BREAKING: Devastating Impacts, Affordable Climate Solutions
Drive IPCC’s Urgent Call for Action
March 20, 2023 – the Energy Mix
A stark choice between climate stability and global devastation is the constant drumbeat from a landmark report released today by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“The choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for thousands of years,” the UN agency states in its Sixth Assessment Report, a final synthesis that brings together six in-depth science and policy reports dating back to October, 2018.
Climate groups in Parry Sound Muskoka sit down face to face with MPP Graydon Smith
Jan 26, 2023 – Media Release
The four representatives from Climate Action Muskoka (CAM), Almaguin Climate Action (ACA), and Climate Action Parry Sound (CAPS) reminded the Minister, that they represent constituents from all over the riding. They raised concerns about Bill 23’s impact on delivery of municipal Climate Action Plans; the importance of “protecting what protects us” through preservation of wetland systems, forest ecosystems, natural infrastructure; and the importance of shoreline site control protections to the future of our lakes and our drinking water.
Notes from Meeting with Graydon Smith
Ever wanted to know what is actually said in meetings with politicians? Here are the notes from the meeting between Ontario Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry and Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith and representatives from several climate action groups, at Minister Smith’s Bracebridge office, Jan. 19, 2023.
Ontario fulfills pledge to strip conservation authorities’ powers
Jan 19, 2023 – The Narwhal
…The government sent two letters, one from Natural Resources Minister Graydon Smith, to city officials around 6 p.m. on Dec. 28, while the offices of city councils and conservation authorities were largely shuttered for the holiday break. The letters fulfilled changes outlined in last fall’s Bill 23, or the More Homes Built Faster Act, quicker than most expected, removing many powers and financial tools conservation authorities use to oversee and protect vital watersheds.
Ontario integrity commissioner, auditor general to launch Greenbelt investigations
Jan 18, 2023 – Toronto Star
Ontario’s integrity commissioner and auditor general both announced Wednesday that they would conduct separate investigations into the government’s decision to open protected Greenbelt lands up to housing development. Read Toronto Star story. (If this link requires a subscription, try your Muskoka Region / TorStar login.)
From The Narwhal: More fallout over Ontario’s environmental cuts, as watchdogs launch Greenbelt investigations. Read story.
FYI – Natural gas is primarily methane. In addition, various amounts of higher alkanes and low levels of trace gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and helium are present.
Read more about Gas Expansion projects in Muskoka.
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Warning: This is not the good news department
Governments Spent Record $1 Trillion Last Year Subsidizing Fossil Fuels
Feb 16, 2023 – Bloomberg –
Even as global governments raise their ambitions to cut fossil fuels in the future, they spent a record $1 trillion last year subsidizing energy
Exxon scientists in the 1970s accurately predicted climate change – Jan 12 2023 – NewScientist – Exxon scientists accurately predicted the pace and scale of climate change more than 40 years ago, according to a study that its authors say adds weight to claims the oil firm knew about and sought to downplay the risks posed by continued fossil fuel use.
Atmospheric levels of all three greenhouse gases hit record high – Oct 26, 2022 – The Guardian – Scientists warn world ‘is heading in wrong direction’ amid rise in nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane
Fossils, Fertilizers, and False Solutions: How Laundering Fossil Fuels in Agrochemicals Puts the Climate and the Planet at Risk – Oct 2022 -CIEL – Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides are fossil fuels in another form … an underrecognized but significant driver of the climate crisis.
World on brink of five ‘disastrous’ climate tipping points, study finds -Sept 8, 2022 – The Guardian – Giant ice sheets, ocean currents and permafrost regions may already have passed point of irreversible change.
U.N. Secretary−General António Guterres warns of a “dangerous disconnect” between what scientists and citizens are demanding to curb climate change, and what governments are actually doing about it.
Enbridge plans multibillion-dollar gas expansion in Ontario — and wants customers to pay for it
Feb 14, 2023 – National Observer
In a 7,000-plus-page application, the Calgary-based fossil fuel company is asking the Ontario Energy Board to approve a rate hike for customers that would fund a dramatic spending increase to expand its gas network with new pipes across the province.
