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Pope Francis
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Events in Toronto
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Take Action!
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News
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Pope Francis calling for climate action
by Rita Bijons
This month, June 16th, will mark the release of what is coming to be known as the Papal Eco-Encyclical. An Encyclical is the name typically given to a letter written by a Pope to a particular audience of Bishops on an issue of great importance for all humanity, not just Catholics. The Pope, who has spoken out several times on the need for fair and just actions to protect our environment, is becoming a great climate champion, and Fast for the Climate will work to spread the messages of his Eco-Encyclical this month. This will strengthen the momentum of climate action demands heading into COP21 in Paris. Titled “Laudato si”, this long awaited encyclical on the preservation of Earth and life will be the first written entirely by Pope Francis. Please do keep an eye on Fast for the Climate’s Facebook page, where media and social media content will be posted.
As would be anticipated, the Pope’s call is transforming discourse around climate change.
Read these articles:
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Pope to Call for Global Moral Solidarity to Address Ecological Crisis
This Thursday, June 18, Pope Francis, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, will unveil his long-awaited Encyclical on the environment. A leaked draft of the document suggests what most anticipated: that this will be a historic faith-lead call to action for millions, asking them to stand together against environmental degradation, global warming, and the resulting impacts on the world’s vulnerable people. The leak shows the Holy See’s respect for the unassailable scientific case for taking climate action, and demonstrates themes of environmental stewardship, clean development, and care for humanity. Focusing on the moral obligation to safeguard the earth and mankind’s common good, the Pope speaks of "the urgent challenge to protect our common home" and calls for sustainable development. Thursday’s official unveiling of the Encyclical on the Environment will be heralded by faith leaders and will build on the growing business,social, and political momentum behind clean economic development and environmental protection. Pope Francis has spoken many times on the need to respect and protect the environment, saying that there is a “clear, definitive and ineluctable ethical imperative to act" on climate change. He has said he wants the Encyclical document, called "Laudato Si (Be Praised), On the Care of Our Common Home", to be part of the debate at a major UN summit on climate change, taking place in Paris this December. |
You are also encouraged to hold events to mark this release in your own communities.
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Events in Toronto
June 23 Faith and Our Climate: Uniting Generations
In Toronto, one such event, “Faith and Our Climate: Uniting Generations” will take place Tuesday, June 23rd, at Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. W., 6:30 - 8:30 pm. This event is organized and sponsored by For Our Grandchildren and Just Earth.
What: 2015 is the critical year for action on climate change. Join organizations For Our Grandchildren (4RG) and JustEarth for “Faith and Our Climate: Uniting Generations”, a forum for voters at different end of the demographic scale. This lively event will explore the recent leadership taken by Pope Francis on climate change. Several panelists will consider the moral-ehtical imperative to address the issue and from their diverse perspectives outline the way forward. Audience Q&A and light refreshments will be provided.
Panelists:
• Peter Jones - For Our Grandchildren
• Rev. Andrea Budgey - Anglican priest and advisory board chair of the University of Toronto unit of the Student Christian Movement
• Dr. Dennis O’Hara - Associate Professor, Faculty of Theology, U of T St. Michael’s College
• Risa Alyson Cooper - Executive Director of Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs
• Atiya Jaffar - MA in Environmental Governance and Management, founding coordinator for the Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign at the University
of Guelph
• Moderated by Dr. Stephen Scharper - Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, U of T Mississauga and School of the Environment
Please see Eventbright to get tickets. As well, here is the Facebook page to invite friends and family.
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June 19 Who’s Doing What About Climate Change?
Friday, June 19, 2015 - 6pm to 9:30
North York Civic Centre Council Chambers, 5100 Yonge St.
Meet a number of organizations and community groups from Toronto who are actively making a difference by working towards solutions for climate change and environmental challenges. At least 12 presenters, including Step Up Canada, ClimateFast, Live Green, Citizens Climate Lobby and more will present on how to make a difference, and how to get involved. Tabling, Panel, Book Draw and more!
2015, the year of a federal election and in December, COP21.. IS THE YEAR TO know and do for Climate Action.! Climate Change Toronto invites you to attend this free event and invite all you think will be interested or curious about WHO's DOING WHAT About Climate Change, to come too. Spread the word about this event and let's fill the Council Chambers!
All are welcome. RSVP/Registration required for this free event: Find more details, become a member of CLIMATE CHANGE Toronto and RSVP or register.
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Take Action!
Election Debate Petition - for Climate Change - Sign and Share!! by Lyn Adamson
Here is an important petition to make sure climate change is an issue in this year's federal election debates. The debates have traditionally been hosted by a consortium of broadcasters from various networks such as CBC and CTV (http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/broadcasters-are-undemocratic-may-says-1.976649). We are petitioning the broadcast consortium, and all other networks that have public proposals to host leaders debates, to include climate change as a distinct debate or topic within these forums. In the debates, as well as Maclean's magazine to make climate change an issue since it has previously indicated its interest in hosting a leaders' debate (http://www.macleans.ca/politics/why-canada-needs-more-election-debates/). Our goal for the petition is to reach enough signatories to make the broadcasters aware of Canadians' concern for climate change. We are currently contacting the news stations to enquire the number of signatories needed to make our goal a reality. We hope that at this point in time, you will support this petition by signing on: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/CBC_CTV_Macleans_Include_climate_change_as_a_Canadian_federal_election_debate_topic/
Help keep this moving forward by sharing with your facebook, twitter and email friends! Let’s get thousands of signatures!
Thanks to Alice Xiu and Climate Impact Network for this initiative.
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Get Candidates to take the ClimateFast Pledge for Politicians
by Rita Bijons
They’re chomping at the bit. Now is the time, as candidates for this federal election in your riding are identified, to point out to them that 130 MPs and 15 Senators have signed the ClimateFast Pledge for Politicians, pledging to work to:
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put an end to fossil fuel subsidies
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put a price on carbon
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develop a renewable energy plan for Canada
We encourage you to ask your candidates to sign the ClimateFast Pledge for Politicians. You may download a copy of the ClimateFast Pledge for Politicians, print it out, and invite each of your candidates to sign.
Once your candidate has signed, please contact us by email to advise us (through climatefast@climatefast.ca) so we can collate the information (Candidate’s name, riding, party affiliation, date), and please send the hard copy of the Pledge as signed by your candidate to:
ClimateFast
℅ 60 Lowther Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5R 1C7
We will be pleased to post the information on our website.
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News
Launch of New Lancet Commission Report on Climate Change and Health Impacts This report will be launched June 23 ‘15, and will then be available free through the Lancet Commission’s website.
Thousands join mass climate change lobby outside UK parliament. Read The Guardian article