Caption: John Bennett, executive director of the Climate Action Network, presents the Winnipeg workshop. Photo courtesy Mb. Wildlands Caption: John Bennett, executive director of the Climate Action Network, presents the Winnipeg workshop. Photo courtesy Mb. Wildlands
Eco-Journal, v.16.4, September/October 2006
By Abby Penner, Manitoba Wildlands
Manitoba Wildlands hosted the Winnipeg stop of the Climate Action Network/Réseau Action Climat Canada (CAN-RAC) national tour on September 18, 2006. In a frustrated response to the lack of public consultation or input for the federal government's environmental plan, CAN-RAC snaked their way across Canada with a series of 25 climate focused workshops to ask what Canadians want in their Kyoto-Climate Crisis plan.
A demand for more regulation (of pollutants and green house gases) under Canada's Climate Change Plan was central to Winnipeg participants' comments. Brainstormed strategies focused on support at the community level for behaviour changes, and to solidify action in legislation. There was a common understanding of fostering lifestyle change and pressuring government to include emission reduction, and regulate green house gases through the Canadian Environment Protection Act (CEPA).
CAN-RAC hopes that workshop feedback from Canadians will be influential in Ottawa and evident in the federal government plan, expected to be released in October. John Bennett, executive director of the network, who facilitates the workshops, claims "With Environment Canada downgrading action on climate change, Stephen Harper's government creating a made in Canada plan, and the Liberal leadership candidates announcing their plans for action on climate change, we feel this is a perfect opportunity to hear what the public wants to do about the climate crisis."
Winnipeg participants from industry, First Nations, business, government, academia and environmental groups identified current climate effects. Shorter seasons for winter roads, stress on agriculture with reduced water resources, and more severe storms are already occurring. One participant involved in the greenhouse business notes that he has to vent his green houses earlier in the season than ever before because of increased temperatures in the winter and more direct sunlight earlier in the calendar year.
Caption: In attendance were people from the business sector, government, environmental groups, academia, First Nations and Manitoba Hydro. Photo courtesy of Manitoba Wildlands
The government of Canada needs to provide a national strategy in clear and simple terminology, linking clean water, clean air and climate change actions. "We can all agree to change but we are not prepared, we need to be told how to enforce it" commented one participant. The workshop focused on generating ideas from participants about what should be included in Canada's Climate Change Plan, which included:
• Stop subsidizing energy production from fossil fuels
• Investing in retrofitting, alternative energy sources like wind power, and rail systems
• Carbon emission credit trading for industry
• Regulate efficiency standards for cars, buildings, and industry
• Include First Nations—living in harmony with nature is part of their culture
• Encourage new renewable energy technology right through to production
• Sharing and acknowledging success stories
• Valuing and keeping intact the carbon stored in our natural systems.
Public education and social marketing is needed to shift Canadian behaviour. Recognizing and rewarding successes of individuals, companies and communities that are fostering change will motivate Canadians. The media needs to cover the climate change news on a community basis. We need to convince corporations to become leaders in Canada, including for economic gains from best practices.
Many at the workshop agreed that voluntary measures will not be enough and that retrofitting and technology development must be mandatory and emissions standards regulated. It was generally thought that regulations will be the motivation for change and Canadians will learn to adapt.
Cleaner industry also means a cleaner environment. By conserving our natural areas, forests, and wetlands we will preserve natural carbon sinks. Various participants commented on the possibilities for fighting climate change with nature.
Climate Action Network members in Manitoba are Resource Conservation Manitoba, and Manitoba Wildlands. Climate Action Network Canada has 120 member organizations and is part of Climate Action Network International. To follow the Climate Tour online, read workshop summaries, or the national synthesis, go to www.climatetour.ca. The CAN-RAC address is www.climateactionnetwork.ca.