Zoë Yunker
@zoeyunker.bsky.social
Environmental journalist covering forests, climate and the energy transition.
A staggering report from @amandafollett.bsky.social on Rustad's town hall on Indigenous rights and DRIPA in Smithers (Wet’suwet’en territory) last weekend:
‘First Nations Would Not Exist Without Canada,’ Rustad Tells Crowd | The Tyee
Conservative MLAs held a town hall to criticize DRIPA. Community members and Indigenous leaders pushed back.
thetyee.ca
February 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
A staggering report from @amandafollett.bsky.social on Rustad's town hall on Indigenous rights and DRIPA in Smithers (Wet’suwet’en territory) last weekend:
BC's forest advisory council released its long-awaited report this week.
It says BC should scrap timber supply reviews and replace them with locally shaped plans.
Will the plan turn the corner before it's too late?
My story for @thetyee.ca 🌲
#bcpoli
It says BC should scrap timber supply reviews and replace them with locally shaped plans.
Will the plan turn the corner before it's too late?
My story for @thetyee.ca 🌲
#bcpoli
BC Must Overhaul the Province’s Forestry Industry, Report Says | The Tyee
A council created as part of the Greens’ decision to back the NDP says the government can’t ‘keep kicking this can down the road.’
thetyee.ca
February 4, 2026 at 4:43 PM
BC's forest advisory council released its long-awaited report this week.
It says BC should scrap timber supply reviews and replace them with locally shaped plans.
Will the plan turn the corner before it's too late?
My story for @thetyee.ca 🌲
#bcpoli
It says BC should scrap timber supply reviews and replace them with locally shaped plans.
Will the plan turn the corner before it's too late?
My story for @thetyee.ca 🌲
#bcpoli
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
A forest advisory council has recommended shifting B.C.’s forest regime towards more local decision-making.
The plan has received applause, but some experts warn the plan lacks teeth and risks putting fragile forest ecosystems at risk. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli #OldGrowth
The plan has received applause, but some experts warn the plan lacks teeth and risks putting fragile forest ecosystems at risk. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli #OldGrowth
BC Must Overhaul the Province’s Forestry Industry, Report Says | The Tyee
A council created as part of the Greens’ decision to back the NDP says the government can’t ‘keep kicking this can down the road.’
thetyee.ca
February 4, 2026 at 4:19 PM
A forest advisory council has recommended shifting B.C.’s forest regime towards more local decision-making.
The plan has received applause, but some experts warn the plan lacks teeth and risks putting fragile forest ecosystems at risk. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli #OldGrowth
The plan has received applause, but some experts warn the plan lacks teeth and risks putting fragile forest ecosystems at risk. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli #OldGrowth
Cleanup at Port Alice's bankrupt pulp mill has cost the public $170 million and counting.
BC said this was a "symptom of a wider problem" facing taxpayers, and vowed to close the legal loopholes that allowed it to happen.
Now it's quietly halted that process.
My story for @thetyee.ca
#bcpoli
BC said this was a "symptom of a wider problem" facing taxpayers, and vowed to close the legal loopholes that allowed it to happen.
Now it's quietly halted that process.
My story for @thetyee.ca
#bcpoli
BC Halts Plans to Make Polluters Pay for Cleanup Costs | The Tyee
The province billed its Public Interest Bonding Strategy as a key step to protect the public from massive cleanup bills. Now it’s on hold.
thetyee.ca
February 3, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Cleanup at Port Alice's bankrupt pulp mill has cost the public $170 million and counting.
BC said this was a "symptom of a wider problem" facing taxpayers, and vowed to close the legal loopholes that allowed it to happen.
Now it's quietly halted that process.
My story for @thetyee.ca
#bcpoli
BC said this was a "symptom of a wider problem" facing taxpayers, and vowed to close the legal loopholes that allowed it to happen.
Now it's quietly halted that process.
My story for @thetyee.ca
#bcpoli
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
B.C. has halted work on a strategy aimed at ensuring taxpayers don’t bear the massive cleanup costs arising from abandoned industrial sites and disasters like the Mount Polley mine breach.
@zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
@zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
BC Halts Plans to Make Polluters Pay for Cleanup Costs | The Tyee
The province billed its Public Interest Bonding Strategy as a key step to protect the public from massive cleanup bills. Now it’s on hold.
thetyee.ca
February 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
B.C. has halted work on a strategy aimed at ensuring taxpayers don’t bear the massive cleanup costs arising from abandoned industrial sites and disasters like the Mount Polley mine breach.
@zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
@zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. #bcpoli
Illuminating comments from a senior policy specialist at Drax during a 2023 internal probe:
“I don’t think we should take from Primary Forests, even if they’re [the trees] dead, we’ve been saying we don’t source from these forests when it appears we might be."
