During the COP17 talks on climate change in Durban, South Africa, Canada would only say that it was not prepared to commit to a second commitment period within the Kyoto Protocol. Our negotiators said that they had no reason to believe that Canada was preparing to withdraw entirely from Kyoto. Then, as soon as the delegation arrived home, Canada announced its withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. So were there any signs of hope in the UN process in Durban, and is there any chance for environmental objectives to be meaningfully advanced as a result? Read more »
Many leaders of faith communities see climate change as a moral issue. Global warming affects major questions such as humanity’s relationship with nature and each other, solidarity with the poor, and the possibilities for future generations. So when media outlets suggest that faith leaders who challenge certain policies should “shut their trap,” rather than debating the content of the moral message, the public discourse is diminished. Read more »
By Shana Conroy | Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 - 3:20PM
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The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place in Durban, South Africa, has begun! There, leaders will discuss progress in dealing with climate change, and negotiate a new international agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires this year. Canada’s Minister of the Environment travels to Durban next week.
CPJ created a petition based upon the Canadian Interfaith Call for Leadership and Action on Climate Change. It highlights CPJ’s value for the Earth and the importance of creation care. We hope to have many signed petitions tabled in the House of Commons during COP17 (November 28 – December 9, 2011). Take a look at comments from CPJ supporters who have already taken up the petition in their communities. Read more »
Our earth is not healing itself as fast as we’re hurting it. But Canada doesn’t seem too concerned about our own role in climate change: we’ve won the Colossal Fossil award four years in a row.
Canadians are currently debating a range of issues related to the environment, including how we can best respond to climate change. We need our politicians to engage on these questions too, and provide effective care for the earth. Read more »
On the afternoon of November 16th, I found myself waiting to meet Senator Grant Mitchell, sponsor of a climate change bill. But then the bells started ringing, calling members into the Chamber for a vote. All at once, my meeting was cancelled and the Climate Change Accountability Act went down to defeat by a tally of 43 to 32. The Senate had dealt the global environment a massive blow – without even debating the legislation before it.
It was not surprising, then, that there was little expectation of a positive outcome from the conference in Cancun, Mexico, November 29 - December 10, 2010. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 - 9:45AM
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Today, April 22, is Earth Day. Initiated by US Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 as a national movement for education and promotion of environmental care, Earth Day eventually was recognized and is now celebrated around the world.
The first International Earth Day was held in 1990, with over 140 countries joining the movement. Today, with over 170 countries involved, Earth Day is one of the biggest movements in the world in terms of global environmental education and action. Read more »
“There. It’s 8:30 p.m. Turn out the lights and settle down.” This might sound like you’re trying to get the kids to bed. Be assured; on March 27th you won’t want them to go to sleep quite yet! Not, that is, if you are among the millions of people around the globe who will be celebrating Earth Hour. Read more »
Controversy swirls as world leaders prepare to gather in Copenhagen for the UN Climate Change Summit. Global warming caused by human action is still denied by some, while others perceive it to be the defining issue of our age. How are we to know what to believe? For CPJ members, a public justice framing of the complexities of climate change yields some helpful perspectives. Read more »
By Mariel Angus | Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 - 10:27AM
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The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States last Tuesday was a historical event, and has in many ways ushered in a new era of relations between Canada and the U.S. This was evident only the day after the election, when Ottawa announced its intention to seek a climate-change pact with our American neighbours. Read more »
Despite claims that environmental reforms will harm Canada’s economy, it is evident that Canada could implement reforms that benefit both the economy and the environment. Through ecological fiscal reforms, like those implemented in Sweden, the government could ensure economic stability while also protecting the environment. Read more »
During the COP17 talks on climate change in Durban, South Africa, Canada would only say that it was not prepared to commit to a second commitment period within the Kyoto Protocol. Our negotiators said that they had no reason to believe that Canada was preparing to withdraw entirely from Kyoto. Then, as soon as the delegation arrived home, Canada announced its withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. So were there any signs of hope in the UN process in Durban, and is there any chance for environmental objectives to be meaningfully advanced as a result? 
Many leaders of faith communities see climate change as a moral issue. Global warming affects major questions such as humanity’s relationship with nature and each other, solidarity with the poor, and the possibilities for future generations. So when media outlets suggest that faith leaders who challenge certain policies should “shut their trap,” rather than debating the content of the moral message, the public discourse is diminished. 
Controversy swirls as world leaders prepare to gather in Copenhagen for the UN Climate Change Summit. Global warming caused by human action is still denied by some, while others perceive it to be the defining issue of our age. How are we to know what to believe? For CPJ members, a public justice framing of the complexities of climate change yields some helpful perspectives. 
