Emerging Issue: Climate Change Response
Rationale:
In late 2018, reports cited a more imminent crisis than previously reported, discouraging results at COP24 in Poland, and disagreements in Canada on what constitutes adequate action. Canada has an election in October 2019, and the NCWC needs policy to comment on the climate policy of the Government of Canada.
Whereas:
- The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) has adopted policy protecting Canadians from changes in our environment, including air pollution, water pollution, nuclear energy production, fracking, agricultural runoff, mining, and fossil fuel drilling;
- Changing average rainfall and extreme weather episodes have contributed to food insecurity;
- Insects previously controlled by cold winters are now causing forest fires and other ecological damage due to warming;
- Rural and Indigenous people are affected by habitat changes, loss of pollinators, and permafrost retreat;
- Decades of reports and conferences have warned of impending crises;
- Canada is not on track to meet its Paris targets, and experts agree climate change is proceeding rapidly.
Resolved:
- That NCWC adopt a policy to recognize that the climate is changing and measures are needed to mitigate effects now and in the future;
- That NCWC urge the Government of Canada to respond to the crisis and legislate actions to meet agreed-upon targets;
- That NCWC encourage its federates and councils to urge governments to act and educate members on reducing individual impacts.