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Climate change is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Through the burning of fossil fuels, and other human activities, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are entering the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate. As these gases build up, a ‘blanket’ is created which traps heat from the sun and causes a rise in the average global temperature. According to the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global mean temperature of the Earth has increased by 0.3 to 0.6 degrees Celsius over the past 100 years and sea level has risen by between 10-25 cm. While these changes may seem rather insignificant, the consequences could prove very severe. Due to changes in weather, water resources and water availability will likely be drastically affected in many places. Droughts and floods are likely to be both more frequent and severe, particularly in subtropical regions where many developing countries will be affected. As well, atmospheric warming will result in higher ocean temperatures leading to an expansion in the volume of water and a rise in sea level. By the end of the 21^st century, the IPCC estimates that a further rise of 50 cm can be expected. For peoples living in vulnerable areas such as the Pacific and Caribbean islands, as well as along coastal areas, such an increase would prove catastrophic.

In response to such dire predictions the global community has taken preliminary, yet tentative steps, towards stabilizing carbon dioxide emissions. At the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted whereby countries made a general commitment to take steps on climate change. Within the treaty it was recognized that primary responsibility for taking action rests with industrialized nations since they have produced more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. It was not until five years later, however, that an agreement was reached which mandated industrialized nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, the industrialised world collectively agreed to reduce its emissions by at least 5% below 1990 levels by the years 2008-2012. Canada signed this protocol and indicated its commitment to reduce its emissions by the slightly higher amount of 6% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. To make this signature binding, however, Canada must ratify the treaty. Despite this agreement, and even assuming these targets are achieved, global totals are projected to increase to approximately 30% above 1990 levels by 2010 and by 60% by 2020.

Given these predictions, all governments must be called upon to take the issue of climate change very seriously and to begin taking immediate action to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian Parliament has not yet ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Over the past couple of years, the federal government has been in discussion with provincial governments, industry, environmental organizations, and other sectors to develop a plan as to how Canada can meet its commitment. The Kyoto Protocol will probably not be submitted to parliament for ratification until agreement has been reach on an implementation plan. Whether agreement will be reached, and whether it will be sufficient to meet Canada’s commitment, remains to be seen.

While the Kyoto Protocol is far from sufficient, any efforts made to move towards meeting its targets would represent a significant first step for the Canadian government. Accordingly, as part of the Jubilee "Renewal of the Earth" theme, the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative is initiating a postcard campaign on climate changed aimed at the federal government and the provincial governments. As well, CEJI has chosen to also launch a postcard campaign against Imperial Oil - one of the most vocal industry voices opposing Canada’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

The campaign urges the federal government:

• to act immediately on the commitments it made under the Kyoto Protocol and asks the government to table legislation to ratify the protocol by the spring of 2001;

• to publicly commit itself to a comprehensive package of measures in the 2001 budget;

• and to announce immediate measures to begin to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

In focusing on the provincial governments, the campaign calls upon them

• to work with the federal government to develop an effective Canada-wide climate change strategy; and

• to take steps necessary so that legislation which ratifies the Kyoto Protocol is tabled by spring 2001.

With regard to Imperial Oil, the campaign

• asks its chief executive officer to end the company’s opposition to Canadian ratification of the Kyoto Protocol;

• calls on the company, as a fossil fuel producer, to do everything within its means to reduce its own carbon dioxide emissions; and

• urges the company to explore alternative energy sources that contribute far less to climate change.

Copies of the action materials for this campaign are available from the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative. They include the "Creating A Climate for Change" background brochure and postcards directed to the Prime Minister, provincial premiers, and the CEO if Imperial Oil. Available in bundles of 25 for $5.00; 50 for $8.00; and 100 for $12.00.

Further animation resources, including a workshop and a worship service, are available in the CEJI Year 3 leadership guide, Restoring Right Relations, at a cost of $6.00.

Action in Local Church Communities:
Climate Change and Building Retrofit Workshops

Saturday, February 3 - Guelph ON:
Ignatius Hall, Guelph Center of Spirituality, 5420 Highway 6 North.
Location:  TBA
Location: Port Credit Library 20 Lakeshore Road E. Mississauga )
Contact:

Links

More information on climate change is available from:

» See also the Articles Page for specific articles and links related to ecology in general and climate change in particular.

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