Canadian Ecopolitics provides a comprehensive overview of the intersection between environmental issues and political processes in Canada. It explores key concepts, historical developments, and contemporary challenges in environmental governance, highlighting the diverse world views that shape ecopolitical discourse – from resource extractivism to deep ecology. Rosalind Warner, Peter Stoett, and Will Greaves analyse Canada’s role on the global stage as well as the challenges of multilevel governance of natural resources. The book traces the country’s ecopolitical history from pre-colonial times through confederation to modern environmental movements. The book emphasizes the critical relationship between environmental issues and political processes in governing vital resources such as energy, water, climate, oceans, and biodiversity, making this analysis both timely and essential. The authors explore the complex interactions among different levels of governance, Indigenous perspectives, and competing interests that influence Canadian environmental policy. With a critical focus on the challenges and opportunities within Canada’s environmental landscape, Canadian Ecopolitics offers valuable insights for students, policymakers, and engaged citizens aiming to understand and transform this crucial area of governance.

Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations List of Boxes and Case Studies Acknowledgments 1. The Canadian Ecopolitical Landscape L earning Objectives Introduction: What Is Canadian Ecopolitics? Canadian Political Basics Common Themes Structure of the Book Conclusion: Putting on the Ecopolitical Lenses 2. Ecopolitical World Views Learning Objectives Introduction: Ideas in Canadian Ecopolitics Ecopolitical Worldviews From a National to a Planetary Imaginary Comparing World Views Four Key Debates within Ecopolitical Thought Conclusion: Inescapable Complexities 3. The Global Commons and Global Issues Learning Objectives Introduction: Canada in the World The Commons and Global Issues Ozone Depletion Biodiversity Conclusion: From a Commons to a Community 4. Canadian Ecopolitical History Learning Objectives Introduction: The Story of Ecopolitical History Pre-Confederation History: Early Ecopolitical Structures Post-Confederation Period and Staples New National Parks and Protected Areas The Westward Expansion The Effects of Globalization in Canada The Road to Indigenous Self-Governance Conclusion: A Mixed History 5. People, Products, and Planning Learning Objectives Introduction People Products Dealing with Pollutants Food and Agricultural Production The Forest Industry International Trade Planning Conclusion: Connecting Ecopolitics with Everyday Life 6. Energy Learning Objectives Introduction: The Vital Need for Energy Early Energy Oil and Gas Alberta’s Bitumen Sands Liquified Natural Gas Electricity Hydro-Electricity Nuclear Power Renewables Electric Vehicles: The Future of Transportation Conclusion: Finding the Right Energy Mix 7. Freshwater and Canadian Ecopolitics Learning Objectives Introduction: Water and Life The Water Cycle and Human Control Water Users and Rights Water Quality and Pollution Multi-Level Governance of Water Crossing The Border Inherent Rights for Water? Conclusion: Future Flows 8. Oceans Learning Objectives Introduction: The Changing Oceans Climate Change and the Oceans The Fishing Nations Aquaculture Pollution Marine Noise Pollution Deep Seabed Mining Conclusion: The Oceanic Imperative 9. Climate Ecopolitics Learning Objectives Introduction: The Climate Crisis Early Canadian Activism The Kyoto Roller Coaster After Kyoto The Paris Agreement Conclusion: Future Prospects for Progress 10. Biosecurity and Health Learning Objectives Introduction: Health Is Ecopolitical? Disease Biodiversity Loss as a Threat to Biosecurity and Health Biological Invasion The Illegal Wildlife Trade Climate Change: The Ultimate Biosecurity and Health Threat Conclusion: An Overlooked Agenda 11. The Arctic Learning Objectives Introduction: The View from the North Climate Change Impacts in the Arctic Arctic Natural Resources Governing the Arctic Environment International Law and Institutions The Urban Arctic Indigenous Governance Conclusion: The Arctic as An Ecopolitical Fulcrum 12. Assessing Canadian Ecopolitics Learning Objectives Introduction: The Panorama of Canadian Ecopolitics Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Biodiversity Loss Pollution and Product Life Cycles Security Environmental Ethics Multi-Level Adaptive Governance Gaps Indigenous Sovereignty and Ways of Being Accountability and Good Ecopolitical Citizenship Environmental and Non-Human Legal Rights and Representation Canada as a Global Citizen What Can You Do? Notes References Index