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ClimateFast News

Contents

 

 

Highlights from events and campaigns

 

 

December was a busy month for climate activism.  In Toronto, ClimateFast held a December 1st presentation on the COP 20 talks in Lima Peru together with Toronto350 and West End Against Line 9, and joined with United Church, Unitarian, and Quaker congregations for the International ‘Light for Lima’ vigil Dec 7th. See international photos from December 7th ‘Light for Lima’ vigils and scroll down for more info on the International Fast for the Climate’s plans for the next year.  Many of us will be fasting January 1st, (and some on the 31st, or the 2nd), as part of our monthly pledge. Others will carbon fast.  However it’s not necessary to fast to take climate action!

 

 

Take action: sign AVAAZ petition, write a letter to the editor, write your MP, or the party leaders - scroll down for details… and let us know what other actions you are taking. Keep in touch!  Together we make the difference!

 

 

 

 

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After Lima - Where Are We?

As the Lima climate talks at the COP20 (Conference of the Parties, UN Conference on Climate Change) come to an end, we have both good news, and bad news. ClimateFaster Frances Deverell offers these thoughts on the Lima climate talks:

 

 

The Good News

  • The World Climate March in New York City (and around the world) on Sept 21st had a significant impact on the COP20 talks.

  • Many world leaders (like Mark Carney, Bank of England, leaders from the IMF and the World Bank) are clearly stating the case for aggressive, concrete, measurable action to reduce greenhouse gases.  Both Carney and Obama are saying we need to leave 2/3 of current reserves in the ground.  See John Kerry’s speech to the COP20. 

  • The United States and China chose to lead by making strong personal commitments to reduce their own emissions.  They have made leading gifts to the climate mitigation fund for countries disproportionately affected, and this fund has now reached its target.

  • The Rockefeller Foundation (built on oil energy) and the World Council of Churches have both voted to divest from fossil fuels, and The World Bank recommends divestment.

  • Reports keep showing that the BC carbon tax is working and has not had a negative impact on jobs.  In fact the BC economy is growing while carbon emissions are declining. (Learn more about the BC carbon tax here and here.)

  • Quebec and Ontario have begun talks on a carbon tax and on sharing water power with Ontario.

  • Many countries are making tremendous progress in building renewable energy economies.  Germany is now providing over 30% of its electrical needs from renewable sources, and created 370,000 jobs in the process.

  • ClimateFast’s three asks:  To stop subsidizing fossil fuels, put a price on carbon, and focus all investment on renewable energy are realistic and are entering mainstream thinking.

  • Many reports show a target of 100% renewable energy by 2050 is technically feasible and financially realistic if we had the political will to do it.  The goal of reaching 100% carbon-free by 2050 is talked about in this Guardian article.  And this goal is being promoted through this AVAAZ petition.

 

 

The Bad News

  • Petty politics continue to hold up the climate talks.  People are worried about how the money will be spent in the mitigation fund and who will control it.  Will it be just another pot of money syphoned into the pockets of big business or corrupt politicians?  Will it be used to pay for needed transition to renewable energy?

  • Some countries continue to block the talks and to refuse to commit to reasonable targets for reductions.  They are dragging their heels and failing to meet current targets.  Canada is among the worst.  We are not planning to even meet our Copenhagen Targets and we need much more aggressive targets than those to pull our weight.

  • Global warming is already here.  The window for action is very short before exponential warming of between 4 and 8 degrees is unstoppable.

  • According to the Climate Action Network, “The Lima Outcome neither reflects the growing public support for the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, nor the urgency to accelerate this transition.”

 

 

Climate Change has hit the mainstream consciousness.  People are paying attention.  We have to build on this positive momentum for the election in 2015.  Politicians are getting ready for an election call as early as February or as late as October.  No matter who wins government, we need them to know that we expect the Canadian government to roll up its sleeves and come to the table ready to work seriously on climate change.  Our shameful role in the international process must change.

 

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Letter Writing

 

The good news is that there are only 2 NDP MPs who have not yet pledged their support.  So if you have an NDP MP could you write and thank them, and at the same time, ask them to ask their party leader, Thomas Mulcair to sign the pledge?  Your cc will also go to Thomas Mulcair.

