📌 Call on the BC Government to Ban Gas from New Buildings - Call for Organizational Sign-On
From Dogwood: Burning gas to heat homes and buildings represents a major source of B.C.'s carbon emissions. Requiring new buildings to be powered by clean electricity rather than polluting gas should be step one for any government claiming climate leadership. But the B.C. government continues to allow FortisBC to hook up 10,000 new buildings each year to gas lines. We cannot move forward on the urgent task of transitioning to a zero-carbon economy if new buildings continue to make the situation worse.
📌 Electric School Buses - Urgent Deadline! Please contact your School Board Chair
From For Our Kids: The federal govt's $2.75 billion dollar Zero Emission Transit Fund includes money for electric school buses. The ASTSBC (the association that co-ordinates bus purchases in BC) is putting in a funding proposal on behalf of all interested school bus operators in BC for up to 50% of bus and infrastructure costs, and it can be stacked with provincial funding which can cover up to 60% of bus costs. This means the entire cost of new electric school buses and charging infrastructure could be covered. The ASTSBC needs to submit by the end of November. This means that all school districts must let them know how many electric buses they need for the next three years, and what their infrastructure needs are. Find your School Board Chair here.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Large Buildings - By November 30th
From Metro Vancouver: We are developing an approach to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings over 25,000 ft2. Buildings are the second highest source of GHG regional emissions, at 25%. Metro Vancouver’s Climate 2050 Buildings Roadmap sets a target to reduce GHGs from buildings by 35% by 2030. Read the discussion paper, or watch a short introductory video and complete the feedback form. Read more.
BC Flood Strategy: Public Engagement Now Open - By January 6 2023
The Province of British Columbia is gathering feedback through an Intentions Paper on a proposed Flood Strategy to manage flood safety risks. The purpose is to re-engage First Nations, Indigenous organizations and local governments to identify policy direction for actions; and to engage the public, industry, business, NGOs, professional associations, and academia on the Intentions Paper. You can fill in the survey, and make a written submission.
📌 Tell Your MP and Trudeau to Deliver a Youth Climate Corps
From the Climate Emergency Unit: Climate mobilization in Canada has yet to feel like a grand societal undertaking. The Youth Climate Corps is an invitation to the country’s youth to mobilize to confront today’s gravest threat: the climate emergency. It would put thousands of young people to work in rapidly curbing emissions, preparing our infrastructure for its coming impacts, and responding to current climate emergencies. Can you send a message to key cabinet ministers and MPs, demanding a Youth Climate Corps?
Any group, organization or business with three or more members whose leaders or Board agree with our Members’ Agreement can apply to become a member here. We welcome Save Old Growth as a new member!
100 Friends of WE-CAN: Would you be willing to give a steady monthly donation to WE-CAN? If there are a hundred of us, we can become the financial wind beneath WE-CAN’s wings.
🐦 Build the Climate Twitter-Storm! 🐦
🌍 The COP27 Climate Talks in Egypt 🌍
'Let's Try Something New': Naomi Klein Calls for Boycott of Next COP Climate Summit
From Common Dreams: "Now is the time to decide not to do this all over again next year, when the summit will be in the UAE," argued the author and environmentalist. Read more.
The Big Takeaway from COP27? These Climate Conferences Just Aren’t Working
From Bill McGuire, The Guardian: Rather than a bloated global talking shop, we need something smaller, leaner and fully focused on the crisis at hand. Read more.
Canada Backed Bid to Scale Back ‘Unabated’ Fossil Fuels, But Pledge Never Made it Into the Final COP27 Agreement
From National Observer: Canada was one of more than 80 countries to call for the phasedown of unabated fossil fuels as COP27 negotiations went into overtime. Ultimately, that call did not appear in the final text, which guides global action on climate change. Read more.
COP27 Youth Envoy Omnia El Omrani Proud of Many ‘Firsts’ at the Summit
From National News: Plastic surgeon and climate activist says the inaugural role created by host Egypt will continue at Cop28 in the UAE. Read more.
‘Bittersweet’ COP27 Delivers Historic Win on Climate Justice; Fails to Tackle Climate Crisis Head On
From National Observer: A bittersweet agreement reached at the United Nations’ climate change conference, represents a massive leap forward for climate justice, and a colossal failure to tackle the cause of the climate emergency head on. Read more.
COP27 Backs Gas as ‘Low-Emission Energy’ in Final Declaration
From The Energy Mix: A landmark victory on loss and damage funding was muted when COP 27 delegates realized they’d adopted a final declaration placing natural gas at the centre of the transition off carbon. Read more.
