A new study predicts that global sea levels could rise by up to 9 metres in the coming centuries, even if the world manages to keep temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Previous studies underestimated sea level rise because they failed to account for accelerated ice sheet melting. The 2 degree figure is likely to be adopted as the threshold to be avoided during the U.N. climate negotiations in Copenhagen. Read the full story in The Guardian.
Month: December 2009
In Copenhagen, the New Radicals
Jamie Biggar is a student at the University of Victoria and member of the Canada Youth Delegation. She attended the climate change conference in Copenhagen, and wrote a letter to environmental law professor Michael M’Gonigle regarding her experiences and insights. Read the full letter in The Tyee.
Naomi Klein speaking at Copenhagen Klima Forum 09 panel on ecological debt and climate justice
Author and journalist Naomi Klein spoke at the Copenhagen Klima Forum on ecological debt. Watch the video segment or read the transcript at Democracy Now!.
CIEL Community Sustainability Matrix
- The Communities Matrix is a free one page graphic representation of four phases of community development. It has been used on every continent (except Antarctica) as a starting place in communities.
Tar Sands and a Tough Business Lobby Pull Ottawa Far from Copenhagen
Stephen Harper consistently maintains that climate change action cannot, and will not, stand in the way of Canada’s economic growth. Harper’s continued ignorance in climate change negotiations reminds us that his position is deeply influenced in the conservative, profit-driven mindset of oil and gas industries in Alberta. Read the full story at The Center for Public Integrity.
Green jobs for all
The recent surge in climate change activism is drawing anger from Albertan and federal politicians, who want to exploit the Alberta oilsands in spite of the environmental cost. They argue that committing to climate change action will cut employment, but in reality it may actually expand the job market. Read the full story in The Toronto Star.
George Monbiot: Dear Canada, Please clean up your act
Canada’s global reputation has been tarnished by its exploitation of the oilsands and failure to uphold responsibilities to the Kyoto Protocol. Canadian representatives and politicians are seemingly trying to delay a potential international climate change agreement from being reached at Copenhagen. Read the full story in The Globe and Mail.