Author:

Climate Emergency Unit

This is an excellent effort to both mobilize people and to give us hope, much like Seth Klein's book, The Good War. I don't think it will convince the national leaders in North America, but it may well convince legions of regular folks, and we can then organize ourselves and mount joint actions that will compel the leaders to do what must be done.

-- Gene McGuckin

Welcome, , to the second newsletter of the Climate Emergency Unit! We’ve been overwhelmed by inquiries and requests since launching our unit just over a month ago. We’re doing our best to keep up. The enthusiastic response has been energizing. Some initial campaigns are in the works - stay tuned for details

In this newsletter we’re inviting you to join the launch of our (CEU’s) first video, sharing some of my (Seth’s) recent columns, and encouraging you to support some climate emergency level mobilization campaigns from our allies

In solidarity,

Seth

Help us launch our video!

Next Wednesday, June 23rd we will be launching our first video. This six-and-a-half-minute-long, hopeful video explains our four markers of an emergency level response from governments and institutions.

What: The Launch of CEU’s video “4 Hopeful Lessons from WW2 to Confront Climate Change”

Who: David Suzuki, Seth Klein, Climate Emergency Unit, the video’s creative team

When: Wed, June 23 at 12:30pm PST / 3:30pm EST / 4:30PM AST

Where: Zoom Webinar (but register below)

REGISTER for video launch

[Date passed - see video on Facebook - link below]

Campaigns of note

Petition the CBC to tell the truth

The CBC served a vital role during World War II. It was a source of facts and inspiration with daily broadcasts keeping Canadians informed and ensuring that focus was maintained on the war effort. It is now playing a critical role in the fight against COVID-19. It could do the same for climate change.

Sign the petition

E-mail the BC Government: No more fossil fuel subsidies

In BC, fossil fuel subsidies have DOUBLED since John Horgan became premier. Last year that meant $1.3B in handouts – more than what was spent fighting climate change. Our friends at Stand.earth have released a report on the subject, and set up a handy webpage where you can email your objections to the BC government.

Send a letter

Recent columns

The Case for a Youth Climate Corp in Canada

The climate mobilization in Canada has yet to feel like a grand societal undertaking. Among the bold initiatives that would send such a signal — an audacious Youth Climate Corps.

Read the piece

Time to stop playing nice with fossil fuel companies

Among the many barriers we face to a genuine climate emergency plan is a fossil fuel industry that has insidiously used its economic and political power to stall meaningful action. In this piece, Seth describes how the “natural” gas industry is making mischief with needed climate action.

Read the piece

Friends, the last few days have also seen some important “wins” for the climate mobilization. After years of political insiders and pundits insisting that the Keystone XL pipeline was a “no brainer” and a “done deal,” the project is officially dead. Last week, climate activists in Vancouver staved-off an industry-backed effort to delay, by at least a year, Vancouver’s implementation of its gas-ban for new buildings; after dozens of speakers and hundreds of emails defended the city’s climate emergency plan, Vancouver city council voted 6-5 to proceed with its ambitious zero-emission new building timeline as planned. And on Southern Vancouver Island, where some of the last stands of extraordinary carbon-storing old growth forests reside, after about 200 arrests of forest defenders engaged in civil disobedience, and after the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations asked the province to defer logging for two years in the Fairy Creek and Central Walbran areas, last Wednesday, Premier John Horgan agreed to spare roughly 2,000 hectares of forest. That still leaves many other areas of ancient trees at imminent risk, so protestors vow to fight on. But it’s good to appreciate small victories in this task of our lives.

Take good care,

The Climate Emergency Unit