Urge Canada to Act on the Climate Crisis with the Boldness it Demands
The evidence is clear: climate policies and action bring countless benefits beyond maintaining a livable climate. From less pollution and better health to stronger economies and good jobs, protecting the climate is a win for everyone. Together we can make it happen.
The human, financial, ecological and health costs from the impacts of climate change are skyrocketing. With a concurrent affordability crisis, we can't afford NOT to act on climate.
We have all the necessary resources to benefit from the emerging cleaner economy, but we must take bold and immediate action now.
I am writing to you because I am deeply concerned about the increasingly dangerous and costly impacts of climate change. I urge you to use your political influence to ensure Canada takes immediate and ambitious climate action.
Given the accelerated pace of climate impacts, UN secretary general António Guterres has called for developed countries to commit to reaching net zero emissions as close as possible to 2040.
Specifically I am urging the federal government to:
- Move forward with a strong regulation to cut and cap oil and gas emissions, starting in 2025.
- Put an end to all public financing of fossil fuels by the end of this year, 2024.
- Provide support to low-income families struggling with energy costs through free heat pumps and turnkey retrofits, and facilitate affordable access to energy efficiency, heat pumps and home electrification for all households.
- Fully implement Canada's Emissions Reduction Plan, without delay, and address the gaps identified in the 2023 progress report.
- Advance a fossil fuel phase-out with an immediate halt to new oil and gas infrastructure approvals and support in line with the COP28 agreement.
- Don't allow climate deniers' vocal opposition and misinformation to derail much-needed action.
- Ensure an equity, justice and Indigenous rights lens is applied to all climate policy.
With increasingly serious affordability and climate crises, we can't afford NOT to act on climate.
Sincerely,
Advocate
