Greenspiration News & Events: Solar Punk

Mon Mar 9 14:45:06 UTC 2026

INTERNATIONAL

Solar Punk in Africa

How solar and batteries have taken hold, how African countries are using the tech to leapfrog others in the west and the amazing things they are achieving as a result. 25 min. podcast

https://climatedrift.substack.com/p/off-the-record-climate-edition-solar 

Humanity heating planet faster than ever before, study finds

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/06/humanity-heating-planet-faster-than-ever-before-study-finds

War in Iran convulses energy markets

https://www.energyflux.news/war-in-iran-convulses-energy-markets/

Fossil fuels will be collateral damage in Trump’s war on Iran

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/03/03/opinion/trump-iran-attack-fossil-fuels

Tehran residents warned of acid rain after oil storage attack

Iran’s Red Crescent Society tells locals to avoid exposure as capital is engulfed in smoke

https://www.ft.com/content/d08d89bb-89f5-41c2-9835-e3ac59b67cfa

The Desire for Terror - And the defense of democracy - by Timothy Snyder

https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-desire-for-terror

The endless carbon wars - Climate round-up by Chris Hatch

https://mailchi.mp/nationalobserver/the-endless-carbon-wars?e=02591b0337\

Debunking Nuclear Hopium - Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, Advanced Nuclear Reactors, and Fusion

With Dr. Gordon Edwards 

https://www.grassrootsinfo.org/forums

Abandoning radiation protection will further endanger vulnerable populations

A May 23 executive order from President Trump will now transform the stated mission of Nuclear Regulatory Commission from safety regulator to industry enabler

https://beyondnuclearinternational.org/2025/12/07/nuclear-power-will-never-be-beneficial/

CANADA

Canadians Want to Become a Renewable Energy Superpower, not a Fossil Fuel Superpower

https://reclimate.ca/canadians-want-to-become-a-renewable-energy-superpower/

Carney shifts Canada’s position as Trump fails to justify war against Iran

https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/carney-shifts-canadas-position-as-trump-fails-to-justify-war-against-iran/

Canada’s Immigration Backlash: What’s Really Happening? - 40 min. video podcast

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

Alberta Federation of Labour calls for oil windfall tax to avoid profiteering amid war in Iran

https://rabble.ca/labour/alberta-federation-of-labour-calls-for-oil-windfall-tax-to-avoid-profiteering-amid-war-in-iran/

Petition calling on the Gov't of Canada to make energy efficiency a nation-building priority

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7220

Turn off the tap on plastic pollution: Canada winds court battle on single use plastics as corporate lobbying continues

https://thepointer.com/article/2026-03-07/turn-off-the-tap-on-plastic-pollution-canada-wins-court-battle-on-single-use-plastics-as-lobbying-continues

Time for a left-wing populist - by Linda McQuaig

https://rabble.ca/columnists/a-left-wing-populist-is-what-the-ndp-needs-in-the-age-of-obscene-wealth-inequality/

ONTARIO

The IAAC must examine alternatives to the proposed Port Hope nuclear station

https://www.cleanairalliance.org/iaac-alternatives/

One data centre or one million homes? Mapping Ontario's proposed hyperscaler boom

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/03/02/news/ontario-towns-cities-data-centres-mapped

Protect Ontario Waters: No New or Renewed Water-Taking Permits Issued Until Safeguards Are Restored

https://win.newmode.net/waterwatchers/suspendpptwnonewwatertakingpermitsuntilthesystemisfixed

Regional chief in Ontario says government walks a thin line when it comes to the next Idle No More

The opposition was loud when the Canadian government announced Bill C-5 and Ontario announced Bill 5. Both bills allow gov't and corporations to bypass environmental legislation.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/facetoface/scott-mcleod-anishinabek-nation-bill-5-bill-c-5-ontario-development-idle-no-more/

TORONTO

Impacts of Portlands Energy Centre must be considered by Ontario Energy Board

The Ontario government has ignored health and climate concerns raised by local residents and Toronto Council about the Portlands Energy Centre (PEC) on Toronto’s waterfront.

https://beachmetro.com/2026/03/08/letters-to-the-editor-impacts-of-portlands-energy-centre-must-be-considered-by-ontario-energy-board/

Can Transit Finally Reduce Car Dependence in Toronto?

https://www.tvo.org/video/can-transit-finally-reduce-car-dependence-in-toronto

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EVENTS

Nuclear Issues in Port Hope: Past Present, Future 

Mon. March 9, 6:30 p.m. ET

Port Hope Town Park Recreation Centre, 62 McCaul Street, Room 2, Port Hope

Faye More, Port Hope Health Concerns Committee and Theresa McClenghan of Canadian Environmental Health Associaition will discuss OPG's Proposal for New Nuclear in Port Hope at Wesleyville, public comments posted on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Registry, next steps, and Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) Remediation Issues from past nuclear contamination.

https://www.porthopehealthconcerns.com/ 

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The Real Effects of Nuclear Power: What the Industry Isn't Telling Us

Tues. March 10, 3 p.m. ET

Live webstreamed interviews with Gordon Edwards, Dr. Nancy Covington, Dr. Dale Dewar, Angela Bischoff, and more.