#bcpoli
“I don’t think we should take from Primary Forests, even if they’re [the trees] dead, we’ve been saying we don’t source from these forests when it appears we might be."
#bcpoli
Drax manager questioned public statements on wood sourcing, tribunal documents show
Power station owner has received billions of pounds in subsidies to convert former coal-fired station to burn biomass
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Illuminating comments from a senior policy specialist at Drax during a 2023 internal probe:
“I don’t think we should take from Primary Forests, even if they’re [the trees] dead, we’ve been saying we don’t source from these forests when it appears we might be."
#bcpoli
“I don’t think we should take from Primary Forests, even if they’re [the trees] dead, we’ve been saying we don’t source from these forests when it appears we might be."
#bcpoli
As pipeline talk swirls, below are some thoughts and a reshare of my December article for @thetyee.ca on Trans Mountain’s apparent financial boom.
(Basically, don’t believe it — it’s an accounting illusion. Canadians lost many millions last year.)
🧵
(Basically, don’t believe it — it’s an accounting illusion. Canadians lost many millions last year.)
🧵
Is Trans Mountain’s Profitability an Accounting Illusion? | The Tyee
How the finances of Canada’s government-owned pipeline may look better than they are.
thetyee.ca
January 30, 2026 at 1:16 AM
As pipeline talk swirls, below are some thoughts and a reshare of my December article for @thetyee.ca on Trans Mountain’s apparent financial boom.
(Basically, don’t believe it — it’s an accounting illusion. Canadians lost many millions last year.)
🧵
(Basically, don’t believe it — it’s an accounting illusion. Canadians lost many millions last year.)
🧵
Must-read from @amandafollett.bsky.social on the ongoing struggle of those impacted by Cassiar's asbestos mine, which covered the town in "green dust."
"Children playing in the snow cautioned each other to “eat between the green” to avoid ingesting it, Joseph remembers."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
"Children playing in the snow cautioned each other to “eat between the green” to avoid ingesting it, Joseph remembers."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
The Town That Asbestos Built. The Cancer It Left Behind | The Tyee
Former residents of Cassiar say they weren’t warned about the risks. Now, they struggle to find support.
thetyee.ca
January 13, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Must-read from @amandafollett.bsky.social on the ongoing struggle of those impacted by Cassiar's asbestos mine, which covered the town in "green dust."
"Children playing in the snow cautioned each other to “eat between the green” to avoid ingesting it, Joseph remembers."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
"Children playing in the snow cautioned each other to “eat between the green” to avoid ingesting it, Joseph remembers."
thetyee.ca/News/2026/01...
Trans Mountain is making big profits now, right?
Actually, no.
Thanks to accounting wizardry and a shell company, the pipeline has transformed Canadians' losses into gains on its balance sheets.
My deep dive on this for @thetyee.ca:
thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
Actually, no.
Thanks to accounting wizardry and a shell company, the pipeline has transformed Canadians' losses into gains on its balance sheets.
My deep dive on this for @thetyee.ca:
thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
Is Trans Mountain’s Profitability an Accounting Illusion? | The Tyee
How the finances of Canada’s government-owned pipeline may look better than they are.
thetyee.ca
December 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Trans Mountain is making big profits now, right?
Actually, no.
Thanks to accounting wizardry and a shell company, the pipeline has transformed Canadians' losses into gains on its balance sheets.
My deep dive on this for @thetyee.ca:
thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
Actually, no.
Thanks to accounting wizardry and a shell company, the pipeline has transformed Canadians' losses into gains on its balance sheets.
My deep dive on this for @thetyee.ca:
thetyee.ca/Analysis/202...
Industrial carbon price needs to jump to $400 to make up for lost clean electricity regs, according to Guilbeault in this critical interview by @woodsideful.bsky.social 👏
'Sorry prime minister, I'm no longer your man': Steven Guilbeault on leaving cabinet
In Steven Guilbeault’s first English-media interview since resigning over Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to pursue a pipeline agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, the former cabinet m...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Industrial carbon price needs to jump to $400 to make up for lost clean electricity regs, according to Guilbeault in this critical interview by @woodsideful.bsky.social 👏
BC's climate plan reviewers issued their report card yesterday.
Their verdict: Focus less on targets and more on getting stuff done.
Also, LNG could blow everything out of the water.
My collab with @amandafollett.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Their verdict: Focus less on targets and more on getting stuff done.
Also, LNG could blow everything out of the water.
My collab with @amandafollett.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
LNG Is the ‘Elephant in the Room’ at BC Climate Plan Update | The Tyee
The province’s plan to reduce emissions can be salvaged. But expansion of gas exports needs scrutiny, reviewers say.
thetyee.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:39 PM
BC's climate plan reviewers issued their report card yesterday.
