‘Everything everywhere, all at once’
‘Everything everywhere, all at once’
NEWSLETTER, March 2023—IPCC Report says we need to accelerate now; Vote for Climate campaign; UN Water Conference; new Ocean Biodiversity Treaty; finance news & 5 new laser talks.
The climate is changing. Impacts of climate disruption are happening in communities around the planet, every day. Costs are rapidly accumulating, and vulnerability is spreading. The latest science says we are falling behind; indeed, this is our last chance to get up to speed on the fast-moving universal work needed to avoid spiraling climate emergency. As the United Nations Secretary-General reminds us: we need to reduce climate risk and act sustainably, through “everything everywhere, all at once”.
SCIENCE
IPCC Synthesis Report finds: This is our last chance to defuse the climate time-bomb
The Synthesis Report for the 6th Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change finds that to avoid breaching the 1.5ºC upper limit for global heating—and so to avoid spiraling climate emergency—we need industrialized countries to achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by 2040.
That is a significant acceleration of the timetable for the most polluting economies, and the clearest signal yet that future health, safety, and value creation, are all contingent on a rapid transformation of industrial systems. What is clear is that, with this updated baseline of evidence, climate action ambition everywhere needs to go mainstream much faster, become an everyday reality for everyone, and achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible.
CIVICS
Vote for Climate campaign reaches millions across Nigeria
After historic floods and spreading climate impacts, Citizens’ Climate International volunteers in Nigeria worked with the Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation and other Civil Society Organisations, on the Vote for Climate campaign—to raise awareness and bring climate issues into the mainstream policy discussion during the 2023 round of national elections.
The Vote for Climate campaign worked tirelessly for 4 months to educate the electorate on the need to vote for candidates with clear climate action plans. The campaign ultimately reached 9 million people overall, including 10,000 through in-person events and hundreds of thousands more through media engagements.
DIPLOMACY
New ocean treaty will safeguard biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction
On Saturday, March 4, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, two decades of negotiations culminated in the first global agreement to protect and conserve biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ). In other words, international law now aims to protect life on “the high seas”—areas of ocean more than 200 miles from shore.
The BBNJ Agreement is a critical breakthrough for ocean conservation and for our climate future, because without sufficiently robust and permanent protection of life on the high seas — which cover half the surface of the planet and comprise the majority of the volume of the global ocean — we cannot expect to succeed in averting catastrophic climate disruption.
United Nations Water Conference
Citizens’ Climate volunteers from Colombia and Mexico joined the United Nations Water Conference from March 22 to 24 at UN Headquarters in New York. They participated in more than 25 side events, 5 interactive dialogues and plenaries during the three-day conference.
The Conference secured at least 708 action commitments and included a number of major announcements to deliver progress on a global action agenda:
The launching of the Water Academy for sustainable management practices for communities worldwide.
The Global Water Assessment as an initiative and opportunity to join forces, improve technology-based data collecting, identify gaps and priorities, and support decision-making processes.
Strengthening an International fund for financing water-related conservation programs.
Appointment of the Special envoy for water.
FINANCE
Shifting financial flows—CCL Canada’s largest-ever online training
On March 21, over 70 people attended an online discussion with Canadian Senator Rosa Galvez. By the end of March, more than 50 people have watched it online. We must shift trillions of dollars of private sector finance quickly and methodically away from fossil fuels. To learn how this can happen, to give us a chance to act on climate at the speed and scale needed, while creating an inclusive economy of sustainable prosperity, take a few minutes to view the training.
Wire non-market climate action data to reveal investable opportunities
Integration of data systems, to allow insights to move smoothly across technologies, industries, timescales, can support climate-smart food systems that improve health and fiscal stability.
The Good Food Finance Network has issued a policy insight brief on the transformational linkages between integrated data systems for food systems finance decision-making and non-market approaches under Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement. Below is a condensed version of that brief.
CARBON PRICING
Two more countries enact carbon pricing policies to steer climate transition
Two more countries are pricing pollution.
Japan’s new pollution pricing scheme will be phased in from April.
Australia's first ever price on carbon will come into effect in July.
This means that 49 countries now have carbon pricing.
Carbon pricing can be achieved through a variety of policy options—including emissions trading, carbon taxes, and climate income.
LASER TALKS
New laser talks offer insight on science, Antarctica, energy tech & rights
Laser talks are short, crisp looks at a topic, which are intended to help advocates integrate clear thinking and focused language about that topic into conversations as needed. We are introducing five new laser talks for the month ahead:
IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report
New Antarctica data
CCI’s Position on CCS
CCI’s Stance on Nuclear
Our Rights and a Livable World
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers mark key breakthroughs in Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Canada & Mexico
Citizens’ Climate International volunteers are developing their chapters, building momentum for policy breakthroughs, and supporting more engaged climate civics through high-level advisory groups and conferences that engage stakeholders, communities, and young people.
CCI volunteers in Ghana were featured on TV, to share their story of advocacy and civic leadership.
CCI volunteers in Nairobi, Kenya, and Harare, Zimbabwe, joined a Climate Advocate Training and launched new chapters
Lyn Adamson—a member of the CCL Toronto Downtown chapter since November 2010—has been named chair of the Climate Advisory Group for the City of Toronto.
Volunteers are supporting a Local Conference of Youth initiative, where youth will gather to propose climate solutions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Consultations for North Americans
It’s been really exciting to see momentum for the Treaty building in North America thanks to Climate Action Network and CCL member initiatives. We look forward to seeing many of you on April 6th!
CIRCA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023
The Newly Rebranded Get To Know Us Calls
Our members have been busy behind the scenes at the G7 and World Bank. In April join us circa the 3rd Wednesday of the month and find out how you can help push trillions of dollars towards a thriving and equitable planet. There are three convenient times to choose from.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023
Global Talanoa Dialogue for Climate Ambition
Talanoa is a traditional word used in Fiji and across the Pacific to reflect a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. The purpose of Talanoa is to share stories, build empathy and to make wise decisions for the collective good. The process of Talanoa involves the sharing of ideas, skills and experience through storytelling. Join us and listen to the fierce storytelling from around the world on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 8 am EDT / noon UTC.