Windsor gets taken for a ride by dirty fossil fuel developer
Jan 17, 2023 – Ontario Clean Air Alliance
Mayor Dilkens and Windsor City Council chose to listen to a fossil fuel power developer rather than the citizens of Windsor, who reminded them that the city has declared a climate emergency and has endorsed the call for the province to phase-out gas fired power. – more here
Red List Calls Out ‘Perfect Storm of Unsustainable Human Activity Decimating Marine Life’
December 10, 2022 – JESSICA CORBETT – Common Dreams
“Today’s IUCN Red List update reveals a perfect storm of unsustainable human activity decimating marine life around the globe. As the world looks to the ongoing U.N. Biodiversity Conference to set the course for nature recovery, we simply cannot afford to fail,”
This is the good news department
Repsol Abandons Plan to Ship Canadian LNG to Europe
Mar 17, 2023 – Spanish oil and gas giant Repsol SA has dropped its plan to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe from a terminal in New Brunswick,
Purolator Pledges $1B to Electrify Last-Mile Delivery – Mar 14, 2023 – …with the purchase of more than 3,500 electric last-mile delivery vehicles and electrification of more than 60 terminals.
Forests flourish under community control, and NASA has the satellite imagery to show it.
Feb 10, 2023 – The Verge
NASA published a set of maps yesterday showing the incredible recovery Nepal’s forests
Record solar and wind output is crushing coal in EU – and is already beating gas
Feb 1, 2023 – In 2023, Europe is set to witness a huge fall in fossil fuels – of coal power, yes, but especially gas power.
We May Not Actually Need All That Lithium –
Jan 25, 2023 – USA – Achieving Zero Emissions with More Mobility and Less Mining
Electric buses hitting London streets as school returns
Jan 9, 2023 – London Ontario – Families heading back to school this morning may notice something new on London roads — electric school buses.
Electricity prices plunge as Greens hail cap and “beginning of the end of gas”
Dec 15, 2022 – Australia, Renew Economy – Giles Parkinson
Prices of electricity futures have continued their fall as the federal government’s controversial gas price cap legislation passed through parliament, along with measures that will urge and help households to quit gas and go electric.
U.S. States, Cities Turn to Zoning Reform to Slash Emissions – December 18, 2022 “Conversations about reducing emissions typically focus on electric Vehicles … But increasingly, are aiming not just to get Americans into different kinds of cars, but to radically reduce the need to drive in the first place.”
Busiest ferry routes inside Arctic Circle go electric – Norway’s successful transition to zero-emission transport sector continues. By the end of 2022, the last remaining ferry connection along European route E6, Bognes-Skarberget, will operate on batteries.
This 100% solar community endured Hurricane Ian with no loss of power and minimal damage – Oct 2, 2022 – CNN
… 700,000 individual panels — generates more electricity than the 2,000-home neighborhood uses, in a state where most electricity is generated by burning natural gas
Ocean treaty:
Historic agreement reached after decade of talks
Mar 5, 2023 – BBC News
Nations have reached a historic agreement to
protect the world’s oceans following 10 years of negotiations.
The High Seas Treaty aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030, to safeguard and recuperate marine nature.
The last international agreement on ocean protection was signed 40 years ago in 1982 – the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This story was also reported in Common Dreams as ‘The Biggest Conservation Victory Ever!’
Aggressive Net-Zero Plan Puts PEI at ‘Centre of Energy Transition Universe’
February 14, 2023 – the Energy Mix – Mitchell Beer
A clever series of presentation slides at a conference in Ottawa last week placed small communities at the centre of the energy transition and spotlighted Prince Edward Island as Canada’s next source of breakaway climate leadership.
B.C.’s Incomappleux Valley of ancient trees, rare animals preserved
January 26th 2023 – Canadian Press
A valley of giant trees, lakes and wetlands in southeastern British Columbia nearly 200 times the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park is being preserved in an agreement with governments, Indigenous groups, a forest company and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
The valley is a rare inland temperate rainforest with substantial areas of mature and old-growth trees, some ranging in age from 800 to 1,500 years.