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February 03, 2010 Flaws of Copenhagen Accord Revealed Citizens and media from around the world have been rightly critical of the outcome at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December. Attention was focused mainly on the Copenhagen Accord, a weak and non-binding agreement hammered out between 25 countries and not adopted by the United Nations as a whole. One of the milestones of the Copenhagen Accord came and went this past weekend. Countries had until Jan. 31st to associate themselves with the Accord and/or pledge their commitments to reducing global warming pollution. The result further highlighted the inadequacies of the Accord, namely that it is not representative and democratic, that it is much too weak to avoid dangerous global warming impacts, and that it is not legally-binding. Fewer than one-third of the world’s countries made submissions under the Accord and some, like China and India, did so without even mentioning the Copenhagen Accord at all. Though more may come forward over the coming months, we are still a long way from a truly global deal (In comparison, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change has 192 members and the Kyoto Protocol has 190). It is notable that the world’s poorest countries and those most vulnerable to climate change largely voted with their silence. Only three (of 39) small island states and only eight (of 52) African states formally associated themselves with the Accord. Little is expected of the world’s poorest countries in terms of reducing their global warming emissions, since they have so little anyway, so they can only benefit from strong action being taken to tackle global warming. Clearly, they do not see the Copenhagen Accord leading to strong action. One of the biggest reasons why the Copenhagen Accord is flawed—little pressure on the world’s greatest polluters to take greater action—was displayed by Canada. A top ten global polluter and already with the weakest target in the industrialized world, Canada weakened its target even further. Other countries like the EU, Australia, Russia, Norway, and New Zealand, only committed to the lower end of their previously pledged ranges. Thank goodness, these governments must be thinking, we don’t have to look those from vulnerable countries in the eye as we scale back our ambition to tackle global warming. We can just fill in a form and send it in. And yet, there are good reasons to feel optimistic after Copenhagen. The summit successfully mobilized thousands of Canadians and millions of citizens around the world calling for leadership to tackle global warming. It was not only inspiring, it can be built upon in 2010. Second, the salvation of the Copenhagen summit, which has not been discussed very much, was a decision to continue the UN two-track process to deliver a global climate deal, including a continuation of the Kyoto Protocol. Unlike the Copenhagen Accord, this one includes all countries. Unlike the Copenhagen Accord, it has a deadline for completing a legally-binding agreement—this December in Mexico. The so-called BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) have called for six UN negotiating sessions in 2010, including the Mexico meeting, to finalize a legally-binding deal under the UN. They have insisted that the final outcome include the Kyoto Protocol. Unlike what is happening under the Copenhagen Accord, if governments like Canada’s want to abdicate responsibility for their pollution and in the process screw those most impacted by global warming, they’ll actually have to do it face to face at the United Nations.
Posted by Dale Marshall at February 03, 2010 October 15, 2009
Over the past couple of weeks I've been communicating with the David Suzuki Foundation Facebook and Twitter communities. It's amazing to see our fans so actively engaged. The dialogue is really interesting. We've been blown away by the response to David Suzuki's action alert this week. Over 10,000 messages were sent to Canada's prime minister and opposition leaders in the House of Commons. You can help build momentum and get 20,000 messages to Canada's prime minister by encouraging your friends to take part. We appreciate everyone's involvement at this crucial time. Stay tuned to the Foundation's Facebook, Twitter (@DavidSuzukiFDN), blog, and campaign pages and help us keep the momentum going. By Ryan Kadowaki, Program Coordinator at the David Suzuki Foundation This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 Climate change increases the risk of species extinction
Scientists warn us that our planet is undergoing a major wildlife crisis on par with earlier mass extinction events in the earth's history. It is estimated that some 16,000 species are currently threatened with extinction, including 12 per cent of birds, a quarter of all mammals and a third of amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders. Among the most vulnerable wildlife, are plants and animals that are iconic to Canadians: such as polar bears and grizzlies, salmon and woodland caribou. The effects of climate change are predicted to sharply increase the risk of species extinction within our children's lifetime. Indeed, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 20 - 30% of all plants and animals that we share this planet with today, face a premature risk of extinction directly as a consequence of climate change. By Dr. Faisal Moola, PhD, Director of Terrestrial Conservation and Science at the David Suzuki Foundation This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 A word from David Suzuki on Blog Action Day
