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The 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC is expected to take place from November 30 to December 11th, 2015, in Paris, France. The Presidents of COP20 and COP21 (Pulgar-Vidal and Fabius) have issued a joint statement of their hopes for this conference: They hope we will reach a global agreement to limit temperature rise to 2° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. They note that the scientific reality of climate disruption and its serious consequences are established, the “means to act” are known and the expected benefits of global action are clear. They highlight the need for political will from each country to “commit itself” in order to arrive at an ambitious agreement in Paris. They dedicate themselves to achieve this. read more
The January 2015 Issue of Nature Vol. 517 published a paper by Cristophe McGlade and Paul Elkins analysing the world’s oil and gas reserves and giving each country its Carbon Budget. You’ll see on page 12 a chart that shows that Canada must leave 72% of conventional reserves and 99% of unconventional reserves (read Tar Sands) in the ground if we are to do our part to achieve this goal. They must not be burnt as fuel!
In The Guardian (January 15, 2015) UK environmentalist Jonathon Porritt calls his years working on green energy projects with Shell and BP a ‘painful journey’ that has led him to believe no major fossil fuel company will commit to renewables in the near future. Nor, I might add, will they be willing to stop producing fossil fuels until they are forced by either regulation or market conditions to do so.
This is the year everything has to change. We have to convince our politicians at all levels to do what must be done, and to lead, even though the general population of Canada may not be ready. A fundamental beginning would be to:
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put a progressively growing price on carbon,
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stop subsidizing oil and gas exploration and development of new reserves, (Each of us is still contributing $1000 a year to support the oil and gas sector in its efforts to maintain the status quo.) TYEE quoting IMF
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and to redirect all energy investment toward renewable energy.
The Economist (January 17, 2015) says, “the fall in the price of oil and gas provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix bad energy policies ... The plunging price of oil, coupled with advances in clean energy and conservation, offers politicians around the world the chance to rationalize energy policy. They can get rid of billions of dollars of distorting subsidies, especially for dirty fuels, whilst shifting taxes towards carbon use. A cheaper, greener and more reliable energy future could be within reach.”
There are even more good ideas that can be implemented. We know what to do and we know the solutions are within our capacity and available technology. The world is already moving quickly in this direction. Investment in renewable energy is now up 16% world- wide led by China and the USA. In December, a Globe and Mail article reported that jobs in the green energy sector already exceed employment in the Tar Sands.
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What can we do that will help to bring about this 180° turn in energy policy? How can we build the courage to act?
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Step up your support of ClimateFast’s campaign- Climate First on the First. Fast and tell your friends and family why you are fasting. Write a letter to a politician either federally or provincially on the first of every month. (See this month’s sample letter here.) February 1st and March 1st are both Sundays: can you do an event at your church or in your community on one of those days? On or around Earth Day (April 22nd) hold an educational event and advertise it to the public.
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Sign up to fast on one day in February or March as part of the world-wide Fast For the Climate (make that name a live link) movement which wants people fasting every single day in 2015 leading up to Paris. Do you know a well known Canadian figure that you could invite to join this movement, fast for a day, and make their fast public? If you do, please let us know at climatefast@climatefast.ca.
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If you are part of a Faith Community, pay attention to what your church is doing. This article from the Methodist Community is one example. More and more churches are joining the divest/invest movement to divest from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy. Catholics are having the discussion as they anticipate an encyclical on climate change from Pope Francis.
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SIGN A PETITION: Easy to do and there is strength in numbers. Sign Citizens Climate Lobby petition for a referendum on fee and dividend price on carbon.
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TAKE PROVINCIAL ACTION: many provinces have some form of carbon pricing or are considering it. In Ontario the Wynne government is close to taking such action. You can send a letter to the Premier, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and your own MPP through the website.
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Watch an important panel on carbon pricing. Carbon pricing is one of ClimateFast’s three asks. Many people don’t understand the different systems that are options for moving forward on this ask. For Our Grandchildren and Citizens Climate Lobby are hosting a panel of experts on Tuesday Jan 27th, 7:30 pm, in Toronto. You can watch the event live on-line (or afterward).
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WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Each letter you send makes a difference - whether it is printed or not, it sends a message that people care and want this issue covered. Guidelines are available on our website. You may wish to respond to the Toronto Star editorial from Friday Jan 23rd: "Carbon Pricing: Canada can lead again on climate"
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To know who is your provincial representative take a look at our list.
Together we can make a difference. As Stephen Hawking said, “There should be no boundaries to human endeavour. Where there is life, there is hope.