This week:

• We feature a discussion comparing Canadian and American environmentalism. Environmental Justice Correspondent Joanna Dafoe recounts her experiences at the PowerShare event in Washington, D.C. – which drew 2,500 activists from across North America – and discusses lessons for the Canadian environmental movement.
• South African environmentalist Patrick Bond presents a critical look at cap and trade systems, and explains how his country is suffering from negative returns in the carbon trade (originally aired March 21, 2008).

The headlines in brief:

• The organization representing tar sands producers in Alberta has recommended that the province begin exporting energy to Asia to avoid coming tariffs from the United States;
• Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced that new environmental assessment rules would allow the government to skip assessments in nearly 80% of new building projects;
• Environment Canada is warning that early spring may lead to the devastation of insect, bird and small animal populations across the country;
• The government of Maldives set an ambitious target that will likely make it the first carbon neutral country in the world;
• Powerful incentives to support the production solar-energy were introduced this week by many major North American cities.

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- Photo credit: Capitol Climate Action -