Unchecked climate change threatens security of people & nations.
Unchecked climate change threatens security of people & nations.
NEWSLETTER, August 2022—Pakistan suffers horrific flooding; CCI leader wins prestigious award; new US law creates fiscal space for climate action; more Canadians get climate income payments...
Climate vulnerability is spreading, and getting worse. While the world struggles to design and activate strategies for rapid elimination of global heating pollution, climate impacts are intensifying, happening more frequently, and affecting more people in more diverse circumstances. The compounding costs of unchecked climate disruption are rapidly piling up, creating new threats to fiscal health and resilience of nation states, regions, and international institutions.
Pakistan is suffering horrific climate impacts.
“Pakistan is awash in suffering,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, as he launched a major push for emergency humanitarian and disaster recovery aid in Islamabad and Geneva. Guterres’ press office described the situation as an “unprecedented climate catastrophe.” So far, reporting finds:
1,136 people are confirmed dead;
33 million people have been affected by the floods;
1 million homes have been destroyed;
500,000 people are sheltering in camps;
An estimated 800,000 livestock have perished;
The floods have caused more than $10 billion in damage—roughly 3% of Pakistan’s GDP.
Muhammad Raza Qazi—a citizen volunteer climate advocate in Pakistan who is personally involved in relief efforts—reports the floods are causing damage on a scale not seen in living memory, with millions rendered homeless, nearly a million livestock lost and millions of acres of crops swept away and destroyed. “There is a massive scale food crisis looming,” he writes. He asks for immediate assistance to the people affected and calls on world governments to take urgent action to hold global heating to no more than 1.5ºC.
The World Food Programme is working to address immediate food supply disruptions, aiming to support 500,000 people in the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh;
The World Health Organization warns of a wide array of significant health risks, including as a result of 900 healthcare facilities being damaged;
The 2021 Global Climate Risk Index lists Pakistan as one of the 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events.
The catastrophic flooding comes on top of a devastating heat wave earlier this year. The new round of extreme climate impacts not only adds to the cost and vulnerability; it compounds both and undermines overall resilience, even as global heating intensifies and impacts become more frequent and more costly.
Cedric Dzelu, CCI volunteer leader in Ghana, recognized for outstanding youth service & climate leadership
Cedric Dzelu, a CCI volunteer leader in Ghana, received the Young Africa Role Model Award, on August 28, 2022, for his leadership in Youth Development and Climate Change Advocacy. The prestigious award was conferred by the Young Professionals and Youth Coalition and was presented by the Ashanti King His Royal Majesty Otumfou Osei Tutu II:
“in recognition of … outstanding youth service leadership and excellence in Climate change advocacy practice and industry in the restoration of the ecology … [and] in youth development, sports administration and climate change advocacy in helping protect our climate, forest cover and water bodies, representing a symbol hope for the future.”
United States climate law creates ‘fiscal space’ model other nations can follow
The climate provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 leverage a whole-of-government approach and act on economy-shaping issues of health and vulnerability, to create fiscal space, consolidate climate signals, and create incentives for climate-smart trade. The new law reconfigures supply chain incentives, supports critical international security benefits, and invests more to drive the U.S. toward a transition to a clean economy than any legislation before it.
CCI will work in alliance with advocates seeking to eliminate harm and direct investment to front-line and underserved communities, and we will work to accelerate climate cooperation internationally, including actions to create new fiscal space for climate-resilient development.
Nova Scotians to Receive Climate Action Incentive Cheques in 2023
Nova Scotians will now be under the Federal Carbon Pollution Pricing program after Premier Houston's plea was rejected. This means they will begin receiving Climate Action Incentive cheques in 2023.
Joanne Light, long time CCL Canada volunteer and founder of CCL Halifax and currently in Annapolis Valley, blasted an email to all those who worked with her since 2011 saying, “We finally triumphed! Let's all give ourselves a teary and triumphant pat on the back for our part in this.” Current CCL Halifax leader Brian Cho upon hearing the news said, “Looks like NS is being dragged into an actually robust climate policy.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
#GenClimateAction in Ontario finally going to trial
September 12-14, 2022
Sophia, Zoe, Shaelyn, Shelby, Alex, Madison, and Beze — represented by Ecojustice lawyers — are going to the Ontario Superior Court on September 12–14. They're suing the Ontario government because its weakened climate target violates the constitutional right to life, liberty, and security of every person in Ontario.
Two of the plaintiffs are CCLers: Sophia Mathur has been lobbying with us since she was seven years old, and Alex Neufelt is our CCL leader in the National Capital Region.
This case is a Canadian first. You can read about their journey to the full hearing here.
More than 14,000 people have already signed to show they believe this case is in the public interest. You can sign too, from anywhere in the world.
The young people of #GenClimateAction plan to rally in downtown Toronto, on Sunday, September 11, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.
CCL Inclusion Conference
September 16-17, 2022
Climate change impacts all life, but especially people in frontline communities, who are left out of important conversations about taking climate action. Our first diversity and inclusion virtual conference will bring individuals from all backgrounds together in unity, community, and trust. Join the conference to form connections with fellow climate advocates and walk away with tools of empowerment and confidence.
CCI's Informational Calls for September
September 21, 2022
All around the world it is evident that we are deep in the climate emergency. The key is not to panic. We have to trust that the work of countless good people over the past 30 years has laid down a foundation. Major decisions were made at the G7 and UNFCCC in June. Now what?
Join us in September and October and find out more, about what your teammates across the CCI network are doing, and how you as volunteer climate policy advocates can act to build political will for a livable climate future. There are three convenient time to choose from.
Traité de non-prolifération des combustibles fossiles
21 septembre 2022
Êtes-vous intéressé par des initiatives visant à éliminer les combustibles fossiles ? Vous êtes au bon endroit ! CCI Groupe Francophone organise un événement qui va expliquer le traité de non-prolifération des combustibles fossiles. Venez découvrir comment vous pouvez vous impliquer dans ce mouvement, auprès de votre ville et des parlementaires.
