Simon D. Donner | Lightnews

Simon Donner

@simondonner.bsky.social

15K followers 710 following 730 posts

Climate scientist, prof at UBC, writer, speaker, aquatic mammal, dragger of sand into the house.

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Environmental science 58%

Geography 17%

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Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Dec 16

If you're looking for some positivity... my TED talk was about the overcoming doubts and embracing solutions to climate change. The final piece of advice comes from a friend in Kiribati.
youtu.be/CZ_MPbjA78I?...

Why our imaginations are the key to solving climate change | Dr. Simon Donner | TEDxSurrey

YouTube video by TEDx Talks

youtu.be

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 21d

Seven whole minutes, who has the time

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 25d

Thanks Janet, I appreciate your comments.

Reposted by Simon D. Donner

CPAC TV @cpac.ca · 25d

"I couldn't look at myself in the mirror", says climate scientist @simondonner.bsky.social, who is one of the two climate advisors that quit the federal government's Net-Zero Advisory Body.

Full interview: youtu.be/x1JYcA9srH4?...

Reposted by Valerie M. Delmotte, Wolfgang Crämer

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 25d

I spoke about the decision to resign from chairing the Net-Zero Advisory Body with As it Happens (9:20 mark of the show). This is the best description of what transpired, including how the Alberta-Canada MOU was cynical, and why I felt I had no choice but to resign.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

As It Happens with Nil Köksal, Chris Howden | Live Radio | CBC Listen

News that’s not afraid of fun. Meet people at the centre of the day’s most hard-hitting, hilarious and heartbreaking stories — powerful leaders, proud eccentrics and ordinary people in extraordinary c...

www.cbc.ca

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 28d

Thanks Jackie. It was, at times, but the system was poorly designed and times have changed.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 28d

Thank Glen, nice of you to say.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 29d

Thanks Joe, that's very kind of you to say. It's been a hard process, and I hoped it wouldn't come to this. But I feel I was left with no other choice.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · 29d

Thanks Kathy, the respect means a lot coming from you.

Reposted by Peter Thorne, Hisham Zerriffi

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Dec 4

Personal update -- I resigned from my role at Co-Chair of Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body. The job had been a true honour and privilege, one of the highlights of my professional life. If you're interested in more of an explanation, see my Linked-In page.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 30

Yes, in that international emissions accounting is based on what is emitting within the borders. Oil and gas emissions = emissions from producing, refining, transporting, NOT the eventual combustion, unless that happens in the country (and then is reporting under transportation).

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 30

The Pathways carbon capture project can work. The issue is the numbers. Trading Pathways for the proposed new pipeline likely leads to a net INcrease in emissions, even when it is fully operational. More to come.

char0853.bsky.social @char0853.bsky.social · Nov 30

Thanks so much, Simon! Also, the carbon capture initiative seems like a complete waste of money. It’s a failed technology, right?

Reposted by Simon D. Donner

char0853.bsky.social @char0853.bsky.social · Nov 30

Thanks so much, Simon! Also, the carbon capture initiative seems like a complete waste of money. It’s a failed technology, right?

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 28

I started writing "The actual math doesn't work", stopped, shivered, and checked if I'd written that before...

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 28

It is also giving me deja vu. I'm working on a more detailed analysis of the MOU, and was reminded of writing this for a similar analysis nine years ago:

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 28

The MOU with Alberta is deeply disappointing. It sacrifices climate policies, places too many eggs in the industrial pricing basket, proposes a pipeline deal that would increase emissions, and would have Canada double-down on fossil fuels at a time the world is moving towards clean energy.

Reposted by Simon D. Donner

UBC Oceans @ubcoceans.bsky.social · Nov 28

Dr. @simondonner.bsky.social, chair of @NZAB_Canada said COP30 summit laid bare a rift between those participating in “clean energy revolution,” and “countries clinging to a fossil fuel past."
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/a...

The world is splitting between petro and electro states, and Canada risks being left in the dust

The most important takeaway from this year’s UN climate summit isn’t in the agreement — it’s that the world is splitting into fossil fuel and clean energy states, leaving Canada at a fork in the road ...

www.nationalobserver.com

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 27

Don't let perfect be the enemy of really good.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 27

Nice surprise to be quoted in the Clean BC review.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 27

Recommendations from a mandated review of British Columbia's energy and climate plan. engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/...

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 26

The name made me wonder if the folks involved were fans of the Wrath of Khan, with its "Project Genesis" plotline

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

Attending COP is like going on a cleanse... the venues are hot, you burn energy walking miles between events, it's hard to find food. So it's like you spend a week or two sweating out all the toxins, literally and figuratively.

Katie Matthews, PhD @katieocean.bsky.social · Nov 25

hot, crowded and underfed sounds like what our planet is facing if we don't get our shit together

Reposted by Simon D. Donner

Katie Matthews, PhD @katieocean.bsky.social · Nov 25

hot, crowded and underfed sounds like what our planet is facing if we don't get our shit together

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

Certainly, the news is not all good... my issue here is that much of what was on display at COP is not in the reporting.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

I know the CBC was live on the ground much of the time, and following all the proceedings. Can't speak for other organizations.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

Yes! It is a hot, crowded, underfed zoo! See my video...

My critique here is really that the coverage is obsessed with the letter of the agreements and the geopolitics of the negotiatons, and not paying nearly enough attention to the energy outside those rooms.
bsky.app/profile/simo...

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 17

What happens at a UN climate summit? Here's a quick tour of the #COP30 venue to give a sense of the various meetings and activities.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

A few, though I was focused on work related to international climate councils advice and not near the media areas much

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

Fair, though keep in mind the action of movers was on display at COP, it just isn't reflected on consensus based text that is driven by broader geopolitical issues. Focusing on the final cover text and missing the panels at the China, solar, etc. pavillions is missing much of the story.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

Bang on! Though it's been a problem with COP coverage for years now, it was more noticeable than ever this year. You've got dozens of pavilions talking about action on solar, batteries, adaptation, etc. and all the reporting is on telling but largely symbolic cover text weakened by a few parties.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

Media coverage of UN climate summits is stuck in the past. With Paris in effect, we need to drop the old "COP was a failure/success", and instead use COP, with all the panels, side events and hallway chatter, as way to gauge the state of global climate action. That leads to a very different story.

Simon Donner @simondonner.bsky.social · Nov 25

I agree, I think we're saying the same thing, perhaps I could have worded it better. Basically Paris and the UNFCCC process helped seed the clean energy revolution. Now that Paris is in effect, the focus is implementation, and that is what is on display outside of the negotiations.

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