Facing Climate Risk With Denise Balkissoon 

Denise is a journalist and Executive Editor at The Narwhal— a Canadian non-profit magazine specializing in in-depth environmental journalism. Launched in 2018, it covers underreported stories on climate change and conservation. Denise joins us at IBAOcon this year to talk about how the rising costs of climate change are reshaping risk across Canada.

How does your approach to journalism differ from traditional news outlets?

Big picture, we're a non-profit, which means we can issue our donors charitable tax receipts and we aren't dependent on advertising or corporate ownership. About 7,100 people contribute monthly to support our journalism, which is free to access. 

What role can media play in supporting public preparedness as climate losses increase?

When we cover disasters and extreme weather, we try to zoom out and emphasize the patterns and science of climate change. Global scientific consensus is clear that extreme weather events are more frequent and intense because of human-made greenhouse gases. Hopefully reiterating that point will help people understand the need for long-term planning. 

A majority of people are concerned about climate change, yet a minority discuss it with family or friends… the number one thing anyone can do is to talk about it. 

How do equity, race and politics intersect with climate?

Climate change affects every aspect of our lives. Housing, food prices—all the things we do every day are affected by extreme weather. But while everyone is at risk, that risk isn’t equitable. Low-income communities, Indigenous communities, racialized communities in highly urban areas are more exposed to pollution. First Nations and rural communities are on the frontlines of wildfire evacuations.

As for politics, the goal is to not just cover obvious issues like carbon pricing, but the issues politicians don’t want framed as climate politics. The City of Toronto, where I live, has repeatedly decided not to raise money through taxes to deal with stormwater. Some parts of our sewer system are incredibly old and inadequate for increased rainfall. By keeping taxes artificially low, the government is increasing future emergency response costs and passing that cost of flood protection and rebuilding to individuals.

What’s your leadership journey, and what advice do you have for women in male-dominated fields?

I'm still a rarity in the Canadian media landscape—a racialized woman in a senior editorial position. I have, honestly, one friend in a similar position I can turn to as a peer. It’s still bleak out there. 

To be fair, my writing was recognized early on. But my idea of what stories are important and what issues deserve attention has always been different than most editors in Canada. My effort to push those boundaries wasn’t always welcome. In 2010 some friends and I launched a publication called the Ethnic Aisle to an enthusiastic audience, and it set me on the path where 10 years later, I felt able to help launch a brand new Narwhal bureau in Ontario and lead a team jumping ambitiously into uncharted territory. 

My advice is that it might take a while to find the place you belong and can truly exercise your skills and talent and experience. Be true to yourself. That’s the number one person you shouldn't disappoint. 

Favourite place in Canada to reconnect with nature?

Broadly, the Great Lakes. Although I've yet to go to Lake Superior. One of the things being at The Narwhal has really emphasized for me is the abundance of lakes we have in Ontario. A fifth of the entire planet's surface freshwater! It's so important to protect and respect. I go camping around the Great Lakes watershed every year, including back country camping, no motors and all of the stars. It’s so special, something to not take for granted.  

What’s the one message you want to leave with brokers?

So much research, including from the Re:Climate Institute at Carleton University, shows a majority of people are concerned about climate change, yet a minority discuss it with family or friends. That can be really isolating. It can stoke fear and protectionism. The number one thing anyone can do is to talk about it. 

To me, that means two things for insurance brokers. On the micro level, take time to explain to clients the reasons you’re recommending different types of adaptation and mitigation. I realize there’s a level of skepticism about anything that looks like it might increase costs. There needs to be patience in explaining why a sump pump reduces risk and therefore cost long term. On the macro level, I know IBAO is talking to all levels of government about the need for forward planning, asking about the federal flood insurance backstop, questioning plans to build new housing on floodplains. That systemic conversation is important.