While 2/3rds of the Liberal MPs have signed the pledge, there are still 11 Liberal MPs, including party leader Justin Trudeau, who have not signed.  If you have a Liberal MP who hasn’t signed, would you write them a note asking them to sign? And if your Liberal MP has signed, would you thank them for their pledge, and ask them to ask Justin to sign?  Your cc will go to Trudeau, and will also come to ClimateFast.  No Conservative MPs have signed this pledge yet - so please urge yourConservative MP to do so.  For Independent MPs, some have, some haven’t so please check here, and then check the sample letter on the letters tab.

 

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Media - Letters and Calls

 

In the leadup to the election letters to the editor, and call-ins to talk shows can be very effective in bringing our concerns to public attention.  All politicians’ offices track the letters to the editor and many shows, like CBC’s the Current, read letters on air.  When a newspaper or radio show receives a number of letters or calls on an issue, this raises the likelihood they will print one.  Letters in response to a current editorial or feature article, or major media story, have the most likelihood of being printed, and it helps to keep the length to 150 words or less.  More tips on letter writing with thanks to Cheryl McNamara, of CCL. If you would like to be added to a letter writing e-group, let us know. A group connected to Citizens Climate Lobby shares links to current articles and letters we get into print.

 

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Are You Fasting? OR Organizing An Event?

 

Is this the year for you to become a ClimateFaster – fasting from either food or carbon on the first of every month till COP21 in Paris at the end of 2015?  Pledge here.  Would you consider inviting your family or friends to join you? (To join the international fast for the climate pledge here.) Have you considered organizing an event and inviting the public to become actively involved?The first of the month will be on a Sunday February 1st and March 1st.  Can you get your faith community involved?  Let us know what you are doing in your community - together we can really make that difference!

 

“Hope is a moral imperative.”  - Maude Barlow

“Faith that your actions do make a difference is what makes it possible to hope.”   - Frances Deverell

 

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Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) Educational Resource And Short Videos

 

CCL one of ClimateFast’s supporting organizations held its annual conference and lobby days in Ottawa in late November.  The conference presentations can be found online here.

And some short videos you might find useful:

Price of Carbon (2 minutes, 24 seconds)

Climate Change is Simple:  (17 minutes) with serious consequences if we don’t act.

 

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International Fast For The Climate Launches 365 Days of Fasting

 

On December 1st, the largest climate fast ever took place, in solidarity with those fasting in Lima during COP20. Laura Vargas from the Interfaith Council of Peru stated: “We are fasting in solidarity with the communities that are already suffering due to ongoing climate change and insufficient support for adaptation. As long as government action is insufficient, we will continue to fast.”

 

Among prominent fasters were: Yeb Sano, Philippines Climate Commissioner, Kumi Naidoo, the Executive Director of Greenpeace; Loretta Minghella, Christian Aid Chief Executive; Bishop Apimeleki Qiliho from Fiji, Bishop Nick Holtam Church of England; Bishop Andrew Dietsche from New York; Bishop Steve Moreo from Johannesburg; Bishop of Salisbury; Martin Junge, General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation; Nicolas Hulot, Special Envoy of the President of France for the Protection of the Planet.

 

On December 1st, Fast for the Climate also launched 365 Days of Fasting.

“From the 1st of December 2014, at the beginning of COP20, to the 30th of November 2015, at the beginning of COP21, 365 fasters will successively fast for one day – that is, refrain from food during a whole day, or at least one meal. This chain of fasting will travel from Lima, Peru, to Paris, France. The 365 fasters will successively fast on all continents.

 

So now we’re stepping it up a notch. One person will fast every day from COP20 to COP21. This year-long fasting chain between COP20 and COP21 will act as a further sign of our solidarity with the victims of climate change, calling not only for progress but for a meaningful outcome from the climate talks. At the same time, its worldwide journey will engage new communities in the struggle for climate action and climate justice.

 

The chain will spend two months on each continent, starting in Latin America and finishing in Europe. The 365 fasters will show the diversity of the partners of the #fastfortheclimate. We will include secular as well as religious people of all traditions, concerned individuals as well as representatives of organisations, common believers as well as religious leaders, men and women, young and old. We will try to involve people from as many faith or spiritual traditions as possible on the one hand, and from as many activist movements as possible on the other.

 

We encourage the 365 fasters to create a #fastfortheclimate event on the 1st of each month in their own communities and to join the monthly fast until the 1st of December 2015, at the beginning of COP21 in Paris.”

 

The 365 Days of Fasting are currently based in Latin America. Sign up to support this fast here. and through your pledge to ClimateFast.


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