Natural allies: environment, energy, and the history of US–Canada relations.

The article discusses the relationship between the environment, energy, and the history of US-Canada relations. It argues that nature has been forgotten by the wealthy and that environmental diplomacy in the 1980s helped revive the connection with nature. The book examines the three-way relationship between Canada, the United States, and the environment, focusing on the importance of understanding the history of this relationship in relation to the environment and energy. It highlights the impact of natural resources on ecosystems and human systems, as well as the power asymmetries that can arise from interfering with ecosystems or blocking access to natural resources. The article also mentions the importance of balancing sovereignty and prosperity in diplomatic relations, using the example of acid rain as a significant bilateral issue. The book emphasizes that borders do not diminish the connections between physical environments and human relationships, and that when in harmony, people and nature benefit equally. It explores the role of water in shaping early bilateral relations and Canada's political economy, as well as the shift from hydroelectricity to fossil fuels as the top energy export. The article concludes by discussing the wider geopolitical pressures that nature imposes on the US-Canada relationship and the importance of considering nature as a silent actor in international diplomacy. [Extracted from the article]