Climate Action & Saving Biodiversity
The human race is interconnected with the rest of nature, and we are harming that nature at our own peril. When we kill ecosystems and lessen biodiversity, we threaten our own extinction. Climate change is happening at a rate that species can not adapt to. Pollution and elimination of natural habitats are killing them too. Changing environments undermine our food production. If allowed to continue on its current course, lives lost and the economic costs will far outweigh the cost had we intervened now.
The floods and droughts of climate change will strain and exceed the capacity of national infrastructures designed to serve the world of the past. Rising sea levels will result in climate change refugees from low elevation nations. This is a looming financial and humanitarian crisis. Neighbouring nations will be forced to cope with an influx of displaced people, while also coping with their own national crises of food insecurity and infrastructure overloads.
Canada's commitments to the International Panel on Climate Change were weak targets set by the Harper administration. The requirements were to increase over time, as needed, to make up for delayed actions and worsening conditions. Canada should have since doubled our efforts, yet we have still made no progress.
The UN has spoken clearly on climate change and the need for sustainable development.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/
We need a systemic shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet.
The UN Secretary-General has proposed six climate-positive actions for governments to take once they go about building back their economies and societies:
1. Green transition: Investments must accelerate the decarbonization of all aspects of our economy.
2. Green jobs and sustainable and inclusive growth
3. Green economy: making societies and people more resilient through a transition that is fair to all and leaves no one behind.
4. Invest in sustainable solutions: fossil fuel subsidies must end and polluters must pay for their pollution.
5. Confront all climate risks
6. Cooperation – no country can succeed alone.
We will fight to
Raise our bar of action, so that our carbon emission reductions will be in line with our commitments made to the IPCC, which in 2021 would be a 60% reduction of GHG emissions by 2030 compared to our 2005 levels, which is double Canada's current weak goal of a 30% reduction.
Follow the outline of MISSION: POSSIBLE that will shift our country into a new, stronger and sustainable green economy that leaves no one behind and will have us carbon neutral by 2050.
Ensure all government endeavours are aligned with the principles of putting the quality of life for people and planet ahead of profits for the ultra-wealthy and multinational corporations.
What you can do
Write to our MP and MPP and demand that they take action on climate change seriously, and invest in the green economy and green energy projects, as outlined in MISSION:POSSIBLE.
Ensure your investments are with Eco-friendly portfolios. Deal with banks or credit unions that refuse to underwrite carbon intensive industry such as fossil fuels.
Try to purchase your food grown near where you live. Purchase items with as little wasteful packaging as possible, with a mind to reusability and recyclability in a circular economy.
