Jane Weixl
Focus on Climate
Project Drawdown’s world-class network of scientists, researchers, and fellows aim to help the world stop climate change, as quickly, safely and equitably as possible.
Project Drawdown is advancing effective, science-based climate solutions and strategies, by informing, inspiring, and empowering business leaders, investors, and philanthropists to bold new climate leadership, and by shifting t he conversation about climate change from “doom and gloom” to “possibility and opportunity.”
Scientific analyses shows that the world can reach drawdown, the point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. This can be done by mid-century if we make the best use of all existing, measurable and financially viable climate solutions. Each of Project Drawdown’s solutions reduces greenhouse gases by avoiding emissions and/or sequestering carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere.
Many of these solutions will be familiar to you – replacing refrigerant chemicals, solar power, reduced food waste, plant rich diets, family planning and education, wind turbines, and tropical forest restoration. There are many more solutions (see https://drawdown.org/). As well, these solutions will improve human health and equity.
In November 2022, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released a study that detailed the financial cost of the 2021 heat dome, wildfires, widespread flooding and landslides. Those extreme weather events are estimated to have cost B.C.’s economy between $11 billion and $17 billion. Most people understand we can no longer afford to delay taking significant and sustainable climate action.
The climate crisis affects us all, and some are much more vulnerable than others.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, notes that among the most vulnerable communities in the province are First Nation communities.
“An overwhelming number of First Nations are not properly resourced to prepare for climate change disasters and adequately protect their communities, despite passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which upholds self-determination,” Phillips said.
“This underscores the dire importance of making our communities less vulnerable to climate change and making every effort to prevent warming in the first place. We must immediately stop any further expansion of fossil fuel extraction including fracking to extract natural gas for LNG (liquefied natural gas). There is no time to waste.”
The impacts of our changing climate continue to threaten our health, our environment and our economy.
We must reduce emissions, work to draw down atmospheric carbon and build stronger, more resilient communities that provide jobs in the new, low-carbon economy.
Those are the jobs of the future. We can also cut down on waste. By working together we can create a safer and more secure future for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
Project Drawdown has already shown us how to do it. Let’s get our government(s) on board and get moving!
Jane Weixl is with Climate Action Now! North Okanagan
