Sharon Roling

Woodworking unions and environmentalists propose bold new plan to protect forests and jobs while fighting climate change

Forest industry unions and top environmental groups proposed a plan for the BC government to conserve more forest, reduce wood waste, and promote the wise use of forest products, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report “Managing BC’s Forests for a Cooler Planet: Carbon Storage, Sustainable Jobs and Conservation” was released today and is expected to give BC a leadership role in finding the sustainable solutions that were needed during the Copenhagen climate negotiations. Read the full news release on the CCPA website.

Beyond Copenhagen: what kind of bottom-up climate activism do we need?

In the wake of failed climate negotiations in Copenhagen, more people are looking to bottom-up approaches to climate activism. However, these small-scale contributions will not be enough to successfully address global climate change. The poor nations, who are the true victims of climate change, should propose the international framework necessary to target this global problem. Read the full story in OpenDemocracy.

Climate change scepticism will increase hardship for world’s poor: IPCC chief

Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the IPCC, warns that climate change skepticism will increase hardships for the world’s poor. Climate change skepticism is expected to increase in 2010, particularly in the U.S. and Australia. Allowing skeptics to delay climate change action will only exacerbate the impacts of climate change, particularly in developing countries. Read the full story in The Guardian.

Study forecasts 9m sea-level rise if temperatures meet 2C threshold

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.

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.

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.

European and US Cities Sign Stockholm Appeal Urging World Cooperation at COP15

Mayors of the largest European and American cities co-authored a mutual appeal to show their desire for the U.N.’s COP 15 meeting in Copenhagen to result in a global climate change agreement. The appeal, called the "Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change", recognizes that mayoral leadership in a primary impetus in climate protection. Read the full story in PR Newswire.