As a northern nation with the longest marine coastline of any nation, Canada has people, economic sectors and ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Inuit have been telling us for decades that they are witnessing the effects of climate change in the Arctic. Because our economy depends on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism, which are all very climate sensitive, our economic future will be impacted. It is in Canada's best interest to take strong action to reduce our emissions. And do not be placated by promises of carbon capture and storage (CCS). This is a completely untried technology with enormous problems of cost as well as unanswered questions about long-term stability of the carbon put under ground as well as the ecological implications of underground storage. CCS is pie-in-the-sky technology meant to lull us into thinking we can carry on with business as usual. We cannot. Indications are that the Government of Canada is doing all it can to water down science-based targets and timetables. We can make a difference by letting the government know that we want Canada to sign an ambitious, fair and binding agreement at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December. One simple thing you can do right now is send a message to Canada's prime minister and leaders of the opposition in the House of Commons. Yesterday, 8,000 Canadians sent a message and joined millions of people around the world taking action. You can send your message from our UN Climate Summit page.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 Climate change a challenge for many critters
By Michelle Connolly, Science Technician at the David Suzuki Foundation. This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 Pacific salmon would appreciate action on climate change
Climate change is already affecting Pacific salmon in Canada. Increasing river temperatures have contributed to the loss of millions of sockeye salmon as they attempt to migrate upstream to spawn. Warmer waters and altered flows also affect baby salmon as they incubate in gravels over the winter and start their life in freshwater. Changing ocean conditions, including increasing water temperature and ocean acidification, affect the availability and location of food that juvenile salmon depend on to grow large and survive in marine environments. To protect this icon of Canada, shaping our culture, industry and identity, we must do our part to address climate change. We owe it to the salmon, and we owe it to ourselves. By Jeffery Young, Aquatic Biologist at the David Suzuki Foundation This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 How I'm taking action on climate change
How can I get as many letters as possible to the Prime Minister, asking for real action on climate change in Copenhagen? I'm inviting everyone I know, from all my networks, to an afternoon open/house letter writing 'bee' at my home. That group includes friends, family, coworkers, neighbours - everyone on my contact lists. I'm asking them to bring their friends and children, too - anyone old enough to sign a letter to the Prime Minister. I'll have sample letters printed so people can personalize and sign them, then I'll collect all of those up and mail 'em altogether to the House of Commons. I hope we get a least 100! We'll have snacks and drinks and, depending on who shows up, we might sit around and sing songs. Nothing like a little music to galvanize community spirit! By Gail Mainster, Outreach Coordinator at the David Suzuki Foundation This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 Impact of rising emissions also felt below the waves
What happens when six million tonnes a day of carbon dioxide is absorbed by the world's oceans? Simply stated the ocean becomes increasingly acidic. Many of the ocean's marine organisms, such as crabs, corals, krill and clams, have a calcium carbonate shell which dissolves under acidic conditions, meaning all these animals will need to expend more energy just to maintain their shells. These species provide the foundation of the entire marine food web. Cooler waters dissolve CO2 better than warmer waters, meaning Canada's waters, especially the Arctic are at greater risk. Already, the science is indicating that within 10 years, 10% of Arctic waters will reach corrosive levels. Increasing acidity is linked to the laws of chemistry and therefore there is only one thing that can be done to reduce the rate of change; that is, reduce the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. By Scott Wallace, Sustainable Fisheries Analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009 Businesses re-think and improve practices in the face of climate change
Climate change is a challenge, for sure, but it's also an opportunity to re-think the way we do things, and do them better. These businesses and many others, both large and small, are showing us that we have the solutions to climate change within our reach. What we need now is strong leadership at all levels of government, to put in place the framework that will promote innovation throughout the marketplace, and make clean energy and efficiency part of everyone's lives. By acting now, we can meet the challenge of climate change, and look forward to a bright future. If this sounds like where you want to be, check out our web page on the upcoming U.N. Climate Summit, and use the easy link to send your message to Canada's prime minister. Let him know that you want Canada to be among the world leaders putting forward solutions to climate change, not roadblocks. For more about what businesses can do, see our guide, Doing Business in a New Climate. This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 October 15, 2009
Join Lindsay at http://www.queenofgreen.ca/ to learn how to detox and make your own products. This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.
Posted by Ryan Kadowaki at October 15, 2009 |
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February 2010
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The world is counting down to the climate-change meetings in Copenhagen in December.
