As politicians and negotiators head home, COP26 has come to a close — but concerns over climate change continue.

Some experts say it's the responsibility of consumers to change their shopping habits and reduce their&nbsp;carbon footprints. Buying green, they argue, will encourage the market to shift how products are made

Others, however, say the burden is on government to implement policies and legislation that mitigate&nbsp;the effects of what we buy on the planet.&nbsp;

Our question this week: Can we shop&nbsp;our way out of the climate crisis? How important is consumer choice?

Why advocates say Canada needs to rev up its electric car adoption

High gas prices seem to have more Canadians thinking about going electric. But issues like low supply and uneven incentives are big roadblocks. To meet climate goals of selling only zero emission vehicles by 2035, advocates say Canada needs to rev up electric car adoption.

Electric vehicle sales in Ontario lag behind other provinces that offer incentives.

Covid Ontario 20200415

To help fight climate change, give your shopping habits a makeover, advocates say

Though the buzz of economic recovery and loosened public health restrictions is drawing people back to shops, malls and even car dealerships, it’s hard to ignore the climate costs of returning to our pre-pandemic consumption habits.

Members of a Facebook Buy Nothing group in Vancouver throw a bunny-themed birthday party with donated decorations and services, including balloon animals and a professional photographer. Corrie, left, has been sourcing and reusing things people usually discard, like veggie trimmings or carrot greens, to feed her bunny.

Buy Nothing Mount Pleasant West

Corrie Chow, left, and Kyra Tapp, members of a Facebook Buy Nothing group in Vancouver, throw a bunny-themed birthday party with donated decorations and services, including balloon animals and a professional photographer.

Bikes took a back seat at COP26. Advocates urge Canada to make them a priority in its climate plan

The COP26 summit has ignored bicycles as one of the cheapest and most efficient tools to fight climate change by focusing almost entirely on promoting a global shift to electric cars, cycling advocates say. 

Cyclists commute through downtown Toronto on Nov. 8, 2021.

Cyclist in downtown Toronto

A cyclist rides on one of Toronto's permanent bike lanes on Monday. Cycling and climate advocates are decrying the lack of discussion at the COP26 summit about bicycles as a cheap and effective tool for reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. 

Alberta isn't alone in facing climate challenge, says province's COP26 representative

Alberta's top representative to the global climate conference taking place in Scotland has a message to those in the province who feel singled out by the pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

People gather in the Action Zone inside the venue for the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. The U.N. climate summit in Glasgow is entering it's second week as leaders from around the world, are gathering in Scotland's biggest city, to lay out their vision for addressing the common challenge of global warming. 

Climate COP26 Summit

People gather in the Action Zone inside the venue for the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. Leaders from around the world, are gathering in Scotland's biggest city, to lay out their vision for addressing the common challenge of global warming. 

How climate change is causing grief, anxiety and depression

Many people across Canada are feeling a sense of loss, grief and frustration due to climate change — a phenomenon that's been dubbed ecological grief.

Diana Violet Bird is passing on her knowledge about foraging to her nine-year-old daughter.

Diana Violet Bird 

Diana Violet Bird is passing her knowledge about foraging on to her nine-year-old daughter.

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Demonstrators walk through Glasgow, Scotland — where COP26 was held — during the Fridays For Future march on November 5, 2021.

Can we shop our way out of the climate crisis?

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