Current emissions reductions targets are likely to create a warming of 3.5°C by 2020, far below the original pledge of 2°C lower. The Climate Action Tracker has done an analysis that shows what the financial and environmental risks are. The tracker is continually updating according to the latest information available. What the current analysis shows is that "for every US$1 of investment not spent on reducing emissions in the power sector before 2020 an additional US$4.3 would need to be spent after2020 to compensate for the increased emissions.
Under new provincial legislation, school administrators will be able to permanently expel bullies. The province already has a Safe Schools Act and this new legislation will provide an opportunity to take meaningful action.
The Saanich Civic League has released a report card giving voters information on how individual councillors voted on specific issues. The Saanich Civic League is a non-partisan group, but they acknowledge the report card only covers a portion of the votes cast in council, and shows mainly where council votes were not unanimous.
Last spring, the Saanich School Board banned WiFi in all public elementary schools, now a private elementary school south of Prince George is following suite. The move to ban WiFi comes as reported cases of nausea, faintness, headaches and cardiac arrests among children, are on the rise. To find out more about WiFi and children's health visit Safe Schools.
Hamilton Ontario has created a voluntary climate action charter that can be used by local individuals, businesses and organization to foster communication and commitment on addressing climate change. Signees are expected to keep informed on climate change issues, set targets, show leadership, report annually on climate change measures, and to educate fellow Hamilton residents. A copy of the charter can be found here.
A campaign to create a sexual orientation and gender identity policy for all BC schools is underway. The campaign is asking individuals to submit personal letters explaining why they think such a policy is needed. Those in the LGBT community are encouraged to write as are their friends and allies. Letters can be sent to:
Purple Letter Campaign#376-3495 Cambie StVancouver, BCV5Z 4R3
Or via email to purplelettercampaign@gmail.com
BC's Farm to School program is having a transformative effect on student participants. The program provides students with locally grown food served at the school cafeteria, and some classroom time dedicated to learning about local food and nutrition. At participant schools students are enthusiastically lining up at the salad bar and are showing a genuine interest in growing their own food.
ICLEI Canada Adaptation Initiative is offering a unique program to municipalities addressing climate change and adaptation. " Participants have access to exclusive webshops, each focusing on specific areas of a milestone; in-person workshops; networking opportunities with other participants and experts in the field of adaptation; and ongoing technical support from ICLEI Canada Staff." The Initiative will run from January 2012-December 2013.
September 27th 2011 served as "Earth Overshoot Day," meaning humanity's demands on nature have surpassed what nature can provide. The extreme depletion of fish stocks, forests and clean water is has lead to a situation where the earth cannot replenish itself at the pace at which we are taking from it."Earth Overshoot Day shows the day on which our total Ecological Footprint (measured in global hectares) is equal to the biocapacity (also measured in global hectares) that nature can regenerate in that year.
The Community Energy Association's latest funding guide for climate change initiatives provides a comprehensive list of programs and grants that offer financial incentives for climate change initiatives. The guide also provides tools and resources for accessing up-to-date information on energy planning.