Their verdict: Focus less on targets and more on getting stuff done.
Also, LNG could blow everything out of the water.
My collab with @amandafollett.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Their verdict: Focus less on targets and more on getting stuff done.
Also, LNG could blow everything out of the water.
My collab with @amandafollett.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
Experts reviewing CleanBC say the plan to reduce carbon emissions is working — but the province needs to take a closer look at LNG.
My story with @zoeyunker.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My story with @zoeyunker.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
LNG Is the ‘Elephant in the Room’ at BC Climate Plan Update | The Tyee
The province’s plan to reduce emissions can be salvaged. But expansion of gas exports needs scrutiny, reviewers say.
thetyee.ca
November 27, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Experts reviewing CleanBC say the plan to reduce carbon emissions is working — but the province needs to take a closer look at LNG.
My story with @zoeyunker.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
My story with @zoeyunker.bsky.social for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
ICYMI: critical background on the history of Canada's tanker ban from @amandafollett.bsky.social
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The Oil Tanker Ban That Dims Alberta’s Pipeline Hopes | The Tyee
The law is six years old. But federal promises to protect BC’s north coast from spills date back decades.
thetyee.ca
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
ICYMI: critical background on the history of Canada's tanker ban from @amandafollett.bsky.social
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
David Eby says BC will be Canada's "economic engine," powered by clean electricity.
BC Hydro has other, less flashy plans.
Among them: a major shortfall in the energy BC would need to meet its climate targets.
My latest via @thetyee.ca
BC Hydro has other, less flashy plans.
Among them: a major shortfall in the energy BC would need to meet its climate targets.
My latest via @thetyee.ca
Will BC Electrify Its Economy? BC Hydro Doubts It | The Tyee
The Crown corporation’s new long-term plan for BC’s energy future is a missed opportunity to commit to electrification, experts say.
thetyee.ca
November 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
David Eby says BC will be Canada's "economic engine," powered by clean electricity.
BC Hydro has other, less flashy plans.
Among them: a major shortfall in the energy BC would need to meet its climate targets.
My latest via @thetyee.ca
BC Hydro has other, less flashy plans.
Among them: a major shortfall in the energy BC would need to meet its climate targets.
My latest via @thetyee.ca
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
Premier Eby recently described B.C. as Canada’s future “economic engine,” one that would be powered “by clean, reliable, affordable power.”
Ten days later, BC Hydro quietly released a more muted vision of the path ahead. @zoeyunker.bsky.social explains. ⚡️ #bcpoli
Ten days later, BC Hydro quietly released a more muted vision of the path ahead. @zoeyunker.bsky.social explains. ⚡️ #bcpoli
Will BC Electrify Its Economy? BC Hydro Doubts It | The Tyee
The Crown corporation’s new long-term plan for BC’s energy future is a missed opportunity to commit to electrification, experts say.
thetyee.ca
November 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Premier Eby recently described B.C. as Canada’s future “economic engine,” one that would be powered “by clean, reliable, affordable power.”
Ten days later, BC Hydro quietly released a more muted vision of the path ahead. @zoeyunker.bsky.social explains. ⚡️ #bcpoli
Ten days later, BC Hydro quietly released a more muted vision of the path ahead. @zoeyunker.bsky.social explains. ⚡️ #bcpoli
82 countries are calling for a "roadmap" to phase out coal, oil and natural gas at #COP30, making it "one of the most substantial and likely divisive topics of the two-week negotiations"
Double down on push to abandon fossil fuels, 82 countries urge at climate summit
Governments across Europe, the Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa embraced the call. The United States did not.
www.politico.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
82 countries are calling for a "roadmap" to phase out coal, oil and natural gas at #COP30, making it "one of the most substantial and likely divisive topics of the two-week negotiations"
Who owns Ksi Lisims? Helpful context on the project from @amandafollett.bsky.social
Ksi Lisims LNG Makes Federal List of ‘Nation-Building’ Projects | The Tyee
The prime minister sidestepped questions about US ownership and First Nations opposition at a northern BC presser.
