DeSmogCAST 5: Canada's Clean Energy Revolution, Oilsands Tailings Pollution and COP20 Expectations

onDec 6, 2014 @ 08:05 PST

In this week’s episode of DeSmogCAST we cover a new report in Canada that shows the clean energy sector making huge gains in investment and job-creation, despite a lack of strong support at the federal level. We also discuss a new study from Environment Canada that shows toxic pollutants from the Alberta oilsands’ tailings ponds are being emitted into the atmosphere at much higher rates than previous estimated. Finally we turn our attention to the UNFCCC COP20 underway in Lima, Peru and ask what we can expect to see in the next week’s top level, international climate negotiations.

Hosted by DeSmogBlog contributor Farron Cousins, this episode features DeSmog Canada’s executive director Emma Gilchrist, DeSmogUK’s new deputy editor Kyla Mandel and yours truly.

For more episodes of DeSmogCAST visit our DeSmogBlog Youtube page.

See below for articles mentioned in this episode:

Clean Energy Provided More Jobs Last Year Than Oilsands: Report

Geothermal Offers Cheaper, Cleaner Alternative to Site C Dam: New Report

Three Decades and Counting: How B.C. Has Failed to Investigate Alternatives to Site C Dam

Environment Canada Study Reveals Oilsands Tailings Ponds Emit Toxins to Atmosphere at Much Higher Levels than Reported

What Can We Expect From the Lima Climate Talks?

By Carol Linnitt

Event | Join Naomi Klein, Michael E. Mann, and Jim Hoggan to Celebrate DeSmog's 20th Anniversary

ByDeSmog

onJul 1, 2026 @ 16:56 PDT

Sign up for our July 8 virtual conversation on combatting fossil fuels and fascism, keeping up with climate denial, and solving polluted information ecosystems.

Seafood Industry Giants Failing to Tackle Pollution, New Study Finds

ByBrigitte Wear

onJul 1, 2026 @ 03:12 PDT

More farmed salmon will not necessarily bring better food security, say researchers.

Series: Spotlight on Industrial Aquaculture

uk/‘Detailed and Determined Scoop’: DeSmog Wins Association of British Science Writers’ Award

ByDeSmog

onJun 30, 2026 @ 04:10 PDT

Clare Carlile's reporting was recognized under the ‘News Item of the Year’ award for revealing how UK government staffing shortages would harm the environment during a historic drought.