In this episode of Break in Case of Emergency, hosts Erin Blondeau and Emiko Newman speak with Geoff Dembicki, global managing editor of DeSmog, to discuss the intricate connections between conservative politics, corporate lobbying, and climate denialism. The conversation explores the mapping of Pierre Poilievre’s inner circle, the influence of lobbyists on climate policy and insights from Jordan Peterson’s ARC conference, where right-wing activists strategized against climate action and what they deem “woke” ideology. Dembicki emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements and the need for a united front in countering the climate counter movement, while also highlighting the role of media in shaping public perception.This episode aired on April 19 2025.Articles/podcasts mentioned in this episode:Poilievre Mapped: His Inner Circle of Lobbyists and Right-wing Activists (Geoff Dembicki, DeSmog, March 25)How Jordan Peterson Became a Global Anti-Net Zero Power Broker (Geoff Dembicki, DeSmog, March 24)The Takeover: Shock and Awe – Canada’s National Observer (April 7)The Takeover: Jordan Peterson Power Broker – Canada’s National Observer (April 9)The Takeover: Get Rid of it All – Canada’s National Observer (April 15)Credits: Produced by Doug Hamilton-Evans, Emiko Newman, and Erin Blondeau. Hosted by Erin Blondeau and Emiko Newman. Featuring Geoff Dembicki. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith.
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Special election episode: Where is the climate crisis in Canadian party platforms? (w/ Anjali Appadurai, Juan Vargas Alba, Seth Klein & Alex Cool-Fergus)
In this episode of Break in Case of Emergency, host Erin Blondeau is joined by Anjali Appadurai, Juan Vargas Alba, Seth Klein and Alex Cool-Fergus of Climate Action Network Canada to discuss party platforms and climate policy leading up to the federal election.This round-table style podcast episode explores the lack of attention to climate issues in party platforms, the implications of tax cuts as a response to economic challenges, and the critical need to address immigration policies in the context of climate change.The conversation also highlights the importance of advocating for Palestinian rights as part of a broader climate justice framework, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these issues in the political discourse leading up to the election.This episode aired on April 11 2025Credits:Produced by Doug Hamilton-Evans and Erin Blondeau. Hosted by Erin Blondeau with guests from the Climate Emergency Unit, Juan Vargas Alba, Seth Klein and Anjali Appadurai. With special guest Alex Cool-Fergus. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to the Climate Crisis and Election Context01:23 - Party Stances on Climate Change07:10 - Tax Cuts and Economic Policies14:31 - Immigration and Climate Intersections26:58 - Palestinian Rights and Climate Justice
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Special election episode: Making sense of the Trump assaults and unpacking Canada’s ‘Shock Election’ (w/ Seth Klein & Naomi Klein)
In this special election episode, co-hosts Anjali Appadurai and Erin Blondeau interview siblings Naomi Klein and Seth Klein to discuss the current political climate in Canada leading up to the federal election, unpacking the nuances of a nationalistic response, the role of fossil fuel corporations, and the need for effective and transformative climate policies.Seth and Naomi provide insights into the shock doctrine, right-wing populism, and what we’re hearing (and not hearing) from the main party leaders. The conversation emphasizes the importance of organizing for climate justice and the need for imaginative policy solutions. The speakers discuss the role of social movements in shaping political vision, the impact of neoliberalism on public imagination, and the question of strategic voting in this federal election.The discussion also touches on the influence of conspiracy culture on climate action, the significance of Palestinian resistance and global solidarity, and the challenges of fostering internationalism in Canadian politics.This episode aired on April 4 2025.Credits:Produced by Doug Hamilton-Evans, Emiko Newman, Erin Blondeau and Anjali Appadurai. Hosted by Anjali Appadurai and Erin Blondeau. Featuring Naomi Klein and Seth Klein. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith.
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Dissecting the climate denial machine: culture wars and the climate countermovement (w/ Mary Stuart & Erin Blondeau)
Host Emiko Newman interviews Mary Stuart and Erin Blondeau about the rise of climate conspiracism. Mary is a masters student in political ecology at the University of Victoria studying right-wing climate denial. Erin Blondeau is the Director of Communications at the Climate Emergency Unit and an independent writer.Together, they discuss how climate disasters are being reframed as government plots and how carbon pollution is being spun as a benefit to society and to the environment. Emiko, Mary and Erin examine the role of social media in spreading misinformation, especially after Meta's news ban. Real-world community organizing offers our best chance to overcome both climate disasters and the divisive, polarizing conspiracy culture that undermine our fight for climate justice. A liberated world must be for everyone, not just for people on the left-side of the political spectrum. This episode aired on March 25 2025.Articles:I Believed Climate Change Was a Lie. Here’s What Changed My Mind, Erin BlondeauInfluential ‘Freedom Convoy’ group in Alberta is helping B.C.’s far right elect Conservatives ⋆ The Breach, Mary StuartOld News, New Reality: A Year of Meta's News Ban in CanadaCredits:Produced by Doug Hamilton-Evans, Emiko Newman, and Erin Blondeau. Hosted by Emiko Newman. Featuring Erin Blondeau and Mary Stuart. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith.
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It’s a f&%#ing climate emergency! Why aren’t we acting like it? (w/ Seth Klein)
This episode aired on March 15 2025.Seth Klein joins host Erin Blondeau to talk about the 6 Markers of Climate Emergency Framework. Marker 1: Spend what it takes to win.Marker 2: Create new institutions to get the job done.Marker 3: Shift from voluntary & incentive-based policies to mandatory measures.Marker 4: Tell the truth about the severity of the crisis & communicate urgency.Marker 5: Leave no one behind.Marker 6: Indigenous rights & leadership are essential.Learn more: https://www.climateemergencyunit.ca/emergencymarkersframeworkAbout the 6 Markers of Climate EmergencyWe believe that it’s not too late to change the course of the climate emergency and prevent more catastrophic suffering. But to do this, we need the kind of transformational change not seen since the Second World War.We got a glimpse into emergency mode during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the government failed to sufficiently hit Marker 5 (leave no one behind.)As explained in Seth’s book, the Canadian government took extraordinary measures during the Second World War to ensure that it successfully navigated and confronted the rise of fascism. During the war, the government hit Markers 1 through 4 big time, and partially hit Marker 5.These war-time measures worked once, and can be used again to fight the most dangerous threat we have ever faced: the climate crisis. But, it can’t be overstated how important it is to expand on the war-time measures of WWII to empower historically excluded populations of today and nurture a more just society for our future generations.When asking people to enlist in a grand societal undertaking, we have to make a commitment to them that the society that will emerge from the other end of that effort will be more just and fair than the one they are leaving behind.Credits:Written and produced by Erin Blondeau and Doug Hamilton-Evans. Hosted by Erin Blondeau with special guest Seth Klein. Music by Anjali Appadurai. Audio editing by Blue Light Studios. Artwork by Geoff Smith. Learn more at climateemergencyunit.ca/podcast
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