🌱 Climate Solutions 🌱
New Online Toolkit Offers Decarbonization Solutions for Cities
From The Energy Mix: The World Economic Forum has launched an open-access solutions toolbox for urban decarbonization for cities, with 300 case studies drawn from 150 cities around the world. Read more.
Chasing the Sun: Dutch Floating Solar Farm Tracks Sun’s Rays to Absorb More Energy
From Euronews Green: In a good location and normal conditions, seven Proteus islands covering an area of 15,000m2 could generate up to 2GW a year, enough to power 1.5 million homes. Read more.
Embrace What May Be the Most Important Green Technology Ever. It Could Save Us All
From George Monbiot, The Guardian: Never mind the yuck factor: precision fermentation could produce new staple foods, and end our reliance on farming. Read more.
From Environmental Defence: This is the video from the thought-provoking conversations from leaders, artists and change-makers who are steering the energy transition in Canada.
Make Ecocide an International Crime and Other Legal Ideas to Help Save the Planet
From The Guardian: A list of the five most promising legal steps we can take to help fight climate change. Read more.
Brussels Unveils a Citizens’ Climate Assembly to Democratize the Policy
From The Mayor EU: The Assembly should help bridge the gap between what climate action citizens want and what politicians do. The new institution will be made up of 100 people from various backgrounds. It will work on the Capital Region's climate policy for a year, setting the agenda, proposing solutions and monitoring results. Read more.
Climate Activists Are Waging a New Kind of Legal Fight
From Hakai Magazine: In the face of bigger wildfires, deadlier floods, and more extreme weather, plaintiffs around the world are taking up a new tactic: suing for the damage climate change has already wrought. Read more.
Global Electric Vehicle Sales Up 62% (Overall Auto Sales Down 8%)
From Clean Technica: Electric vehicle sales were up 62% globally in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021: 4.3 million sales. European EV market: +9%. US & Canadian EV market: +49%. Chinese EV market: +113%. Read more.
A Global Comparison of the Life-Cycle GHGs of Combustion vs Electric Cars
From ICCT: This wide-ranging life-cycle assessment examines the GHG emissions of passenger cars in Europe, the US, China, and India. It considers GHG emissions at every stage in the life cycle, from extracting and processing raw materials through refining and manufacture to operation and eventual recycling or disposal. Read more.
How Australia Became the World's Greatest Lithium Supplier
From BBC: As demand soars for electric vehicles and clean energy storage, Australia is rising to meet much of the world's demand for lithium. While this helps reduce the need for fossil fuels, it raises another question – how can we source lithium sustainably? Read more.
Electric Helicopter Makes Historic Flight
From Clean Technica: The helicopter was a third-generation e-R44 fully electric conversion of the Robinson R44 helicopter. It flew along the Coachella Valley of California to Palm Springs, 39 kilometers, which took 20 minutes. Read more.
Why the Feared Wave of Solar Panel Waste May Be Smaller and Later than Expected
Researchers say improvements in solar panels mean we need to change expectations about when they’ll need to be repurposed or recycled. Read more.
🌲Forestry Impacts, Science & Politics 🌲
Clearcut Carbon Calculator
The Evergreen Alliance has developed a tool for estimating the forest carbon released by clearcut logging, from the entire province to single clearcuts. We have also estimated the forest carbon emissions associated with each mill in the province, and for carbon released by cutting for log exports. Read more.
The Amazon Forest is Approaching a Tipping point. Some Regions Are Starting to Collapse.
From the Washington Post: Dusty wells. Streams ebbing away. Pristine reserves aflame. Some scientists think the tipping point is already here. Read more (May be paywalled).
“The Forests Are in Trouble. Earth’s Climate is Collapsing. The Association of BC Forest Professionals and Many of its Members Are Complicit in this Trouble.”
From Herb Hammond: Dear President Mierau and Council Members, Association of BC Forest Professionals: By way of this letter, I resign my membership in the ABCFP. I no longer wish to be part of an organization that alleges to “care for BC’s forest and forest lands,” while remaining silent about the degradation and frequent destruction of natural forest integrity and resilience perpetrated by the vast majority of forestry activities. I no longer wish to be part of an organization that is unable to see the forest for the timber. Read more.
