Eco Echoes

In this episode, Sheldon and Amer celebrate the one-year anniversary of hosting Eco Echoes. A huge thank you to our listeners, guests, and sponsors for your support throughout the past year! As per our podcast tradition, this bonus episode features climate trivia - so join us to test your knowledge on topics covered in Season 2. We wrap up the episode with a conversation about Sheldon’s recent tra...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the diverse Indigenous perspectives on climate change, energy, and sustainability in Canada. They are joined by Lydia Brant, Manager at Brightspot Climate and an Indigenous climate change engineer, to discuss the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into climate action. The group examines the unique perspectives and priorities th...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the alternative business model of a solar energy co-operative. They are joined by special guest Chris Caners, General Manager at SolarShare, one of Canada’s leading renewable energy co-ops. The group discusses how the co-op structure differs from traditional corporate models, its benefits for sustainability and community engagement, and the o...

Amer and Sheldon reflect on notable events in 2024, and look to 2025 with a few thoughts on how the year will pan out related to climate action - including political headwinds, technological changes, and anticipated policy developments in Canada and beyond. They delve into how recent political changes, such as the incoming Donald Trump administration in the USA and the outgoing Justin Trudeau admi...

As the Eras Tour wraps up in Vancouver, BC - home of Eco Echoes - we thought we’d have some fun with this episode. In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the environmental impact of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, delving into how the tour contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the efforts her team has made to mitigate its impact. They also examine the broader impli...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the complexities surrounding the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. They are joined by special guest Stewart Muir, founder and CEO of Resource Works. Stewart is an award-winning journalist with a passion for the natural legacies of British Columbia. His work focuses on promoting responsible resource development and fostering informed public di...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the world of carbon offsets. They break down the basics of what carbon offsets are and how they work, as well as the various types of offsets available, such as forestry projects and renewable energy credits. They also examine how carbon offsets are used in Canada by both businesses and government initiatives, and discuss the controversies an...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the historical approaches of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to climate and energy issues, analyzing how their past influences their current platforms.  They delve into the key policies Harris is advocating for, such as building on the Biden administration's climate agenda and clarifying her stance on fracking. On the flip side, they discuss T...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon Fernandes and Amer Abu-Khajil explore the climate and energy platforms of the major parties in the BC Provincial Election. They are joined by guests Megan Lohmann, CEO of the Community Energy Association, and George Benson, a strategist, writer, and researcher working at the intersection of economic development and climate action. As usual, the group starts w...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, Sheldon and Amer explore the complex world of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and its role in British Columbia’s energy landscape. We start by breaking down what LNG is, how it’s produced, and why it’s often considered a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. But, as we dig deeper, we uncover the environmental concerns associated with LNG—particularly the impact of methane...

Welcome back to Eco Echoes - we’re excited to kick off Season 2! In this episode, Sheldon and Amer dive into politics, specifically the impacts of 2024 elections on climate and energy issues. As we established in Season 1, elections - and the policies that follow - play a significant role in shaping the direction of a country or jurisdiction. This is particularly important for climate issues, whic...

In this bonus episode of Eco Echoes, we flip the script! Sheldon - our resident climate expert - asks Amer questions about climate that we’ve covered in the first 10 episodes of Eco Echoes. Join us for this climate trivia episode and see how many questions you would have gotten correctly! We’ve kept this episode even more light, conversational, and (dare I say) comical than usual episodes.  Follow...

In episode 10 of Eco Echoes, we delve into the critical intersection of climate education and workforce readiness with special guest Dean Darren Dahl, the Dean of the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. We explore the current state of climate and sustainability education, identify existing gaps, and highlight the opportunities for shaping future leaders in the field. J...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, we explore the global climate impact of international aviation and shipping. Discover how regulations like the aviation sector's CORSIA and the shipping industry's 2023 IMO Strategy are tackling emissions on a global scale. We discuss the roles of major international bodies, the effectiveness of current policies, and what future innovations might further redu...

In this episode of Eco Echoes, we dive into British Columbia's role as a leader in climate policy within Canada and beyond. Despite being a province rich in natural resources, BC has distinguished itself through pioneering environmental actions such as the early adoption of a carbon tax, the implementation of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and setting clean electricity goals. Join us as we explor...

What role do trade barriers play when it comes to clean technologies and climate solutions? In this episode, we delve into the recent surge in trade barriers that are reshaping the global market for electric vehicles and other clean technologies. From the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act to the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, we explore the origins of these policies, their impact on globa...

What does it really mean for a company to manage its greenhouse gas emissions, and how far does its responsibility extend? In episode 6 of Eco Echoes, we dive deep into the 'E' of ESG, focusing specifically on the various 'Scopes' of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We zero in on Scope 3 emissions, which encompass all the indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain....

How are companies around the world stepping up to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their business strategies? In episode 5 of Eco Echoes, we explore the evolving landscape of corporate responsibility through the lens of ESG frameworks. We delve into real-world case studies to see how different corporations such as Apple and Lululemon have adapted their operatio...

Canada plays a big role in influencing climate policy on the global stage. Or does it? In episode 4 of Eco Echoes, we look at comparisons between Canada and other countries around the world. We discuss how different countries, and Canada, walk the fine line between pursuing economic growth and advancing their climate policies - all while contributing to global emissions. And as usual, we talk abou...

Why is the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy so complicated? It's simply because we can't turn off our reliance on fossil fuels overnight. In episode 3 of Eco Echoes, we explore the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We cover both sides of the transition: the barrier to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and the technological advancements that are making it...

For episode 2 of Eco Echoes, we're breaking down Canada's federal climate tax. We explore what the carbon tax is, why it exists, and its impacts on individuals and businesses. And given the recent news headlines about the carbon tax, we'll discuss policy decisions that make it a hot debate topic in politics. Eco Echoes is presented in collaboration with the UBC Sauder Centre for Climat...

For our introductory episode of Eco Echoes, we're breaking down Canada's direction on climate policy. Join us for an engaging conversation where we'll unravel the intricacies of Canada's climate policy, discuss current challenges, and spotlight upcoming opportunities. We'll also explore the economic impact of Canada's climate policies as well as what businesses and individu...

Coming Soon - Eco Echoes: A Climate Dialogue , hosted by Sheldon Fernandes and Amer Abu-Khajil, invites you on a journey from mountains to the sea, diving deep into the heart of climate conversations. Join us, two friends united by our passion for the environment, as we demystify the complex world of climate and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) topics. Whether you're new to the clim...