thetyee.ca
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Who owns Ksi Lisims? Helpful context on the project from @amandafollett.bsky.social
Seriously appreciating this close-up translation of Carney's energy plans from @arnokopecky.bsky.social 👏
In four minutes, Carney revealed his energy policy
In four minutes at the Canadian Club Toronto, Carney gave away more than he has all year.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Seriously appreciating this close-up translation of Carney's energy plans from @arnokopecky.bsky.social 👏
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
quickest way to get an ancient tree cut down in B.C. is to put it in a recommended deferral zone, apparently! important story from @zoeyunker.bsky.social
A new Sierra Club BC report reveals gaps between B.C.’s forestry promises, including old-growth deferrals, and reality. thenarwhal.ca/bc-forests-l... #bcpoli
How logging has sent B.C. forests into freefall | The Narwhal
A Sierra Club BC report reveals a gap between B.C.’s forestry promises, including old-growth deferrals, and reality
thenarwhal.ca
November 12, 2025 at 5:58 PM
quickest way to get an ancient tree cut down in B.C. is to put it in a recommended deferral zone, apparently! important story from @zoeyunker.bsky.social
Old growth in recommended deferral zones was four times more likely to be logged than forests outside, according to a new report out today from Sierra Club BC.
My latest for @thenarwhal.ca
🧵
My latest for @thenarwhal.ca
🧵
How logging has sent B.C. forests into freefall | The Narwhal
A Sierra Club BC report reveals a gap between B.C.’s forestry promises, including old-growth deferrals, and reality
thenarwhal.ca
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Old growth in recommended deferral zones was four times more likely to be logged than forests outside, according to a new report out today from Sierra Club BC.
My latest for @thenarwhal.ca
🧵
My latest for @thenarwhal.ca
🧵
Infuriating and important reporting from @amandafollett.bsky.social 🔥
BC's FOI system is getting slower, more expensive and less transparent following the NDP gov's decision to charge a $10 fee.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
BC's FOI system is getting slower, more expensive and less transparent following the NDP gov's decision to charge a $10 fee.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
November 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Infuriating and important reporting from @amandafollett.bsky.social 🔥
BC's FOI system is getting slower, more expensive and less transparent following the NDP gov's decision to charge a $10 fee.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
BC's FOI system is getting slower, more expensive and less transparent following the NDP gov's decision to charge a $10 fee.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
US podcaster Ezra Klein is the rising star of the tech-funded "Abundance" movement, which calls for fast-tracking major projects.
Seemingly wooed, BC's NDP invited Klein to present to caucus, just months after their own deregulatory spree.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
🧵
Seemingly wooed, BC's NDP invited Klein to present to caucus, just months after their own deregulatory spree.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
🧵
How the Abundance Movement Is Dividing the Left | The Tyee
Calls for fewer rules and faster building have found a progressive audience, including in the BC government.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:55 PM
US podcaster Ezra Klein is the rising star of the tech-funded "Abundance" movement, which calls for fast-tracking major projects.
Seemingly wooed, BC's NDP invited Klein to present to caucus, just months after their own deregulatory spree.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
🧵
Seemingly wooed, BC's NDP invited Klein to present to caucus, just months after their own deregulatory spree.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
🧵
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
Today in @thetyee.ca, a look at how the book Abundance is influencing Canadian politics and “helping shape Canada’s fast-track agenda with its rallying cry for scrapping regulations in the pursuit of economic growth,” by @zoeyunker.bsky.social.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
How the Abundance Movement Is Dividing the Left | The Tyee
Calls for fewer rules and faster building have found a progressive audience, including in the BC government.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Today in @thetyee.ca, a look at how the book Abundance is influencing Canadian politics and “helping shape Canada’s fast-track agenda with its rallying cry for scrapping regulations in the pursuit of economic growth,” by @zoeyunker.bsky.social.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Zoë Yunker
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s “Abundance” is a pitch to disoriented liberals for a new order.
After it was published in March, Canadian governments released laws aimed at cutting regulations.
That's not a coincidence, said BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. 🇺🇸📖🇨🇦
After it was published in March, Canadian governments released laws aimed at cutting regulations.
That's not a coincidence, said BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. 🇺🇸📖🇨🇦
How the Abundance Movement Is Dividing the Left | The Tyee
Calls for fewer rules and faster building have found a progressive audience, including in the BC government.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s “Abundance” is a pitch to disoriented liberals for a new order.
After it was published in March, Canadian governments released laws aimed at cutting regulations.
That's not a coincidence, said BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. 🇺🇸📖🇨🇦
After it was published in March, Canadian governments released laws aimed at cutting regulations.
That's not a coincidence, said BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports. 🇺🇸📖🇨🇦
"“The approach has been behind-the-scenes, intentionally not seeking public kudos for its efforts,” Atlas wrote in notes summarising a meeting with Exxon executives in 2000. “The objective is to help, but not be known for its help.”"
Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal
Texas-based fossil fuel company financed Atlas Network in attempt to derail UN-led climate treaty process
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
"“The approach has been behind-the-scenes, intentionally not seeking public kudos for its efforts,” Atlas wrote in notes summarising a meeting with Exxon executives in 2000. “The objective is to help, but not be known for its help.”"