🌎 Climate Impacts, Science & Politics 🌎
BC’s 2022 Climate Change Accountability Report
From Jens Wieting: The BC government shared its annual climate accountability report today. Distressingly, new LNG projects & fracking are not mentioned once, despite the fact that new projects like LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink are a huge threat to climate targets. Covers data from 2020. Read the report.
If Oil and Gas Companies Aren't Cutting Emissions at Peak Profits, When Will They Get in the Game?
From Laura Cameron, IIISD in Winnipeg: Oilsands producers need to put their money where their mouth is and funnel profits toward climate solutions. Read more.
What is the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Movement?
From CBC: The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a proposed international agreement to end all new exploration and production of fossil fuels and phase out existing production of fossil fuels to reach the 1.5 C global climate target. The campaign cites a study in Nature that found nearly 60% of oil and methane gas and 90% of coal must stay in the ground to meet that target. The proposed treaty also calls for governments to pursue a just transition to renewable energy for all workers globally. Read more.
Canada Risks $100B in Stranded Assets from Fossil Expansion, Report Finds
From The Energy Mix: “While the stringency and ambition of Canada’s climate policy regime is increasing over time, our energy exporting sector remains the elephant in the room,” writes Re_Generation, a youth-run organization advocating for sustainable business practices in Canada. Read more.
What Way Forward for the BC NDP: Will New Premier David Eby Set a New Climate Course?
From Seth Klein, National Observer: I had a rather unique, and sometimes stressful, vantage point on the BC NDP leadership contest. Both Dave Eby and Anjali Appadurai are my longtime friends. Read more.
A Year after RCMP Raids on Wet’suwet’en Territory, the Coastal GasLink Conflict Isn’t Going Away
From The Narwhal: Na’moks told The Narwhal he’s confident the pipeline will never be completed but the impacts of construction can’t be undone. “We’ve never agreed to this and we never will,” he said. “We’re doing our part to protect the planet, protect our land, Rights and Title, our humanity. And this is what we get.” Read more.
Site C’s Slippery Slope
From The Tyee: Newly obtained FOI documents raise questions about oversight of the troubled megaproject. Details on the swift approval by the only government office with the power to halt Site C’s construction because of safety concerns are contained in more than 8,000 pages of documents the provincial government released in response to a freedom of information request by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Read more.
Time is Running Out. We Must Call Out the Vested Interests Propelling the Climate Crisis
From The Guardian: It is not enough to professionally communicate the science of climate change. This is not a matter of rationality. I’d prefer activists to spray the headquarters of fossil fuel companies with fake blood, as Aids activists did in the offices of pharmaceutical companies in the 90s, than throw paint at famous artworks. Read more.
Weigh Anchor – the Route of a TMX Tanker
From Globe & Mail: B.C. and First Nations oppose it, Alberta wants it badly – and after an ultimatum from a U.S. oil giant, Ottawa has bought it to build it themselves. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion would bring billions in new revenue, but it would also mean an increase in coast-to-port tanker traffic, and with that, a risk of more oil spills. We follow a tanker as it threads the needle from Burnaby to the open ocean. Read more.
How Much of Canada’s Ongoing Climate Failure is Caused by Oil and Gas Industry Pollution?
From National Observer: Canada's failure to reduce climate pollution has left us far behind most of our peer nations. The primary cause of this failure has been surging emissions from our oil and gas industry. Unfortunately, it’s not the only Canadian sector with stubbornly rising emissions. Read more.
There is a Construction-Shaped Hole in Our Global Efforts to Combat Climate Change
From National Observer: One-seventh of the world’s carbon emissions are associated with building materials like steel, cement and aluminum. And globally, most companies that make these products are not on track to hit net-zero emissions by 2050. Read more.
Canada is Hosting the Largest Biodiversity Conference in the World. Here’s What’s at Stake
From The Narwhal: Thousands of people will soon converge on Montreal for the United Nations’ biodiversity conference, the world’s big chance to agree on a path forward to save nature — and ourselves. The world spends around $1.8 trillion a year to subsidize activities that harm nature, according to a report from coalitions of business and conservation groups focused on sustainability. Read more.
Canada’s LNG Export Dreams Could Leave B.C. Powerless to Pursue Other Opportunities
From Vancouver Sun: If LNG Canada’s Phase 2 expansion proceeds and uses electricity rather than natural gas for liquefaction (as it must to fit within the province’s climate targets), the electricity equivalent of three more Site Cs will be needed by 2040. Read more.
