With wildfire season underway, perennial concerns about forest fires have returned. And as the effects of climate change worsen, research is underway to understand the relationship between forests, forest fires and carbon in the atmosphere.

On this episode of This Is Why, we dig into how a century of forest practices has made the problem worse, and a possible way forward for forests, the atmosphere and humanity.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @d_mac1519 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

Guests:

Dr Carly Phillips, researcher in residence at the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions at University of Victoria

Episode Resources:


"How wildfires affect climate change — and vice versa" on The Conversation

"The Language of Climate Change" from TEDxBearCreekPark

Forests, Fire and Carbon

We live in a confusing world… so if you’ve ever stopped and asked yourself WHY something matters, we’re here to help. Every week Adam Toy and Dave McIvor will ask one big question and uncover the answer to help you truly understand what’s going on around you.

They'll try to get to the bottom of the issue by chatting with experts, journalists and even folks directly involved.

They may not have all the answers to climate change, world politics or the economy BUT you can join them on this weekly expedition as we get you some straight answers.

This Is Why airs on Corus Radio stations across Canada:
980 CKNW | Sunday | 7 – 7:30pm PT
770 CHQR | Sunday | 5 – 5:30am MT, 5 – 5:30pm MT
630 CHED | Sunday | 4 – 4:30pm MT
680 CJOB | Saturday | 9 – 9:30pm CT
900 CHML | Sunday | 5:30 -6:00pm ET

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Politics

News Commentary

Just about anyone in Canada who is older than 11 years old who wanted to get vaccinated for COVID-19 has been able to. And that leaves children unvaccinated and unprotected.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at the process the vaccines are going through to be approved for children.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @dmcivor770 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

Guests:



Dr. Karina Top, pediatric infectious disease physician and a vaccine researcher at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology in Halifax

Waiting for Kid's Shots

Governments have tried a variety of incentives to entice people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. But the more effective approach has been to add sticks to carrots.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at what approaches worked better to get a population vaccinated against COVID-19.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @dmcivor770 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

Guests:



Amy Kaler, professor of sociology, University of Alberta




Episode Resources:


"Nobody wins when Alberta plays games with COVID vaccines" column

Vaccine Benefits

If Canada is to achieve its Paris climate goals, the country has to address what's driving growth in emissions. And driving is one of the problems.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at the unique challenges transportation in a spread out country like Canada presents to decarbonization.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @dmcivor770 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

Guests:



Josipa Petrunic, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium.

What's driving emissions?

Oil and gas is the largest greenhouse emitter of Canadian industry. But given its place in the economy, politicians and policy makers are weighing how it fits in with the country's emission goals.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at what provincial and federal governments could and have done to address Canada's biggest emitter.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @dmcivor770 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

Guests:



Chris Severson-Baker, Alberta director of the Pembina Institute

Canada's biggest emitter

Electricity generation is one of the largest contributor to worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. And while Canada is among the leaders in renewable electricity, there's still room for improvement.

On this episode of This Is Why, we look at what steps are left for decarbonization of the electricity grid in the country.

Contact:

Adam Toy - @Adam_Toy on Twitter

Dave McIvor - @dmcivor770 on Twitter

This is Why - @ThisIsWhy on Twitter

Email us - thisiswhy@globalnews.ca

Guests:



Blake Shaffer, assistant professor of economics at the University of Calgary

Forests, Fire and Carbon

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