policy: unexpected climate connections

leaders in agriculture, housing, economics, and policy convened in toronto this spring to discuss advancing policies that benefit the environment and economy.

following are panel highlights.

farming connectivity as climate policy
as significant weather events test the resilience of food systems and farming infrastructure, the agriculture sector is growing its appreciation for cybersecurity.

the challenge is, a knowledge gap in ag-iot (using technology in farming to monitor and manage crops and livestock) and a reluctance to trust farm-level data with the government, make the path to digital connectivity complicated.

still, the technology exists and canadian farmers remain in competition with global peers who are often held to lower standards in supply and distribution.

key to digital connectivity, say the speakers, includes: the agri-food sector aligning on principles for sharing data to accurately and publicly disclose quality standards, telcos expanding satellite reach to provide competitive connectivity options, technologists engaging farmers before building products to improve usability; and governments ensuring licensing criteria target last-mile connectivity, ag-iot investment incentives are strong, and climate impact assessments are conducted to support longevity.

speakers:
- anna kanduth, canadian climate institute
- sangeeta lalli, telus agriculture and consumer goods
- matthew mendelsohn, social capital partners
- scott ross, canadian federation of agriculture

indigenous economics as climate policy
as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy, the materials needed to build renewable energy systems, like copper and lithium, will come from indigenous land.

​the challenge is, a duty to consult viewed as a “check the box” problem, combined with few equipped to navigate regional sensitivities with knowledge and clarity, slows down the ability to work together.

still, a profound intergenerational call to care for their members and protect the environment means there is great wisdom in understanding the distinctions within first nations, métis, inuit communities.

key to indigenous economic development, say the speakers, includes: bringing diverse community views into broader societal debates; boosting community investing with loan guarantees and other capacity building supports; fostering support through distinctions-based dialogue; and providing equitable ownership, control, and participation in supply chain and project development processes.

speakers:
- kayli avveduti, confederacy of treaty six
- marissa nobauer, telus reconciliation and community relations
- jesse mccormick, first nations major projects coalition
- matthew foss, canadian council for aboriginal business

housing affordability as climate policy
as the government sets a target of 3.5 million housing units by 2030, solving the housing puzzle calls for an “all-sectors-on-deck” approach.

the challenge is, builders are struggling to meet the demand for affordable, sustainable, and climate-resilient homes. at the same time, rising energy prices and unpredictable weather continue to transform what our future housing needs to be.

still, the tools and ideas to build and update our homes and neighbourhoods, resourcefully and at scale, exist. 

​key to sustainable housing, say the speakers, includes building and updating homes for ‘lasting affordability.’ this means helping builders facilitate mutually-beneficial contracts with utility and mortgage providers, making flood maps publicly available to identify where to build, and including transportation, infrastructure, and energy costs in the calculations of a home’s value.

speakers:
- mike moffatt, place centre
- steve mennill, independent consultant
- phillip santana, mattamy homes
- rachel samson, institute for research on public policy

reference: 
thewalrus.ca/unexpected-climate-connections

youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbi4iNa8MkNICsRqg22IqTnN2LU3vhsQP