Fires, scorching temperatures, extreme weather, floods, and drought. We’re living a global human rights emergency of unprecedented proportions because of climate change, ecosystem damage, and political inaction on the part of governments like Canada.
Millions of lives are at risk.
The science is indisputable. Burning fossil fuels accounts for more than 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and is the primary cause of climate change. We urgently need to phase out fossil fuels to have a chance of keeping global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees C to prevent the worst human rights harms.
The United Nations and international courts now recognize the legal duty to phase out fossil fuels.
Yet Canada continues to approve the expansion of fossil fuels. In fact, the fossil fuel industry has been richly subsidized by Canadian taxpayers in the form of direct financial supports, offset credits, and subsidies.
And shockingly, we pay twice: once with these financial subsidies and once again with our health and well-being. Floods, fires, drought, crop failures and the criminalization of land defenders are the price we pay for continuing to line the pockets of oil and gas industry shareholders while our communities are choked with wildfire smoke or people lose their homes to floods and fires.
But there is still time to build a future in Canada that is not reliant on fossil fuels.
There must be no more missed opportunities. Canada bears significant responsibility for climate change and must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. At home, Canada must show leadership by urgently and equitably phasing out fossil fuels. No new projects. No expansions. Instead, Canada must invest in renewable energy, training for oil and gas workers transitioning out of the sector, and a new renewable energy infrastructure that benefits all Canadians.
Take action now and send a message to Canada’s Prime Minister: Stop financing fossil fuels!
