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5 Things to Know Today: Gas Prices Keep Falling, WestJet's Strike Drags On, and the Tariff Clock Is Ticking

  Monday, August 3, 2026 — Civic Holiday It's the Civic Holiday, so the TSX and the big banks are closed — but plenty is still moving that will hit your wallet this week. Here are five things worth knowing today. 1. Markets and banks are closed today — here's what that means for your money The TSX, TSX Venture, and Montreal Exchange are shut for the Civic Holiday and reopen Tuesday morning. Most major banks are closed too, which means e-transfers, bill payments, and cheque deposits made today may not clear until Tuesday. What it means for you: If you have a mortgage payment, credit card payment, or bill due today, submit it a day early where possible to avoid a processing delay counting against you. Any trades placed today will execute Tuesday when markets reopen. 2. Oil just crashed — and gas prices are following it down Brent crude fell roughly 6% to close to $84 a barrel after reports that a planned strike on Iran was called off, easing fears of a wider Middle East supply di...

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Global Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Reach Unprecedented Levels in 2023

 

In a concerning development, global energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) surged to a record high last year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that these emissions rose by 410 million tonnes, representing a 1.1% increase, bringing the total to 37.4 billion tonnes.

Several factors contributed to this alarming trend:

  1. Fossil Fuel Use in Drought-Affected Regions: Countries grappling with droughts faced challenges in hydropower production. As a result, they turned to fossil fuels, exacerbating emissions.
  2. China’s Economic Reopening: China’s economy rebounded, leading to increased energy demand and subsequent emissions.
  3. Renewables and Electric Vehicles: While clean technologies like wind, solar, and electric vehicles helped curb emissions growth, other factors offset these gains.

Scientists emphasize that steep cuts in CO2 emissions are essential to meet global climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Without rapid reductions, we risk runaway climate change. The challenge lies in swiftly transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing sustainable alternatives.

Regional Trends

  • United States: Energy-related emissions fell by 4.1%, primarily driven by reductions in the electricity sector.
  • European Union: Emissions dropped by nearly nine per cent due to increased renewable power generation and decreased coal and gas power.
  • China: Despite contributing significantly to solar, wind, and electric vehicle additions, China’s emissions rose by 5.2% as it recovered from COVID-19-related lockdowns.

Globally, electric vehicles accounted for one in five new car sales in 2023, reaching 14 million—a remarkable 35% increase compared to 2022.

The urgency to address this crisis cannot be overstated. Our collective efforts must focus on sustainable energy sources and innovative solutions to combat climate change. 

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