Dr. Monica Gattinger
Title: Polarization over energy and climate in Canada: How bad is it? What’s to be done?
How can Canada chart a positive path for its energy and climate future amid polarization, partisanship and regional differences? Drawing on research from Positive Energy at the University of Ottawa, this talk will examine the nature and extent of polarization over energy and climate issues in Canada, and will explore possible avenues to navigate divisiveness. The key message? There is room for optimism that Canada can align energy and climate imperatives, but there is much to be done to chart a productive path forward. Positive Energy, chaired by Professor Monica Gattinger, is a research and engagement programme that includes extensive public opinion survey work, in-depth studies of energy and environmental leaders’ views, case studies of past efforts to address the challenges, and deep ongoing engagement with policy, regulatory, Indigenous, NGO and industry decision-makers.
Biography:
Monica Gattinger is Director of the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, Full Professor at the School of Political Studies and Founder/Chair of Positive Energy at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Gattinger is an award-winning researcher and highly sought-after speaker, adviser and media commentator in the energy and arts/cultural policy sectors. Her innovative research programme convenes business, government, Indigenous, civil society and academic leaders to address complex policy, regulatory and governance challenges. She has published widely in the energy and arts/cultural policy fields, with a focus on strengthening decision-making in the context of fast-past technological change and markets, changing social values, and lower levels of trust in governments, industry, science and expertise.
Gattinger is Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and serves on advisory boards for the Institute on Governance, the National Research Council Canada, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Pollution Probe and the University of Calgary. She Chairs the Editorial Board of the University of Ottawa Press and is a columnist for JWN Energy’s Daily Oil Bulletin. Monica received the 2020 Clean50 Award for her thought leadership in the energy sector. She holds a Ph.D. in public policy from Carleton University.
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