The latest PBCM blog on the 2024 Carbon Sink Failure reminds us that even well-intended climate strategies can stall when we keep working inside outdated rules. As philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn explained in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, change comes when we recognize that the old paradigm no longer explains reality. Our cities still measure climate progress through frameworks that overlook how food choices and land use interact. That blind spot keeps solutions fragmented and weak. PBCM exists to challenge and update those rules — showing that municipal policies can link what we eat, how we use public land, and how we count emissions into one coherent, climate-smart system.
Paradigm shifts rarely move smoothly; researchers call the pattern punctuated equilibrium — long periods of slow change interrupted by moments when new thinking breaks through. PBCM works patiently to prepare for those moments. Each time a city passes a motion to prioritize plant-based food or rethink procurement, it’s more than a symbolic gesture. It’s the quiet cracking of an old system and the planting of new ideas in law and practice. When enough cities take these steps, momentum builds and a tipping point can arrive faster than most expect.
But no paradigm shift sustains itself without data and committed people. PBCM’s insistence on measurement — tracking the impact of new food policies, greenhouse gas savings, and ecosystem benefits — gives the movement credibility and power. And it needs citizens like you to help advocate for evidence, support local motions, and share the story with neighbours and leaders. If we want the next break in the status quo to move toward a truly climate-smart food system, your involvement matters now. Join a PBCM campaign, donate, help advocate at city hall, or simply share the facts. Together, we can move beyond small tweaks and build a new normal where local action drives global change.
Get Involved today and help push your city toward a climate-smart future.
About Brian Labatte
As a senior Montreal based leader in the energy sector, Brian has spearheaded business development, engineering teams, legal trade cases, and product innovation. He is a founding member of the Good Judgement Project, a prominent group in forecasting political and economic trends. Brian enjoys outdoor sports and hiking with his dogs in Vermont.