📹 Videos, Podcasts, Art & Creativity 🎨
Podcast: Greenwashing at COP27
From National Observer: A major climate meeting was held in Egypt, and the Global North — a.k.a. the richest countries in the world — were called on to show how they will help the Global South — a.k.a. the poorest countries that contribute little to the climate crisis — with climate solutions. They didn't get a passing grade. Nor did Canada's banks, which are among the world's biggest lenders to fossil fuel companies. Read more.
Every Sunday and Wednesday, 1-2pm - Stop TMX: Stoney Creek Salmon Tours
From Stop TMX: The salmon are running at Stoney Creek!! Come to witness this spectacle while supporting your local frontline and building community. Every Sunday and Wednesday, Protect the Planet offers educational tours highlighting the salmon run. Assemble at our camp, set up on the Burnaby Mountain Urban Trail, under Lougheed bridge. Approach from East Lake. Read more.
Monday November 28, 11am-12:30pm - The Drawdown Roadmap: Accelerating Action to Address the Climate Crisis
From Drawdown: In this game-changing webinar, Project Drawdown executive director Jon Foley presents research that points to which climate actions we should prioritize—across sectors, timescales, and geographies—to make the most of efforts to achieve drawdown. Register here.
Tuesday November 29, 9-10am - Re.Climate Launch
From Re.Climate: Calling all climate communicators, researchers, campaigners, learners, leaders and policy makers! Please join us for the launch of Re.Climate - Canada's new centre for training, research and strategy on climate change communication and engagement at Carleton University. We will introduce the Re.Climate team, share more about our programs, services and events, and discuss how to get involved. We hope to see you there! Register here.
From Keep Transit Moving: We invite you to this meeting of organizations working on transit and transportation to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration and movement building. The Keep Transit Moving Coalition is a pan-Canadian forum of rider advocates, environmental groups, and labour organizations. Register here.
Wednesday November 30, 7pm - Intergenerational Climate Organizing: A Space for Dialogue
From Future Ground: Environmental movements are fragmented along lines of age and generation. To work together constructively to tackle the climate crisis, we must practice listening to and learning from each other. Join us for an intergenerational dialogue to begin understanding and dissolving the boundaries that hold us back from harnessing true intergenerational power. Register here.
Tuesday January 24st and 31st, 10am-Noon - How To Talk To Anyone About Climate Change
From ElderCollege: Conversations about climate change can be challenging. This course will give you the tools you need, derived from experts in values research, storytelling and communications; we will learn how to talk about climate change as if it mattered to everyone. Patricia Lane has been studying effective climate communications since 2012 when she helped to found LeadNow. Online $23.33+GST. Register here.
Tuesday December 6, 4pm - Media training for bank campaigners
From For Our Kids: Looking for more media attention at your local actions? Want to start building relationships with journalists? Join us for a short media training to learn more about the media landscape and how to get your actions covered! Register here.
Thursday January 19 to Feb 16, 1pm-3pm - Climate Action Workshop
From ElderCollege: During this five-session workshop a wide range of solutions to global warming will be discussed. Participants will develop climate action plans for individuals, family and friends, community, and/or policy levels. Expect to meet with people who are curious and caring, who roll up their sleeves to take action to heal our precious planet. $39.05+GST Online Register here
February 7-10 - SUMMIT 2023 A Local Climate Leaders Collaborative
From Climate Caucus: This important annual event brings together local elected leaders from urban and rural communities across Canada to workshop practical local climate solutions. Register here.
👷🏽♀️ Jobs, Opportunities & Grants💰
Climate Justice Study Group - by Nov 27th
Monthly study and discussion sessions, guided by the overarching questions: what is climate justice? The Climate Justice Study Collective (CJSC) intends to build connections, reflection and strategizing among climate justice activists and practitioners within and outside of UBC and SFU. The Study Collective will run from January to June 2023 and is supported by a $3500 honorarium for the term. Details here.
Become An Indigenous Clean Energy Catalyst – by November 30
From ICE: We accept 20 participants per year into the Program. If you are interested in applying to the 2023 program, take a moment to join the ICE Network, participate in our monthly ICE Power Hour and complete the application form here.
Call for Environmental Law Centre Applications - By December 1
From UVic ELC: The Environmental Law Centre is a non-profit society that operates at the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law. Operating under the supervision of a senior lawyer, ELC Clinic students provide legal representation and legal assistance to community/conservation groups and First Nations; produce citizen handbooks and other public legal education materials; and advocate on a wide range of environmental law reform issues. Interested in having the ELC Clinic tackle your public interest environmental law issue? Learn how we select cases and what you need to do for us to consider your case. Read more.
