Imagine a truck barreling towards your children. What would you do? You’d probably jump in its path to save them, right? Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, uses this metaphor for the climate crisis. She believes we need to utilize all possible tools to face this real danger.
In her book, Run Like a Girl, McKenna opens up about her journey in politics. It’s not just a memoir; it’s a call to action for women and young people eager to create change. The book includes personal stories, quotes, and even campaign memorabilia.
McKenna addresses tough issues, like the sexism she endured in office. She recalls being mocked as “climate Barbie” and receiving a flood of online abuse, including death threats. One scary incident had her being verbally assaulted while out with her children.
Despite these challenges, she sees hope. “There are many young people doing incredible things,” she says. “It can be tough, but don’t give up. Keep pushing forward.”
Interestingly, McKenna didn’t always envision a career in politics. Originally, she aimed to be an Olympic swimmer. When that dream faded, she harnessed her discipline into her political work.
She speaks candidly about the ups and downs of her political career. For instance, while she worked under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she felt he often seemed aloof, more focused on his friends than his team. Though he promoted a gender-balanced cabinet, she suggests it often felt more like a gimmick than sincere progress.
On climate action, Trudeau supported her pivotal initiatives, including a carbon tax targeted at large polluters and everyday fossil fuel use. McKenna framed it as a “price on pollution,” with rebates benefiting low and middle-income Canadians. A study indicated that many households would, in fact, gain financially from the tax.
When McKenna took office in 2015, she wasn’t an expert. Yet, she attended COP21 just a week into her role, where the historic Paris Agreement was signed, aiming for global temperature control. Despite criticism about the agreement’s effectiveness, McKenna argues it was groundbreaking. It set a clear temperature goal for the first time, even though the concept of net-zero emissions was still new.
However, contradictions shadowed Trudeau’s climate journey. Just a day after the House declared a climate emergency in 2019, his government approved plans to triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, a move seen by many as contrary to environmental goals. The timing surprised McKenna; despite her misgivings, she pushed for consensus, believing it would unify provinces. Reflecting on this, she admits, “We thought we could bring everyone together. I regret thinking we weren’t being misled.”
When she left office in 2021, the carbon tax faced a pause, and new leadership under Mark Carney scrapped it. Despite these setbacks, McKenna remains optimistic. “I’m a realistic optimist,” she says. Engaging with corporate and financial leaders is key, she believes. Instead of focusing solely on individual responsibility, we should engage with heavy emitters.
Renewable energy offers a sustainable path, she argues; it’s cheaper and accessible to everyone. Yet, industry expert Brett Christophers highlights that the profit margins for renewable projects often hinder their development. McKenna acknowledges that businesses may not always prioritize climate over profit, posing a significant challenge.
Finally, she urges the public to hold politicians accountable. McKenna recalls a protest march that rallied for action on climate. While her colleagues avoided it, she marched alongside protesters. “I needed them to push us to do more,” she says, emphasizing that movements like these truly matter.
Her insights resonate now, as researchers warn that global emissions are still on the rise. A recent report by the Global Carbon Project shows that emissions increased by 6% in 2021 compared to the previous year. As we grapple with the climate crisis, McKenna’s call to action feels more urgent than ever.
By sharing her journey, McKenna inspires a new generation to confront climate challenges head-on. The truck is coming. We must act.
For more details on climate action and recent strategies, visit the Global Carbon Project.
