Canada and Australia aren’t meeting the moment
Tue 6 Oct 2026 05.10 AEDT
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
Climate integrity is a topic that seems to have been buried by other inhumane priorities, yet is so fundamental to our human existence. Indeed, climate integrity seems to be in very short supply. It is our moral and humane duty to save the islands and the world against climate change, as a matter of urgency.
The NSW Government has just approved production from a huge new coal project out to 2045. The conditions placed on the approval would be funny if catastrophic climate change wasn’t so alarming.
The botched execution of a Death Row inmate in Tennessee and her emergency transfer to hospital is a reminder — if we need one — of the brutality and callousness of much of America's approach to law and justice. For all the institutional and structural resonances between America and Australia, the differences between our civic values are as stark as ever.
While miles apart in their responses to the Trump administration, Canada and Australia are in lock-step on expanding fossil fuel production.
On this episode of After America, Québécoise senator and pollution control expert Dr Rosa Galvez joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Carney government’s response to the Trump administration, climate policy failures in Australia and Canada, and the opportunities for a better future for both countries.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 17 September.
Guest: The Hon Senator Dr Rosa Galvez, Independent Senator for Québec (Bedford), Canada // @senrosagalvez
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Australia and Canada can learn from each other on climate if we separate action from declaration by Rosa Galvez, Guardian Australia (September 2026)
Quality research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts you can trust.
Climate Integrity Summit 2026, the Australia Institute on YouTube
Davos 2026: Special address by Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, World Economic Forum (January 2026)
Mark Carney is saving Canada… but for whom? by Jim Stanford, The Point (September 2026)
Shorter America: Oh my god these men (cont.); Rethinking national security; Speaking truth to pain by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)
American exceptionalism: the poison that cannot protect its children from violent death by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (May 2022)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