The EcoForestry Institute Seeks a Dynamic and Passionate Executive Director - By December 1
Are you that unique and passionate person who is qualified to move the Ecoforestry Institute Society into our next chapter? We’re looking for an individual who is fierce about protecting the environment, who can morph the Board’s strategic direction into operational initiatives, who is a quick learner, agile, inclusive, and a great team player. This is your time to shine! Apply here.
Join Coop Housing Federation’s BC’s Climate Emergency Task Force - By December 5th
From CHF: We’re looking for co-op members who are keen to get involved. By working together, we can do our part to ensure our housing co-op communities adapt and thrive. Read more.
Engagement Producer for Dr. Britt Wray’s Mental Health and Climate Change Project
As the engagement producer for Dr Wray’s public communication efforts, it will be your top priority to create and disseminate thought provoking, well written, visually appealing, and scientifically credible content for several platforms. Full-time, remote, preferably west coast. Details here.
Executive Assistant for Dr. Britt Wray’s Mental health and Climate Change Project
As the executive assistant to Dr Wray, it will be your top priority to help Dr Wray navigate the high demands on her time that stem from her multiple roles at the forefront of climate change and mental health. 4 days/week, remote, preferably west coast. Details here.
Climate Transition Cohort – New Intake, Apply Here
From Tamarack: Our Community Climate Transitions team is launching the second Climate Transitions Cohort––and you're invited to apply. The Cohort is a unique opportunity for communities across Canada to learn from some of the most promising emerging solutions and collaborative governance innovations, and to build or advance a climate action plan unique to your local needs. Read more.
Living Oceans Society Communications Manager - By December 12
Living Oceans has been working to protect the health of oceans and coastal communities since 1998. We pride ourselves on developing sound policy options based in science and communicating them clearly to policy makers and the general public; on raising awareness where it's needed most; and advancing our solutions collaboratively. We seek an experienced communications manager to fill a one-year contract position, starting in December.
Indigenous Resilience Fund
From Community Foundations: Any Indigenous-led organization working to foster resilience in Inuit, Metis and First Nations communities anywhere in Canada can apply for resiliency support ranging from $5,000 to $30,000. Learn more here.
Schools Environmental Action Conference - Call for Speakers, Workshops
From the Independent Schools Association of British Columbia: We are planning an Environmental Education Conference on February 24th 2023, at UBC, in person. We are looking for keynote speakers, organizations or individuals who might be interested to offer a session focusing on inspiring actions for students. Roughly 200 students are anticipated to attend the conference. We are looking for hands-on experience that can inspire students to make change in their schools and communities. Contact Mark Frank, Department Head of Science at Fraser Academy, mfrank@fraseracademy.ca.
Communication Director - Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
From the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty: We are seeking an experienced and strategic communication director to lead the communication effort and team for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Full-time, remote. Read more.
We Help You Find a Way to Work on Climate
From Work on Climate: We are an action-oriented Slack community for people serious about climate work. Find climate jobs. Build climate companies. Find your people. 10,000+ members. Join the community. Share your journey, find collaborators, and celebrate each other's wins. Explore our programs. Find the right community offering for where you are on your path. Meet climate experts. Drop in to meet our friendly climate experts during regular office hours. Read more.
Graduate Student Opportunities
From the Climate Research Lab at SFU: We are seeking Master’s and Doctoral students interested in pursuing research in the areas listed on the Research site. Inquiries are welcomed from students of a variety of science backgrounds, including atmospheric science, oceanography, earth science, physical geography, physics or related disciplines. Read more.
From CleanBC: A simpler way for local governments and Indigenous communities to find funding for their climate action projects. Maybe you’re a grant writer looking for funding to add heat pumps to a community building. Or a mayor preparing your town to cope with future wildfires. Or a sustainability manager implementing active transportation projects. Read more.
Work to Grow
Created in partnership with Parks Canada, Work to Grow connects Black, Indigenous and other racialized youth to jobs that promote or protect nature and offers funds of up to 50% of wages for individuals employed through the program. We’re looking for partners offering meaningful work for the next generation of nature lovers. There’s still time for organizations to get involved for the Fall and Winter terms! Do you know an organization or youth that could benefit? Read more.
From Indigenous Climate Action: Indigenous Youth who have been engaged in climate justice organizing or frontline activism can apply to help alleviate financial pressure while trying to prioritize their wellness. $250 financial award. Read more.