• What are the long term environmental impacts of nuclear power?

• How does nuclear development affect water, land, and community health?

• What voices are being left out of the conversation?

https://www.facebook.com/events/1655520095619683  

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The Cost of Growth

Tues. March 10, 6 - 9 p.m. ET 

Innis College, U of T, Toronto

Wildfires, floods, rising costs of living, growing inequality, geopolitical tensions, the threat of AI—many of us feel that something in our world is no longer working. Are these separate challenges, or are they somehow connected? How might we navigate this moment and come out on the other side? Join us for an evening of film and conversation, as we explore how these challenges might be linked to stories we tell ourselves about progress, growth, and success. And how GDP is a grossly flawed measure of human and planetary flourishing. We will be screening the documentary The Cost of Growth, which invites us to look beneath today’s crises and ask deeper questions about our economic systems, whose interests they serve, and what alternative futures might be possible.

https://luma.com/pqxnymxg  

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Turning Conflict into Trust: Communication Strategies for Urban Transformation 

Tues. March 10, 11 a.m. ET

Streets, plazas, and public spaces are where urban change becomes real—and where resistance often explodes. A tweet, a construction photo, or an angry neighbor can derail months of planning. That’s why strategic communication and brand positioning are not “nice to have” in urban projects; they are core infrastructure. Drawing on years of experience in Barcelona, Maite Peris has led communication and public engagement for major transformations: Superblocks, the first Low Emission Zone, school streets, new bike lanes, pedestrianization, and traffic-calming measures across the city. Through real examples - both successes and mistakes - Maite shows how a clear communication strategy can turn conflict into collaboration, reduce reputational risk, and build long-term support for public space and mobility projects.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0iAsHaTtSuq8AKHoC3n9Ew#/registration  

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Is There Ethical AI Use in Climate Journalism?

Tues. March 10, noon ET

In this one-hour discussion, we'll discuss some of the ethical questions about using AI in journalism, specifically on the climate story. Panelists will address a range of questions, including what factors to take into consideration before using AI, which tools could deepen our reporting, how to be transparent with audiences about our use of these tools, and how journalists should consider the climate toll of AI tools and report them to audiences.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sday50uVTn-lIA0om1URlA#/registration  

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Unlocking DER potential in Canada

Tues. March 10, 2 p.m. ET

Until recently, energy consumers have played a more passive role in our centralized electricity system. Today, we are seeing a surge in household adoption of electrified clean technologies—including water heaters, smart thermostats, EVs and heat pumps—that can be harnessed to reduce energy consumption or shift it to lower demand peaks. These DERs (distributed energy resources) can offer significant opportunities for grid operators and distributors to reduce infrastructure costs, but only if our energy planning keeps up with this transformation.

https://sfu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_35YbVddjQCmsJLkiH2yDIg#/registration

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Ontario’s Electricity Future: High-Cost Nuclear or Lower Electricity Bills? 

Wed. March 11, 1:30 p.m.

Jack Gibbons, Chair of the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, will examine the Government of Ontario’s plans to meet 75% of Ontario’s electricity needs with nuclear energy by 2050 and the lower cost alternatives.

https://canadiancor.com/event/cacor-live-jack-gibbons-ontarios-electricity-future-high-cost-nuclear-or-lower-electricity-bills/

https://canadiancor.com/

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Forum on Climate, Conflict and Gender

Wed. March 11, 9 - 11 a.m. ET

Join us for an online forum to explore the intersections of climate change, conflict and gender inequality. Hear from some of KAIROS' global partners who are working with women confronting these interconnected and compounding crises. KAIROS’ Women Peacebuilders at the Nexus of Climate, Conflict and Gender project — co-funded by Global Affairs Canada — strengthens women’s leadership and collective action for climate justice and sustainable peace. Through training, advocacy and economic tools, the project supports women to influence policy, build resilient livelihoods and advance gender equality in their communities. Simultaneous translation in English, French and Spanish will be available.

https://secure.kairoscanada.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=432 

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Save OSAP Townhall

Thur. March 12, 7 p.m.

TBA when registering

Doug Ford's Conservatives just slashed OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program), making postsecondary education more expensive at the worst possible time. We're bringing students, campus organizers, unions and their workers together from across Toronto to fight back. This town hall is a space to get informed, get organized, and demand better for students in Ontario. Join us to #SaveOSAP. Hosted by the Ontairo New Democrats.

https://www.ontariondp.ca/SaveOSAPTownHall 

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Negative Emissions Technologies - silver bullets or false promises? 

Sat. March 14, 1 p.m. ET

This revealing talk is presented by Jonas Allesson, Ph.D. Candidate. It focuses on Carbon Capture and Storage, which has re-entered the climate agenda in recent years. Jonas Allesson is linked to the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Science. He studies the politics and policies of carbon dioxide removal, focusing especially on the political economy of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS).

https://actionnetwork.org/events/negative-emissions-technologies-silver-bullets-or-false-promises/ 

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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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