well+Being: Good Intentions are Not Enough • Living Healthier & Happier must be The Easy Choice. 

Tues. Dec. 9, 11 a.m. ET

Guest: Gil Penalosa. Living healthier and happier, requires good intentions, but as with most New Year's resolutions, that is not enough. We know that to live healthier and happier we need to eat better, sleep longer, socialize more, exercise more, and connect with nature. Cities can and should make these 5 actions the easy choice, through policies, infrastructure, activities, and programs.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ki4pt9_UR960NJ47E9KmwQ#/registration 

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The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home

Tues. Dec. 9, 7 p.m. ET

America spends a trillion dollars a year on its military. This extraordinary spending not only detracts from our ability to address pressing social problems but compels us into foreign wars to justify our vast arsenal. Sold to us in the name of “security,” our military industrial complex actually makes us far less safe. Top policy experts William D. Hartung and Ben Freeman will discuss their new book The Trillion Dollar War Machine, which follows the profits of militarism from traditional Pentagon contractors, who receive more than half of the Pentagon’s budget, to the upstart high-tech firms that shamelessly promote unproven and destabilizing technologies. The Trillion Dollar War Machine shows who is pulling the strings and pushing for war, and offers a blueprint for how we can shut down the war machine and restore American security and prosperity.  

https://secure.everyaction.com/7cR7gtXz40m9mhQAleZXlA2

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The Buck Starts Here! A Speculative Budgeting Lab

Tues. Dec. 9, 6 p.m. ET and/or

Sat. Dec. 16, 1:30 p.m. ET

Feeling frustrated, annoyed, or just plain confused by all the noise around the newly passed federal budget? This workshop is a chance to slow down, make sense of what’s actually in the budget (Coles Notes style, we promise!), and unpack what’s at stake. Major projects? “Climate competitiveness”? Pipelines? The disappearing act of the feminist international assistance policy? What on earth is going on? Once we’ve decoded the budget together, we’ll switch gears and step into imagination mode.

With curiosity and collaboration, we’ll co-create an alternative budget rooted in shared values like climate action, justice, and care. Think of it as a collective exercise in political play and future-building.

https://luma.com/3co6vq2o

https://luma.com/s3b2dnn5

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Designing Safe Streets — The Latest

Wed. Dec. 10, 2 - 3 p.m. ET

We believe in giving safety the priority it deserves in street design, rather than prioritizing the speedy movement of vehicles. So what are the best ways to redesign existing streets for safety?

    - Gain an overview of best practices for safe street design

    - Understand recent developments in the practice

    - Discover the latest research on street safety

    - Explore inspiring examples

https://americawalks.org/webinar-designing-safe-streets-the-latest/  

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International Human Rights Day

December 10

Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on 10 December. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.  

https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day 

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Toronto Climate Comedy 5.0! Stand-up & network for Climate!

Fri. Dec. 12, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. ET

Society Clubhouse, 967 College Street (near Dovercourt), Toronto 

Are you climate conscious and stressed about what is happening? Do you want to have fun while doing your part? We have got the best show for you where your laughs will make the world a better place. $20 if you use the code FRIEND (10% off)

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-climate-comedy-50-stand-up-network-for-climate-tickets-1967769638961 

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No More Noise Online Drop-in

Sat. Dec. 13, noon ET

No More Noise is a Toronto-based group that is creating a movement. They are the leading anti-noise advocacy group in Canada. They work to engage citizens and change policy by using data to reduce harmful noise. Get an update or learn about their many activities. Plus, participate in constructive discussion about improving the soundscape of our cities.

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_Lj3_uWWR4-rcmJIFrWAOQ#/registration

https://nomorenoisetoronto.com/

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Climate & Militarism — A Conversation About Canada’s Future - with Avi Lewis

Sat. Dec 13, 6 - 8 pm ET

CSI, 192 Spadina, 3rd floor, Toronto

Join the Avi Lewis for NDP Leader campaign for a powerful discussion on how Canada can choose climate action and peace over runaway militarism. As the government pushes military spending toward $150 billion a year, Canadians are facing the real crises of climate chaos, soaring living costs, and deepening inequality. Avi’s vision is a Canadian Green New Deal: a 10-year mobilization to create millions of good union jobs, build clean local industries and food systems, launch a Youth Climate Corps, expand community and Indigenous-led renewable energy, and electrify transportation and industry—all while upholding the right to free, prior, and informed consent for Indigenous peoples. 

https://act.lewisforleader.ca/climate-militarism-a-conversation-about-canada-s-future

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More Toronto events                                                                                                                                                                                            

https://showuptoronto.ca/ 

For the best Canadian climate and energy news, visit and subscribe to the Energy Mix newsletter

http://theenergymix.com/ 

Democracy Now Daily Show - global peace, justice and enviro news

https://www.democracynow.org/ 

Tooker Tapes Archive Project - Youtube Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3IwhNn-WrINTQz2fBNayDoBWLW0y59le  

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Submissions, subscribes, unsubscribes, and comments: mailto:angela at cleanairalliance.org  

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