Prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable when addressing requirements for climate change adaptation

% Green:
82.90
% Yellow:
12.50
% Red:
4.60
Voting Detail:
Plenary
% Ratified:
0.00

Party Commentary

The motion is consistent with GPC core values and earlier approved policy. Vision Green already contains proposals that are redundant with this motion, however, such details are not in any member approved policy. This motion would harmonize Vision Green and member approved policy with respect to Green Party climate adaptation policy.

Preamble

WHEREAS it was calculated by Spanish NGO DARA in 2012 that already about 400,000 extra deaths per year could be attributed to anthropogenic climate change (1). At present global mean surface temperature is about 0.8 degC above pre-industrial levels (2);

AND WHEREAS climate change will continue to intensify: even if, globally, we follow the most optimistic of the IPCC working party scenarios (RCP2.6) (1), global mean surface temperatures in 2100 are expected to be nearly 2 degC above pre-industrial levels, with consequently greater impacts than at present (3);

AND WHEREAS impacts of climate change include (but are not limited to) sea level rise, coastal flooding and storm surges; food insecurity and breakdown of food systems as a result of warming, drought and precipitation variability; inland flooding; loss of sea ice; loss of drinking water supplies; and ecosystem breakdown (4);

AND WHEREAS these impacts will, in general, be felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable populations, both in Canada and worldwide (5);

Operative

BE IT RESOLVED that Green members of parliament will advocate strongly for necessary research to identify vulnerabilities in Canada and develop a strategy for adaptation in conjunction with the communities most at risk, and with provinces, territories and municipalities;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in planning for adaptation measures, and in their implementation, the Green Party of Canada will work to ensure that priority is given to the communities which are at most risk to the impacts of climate change, and the communities with the fewest resources available to generate their own adaptation strategy. Furthermore, the Green Party of Canada will give particular priority to affected indigenous communities placed in a vulnerable position by historic political choices;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Green members of parliament will advocate for the establishment of a national climate adaptation fund.

Sponsors:
Kaitlyn Harvey, Vicki Strelioff, Lois Mitchell, Patricia Farnese, Bonnie Lawrence, Penny Swartz, Climate Change Advisory Group, Toronto Danforth EDA

Background

Climate change is already resulting in additional deaths, destruction, disease, loss of homes and loss of livelihood. While GPC policy must be to prioritize mitigation - i.e. minimize the extent of climate change primarily by radically reducing emissions - there will be human and ecological impacts which we cannot prevent. The purpose of this motion is to ensure that those who are most vulnerable to those impacts should be given priority in planning and implementation of adaptation measures.

A number of vulnerabilities exist within the borders of Canada. Rapid loss of sea ice in the arctic threatens the traditional lifestyle of Inuit and other northern peoples. Melting of permafrost threatens buildings and infrastructure. Sea level rise and increased storm surges pose a threat to some coastal communities. Inland flooding has already resulted in major impacts to a number of communities across the country, and that impact is likely to increase. The incidence of forest fires has shown a steady increase. In the longer term, a number of regions, especially in the western prairies, are likely to experience more frequent droughts, with significant negative impacts on food production.

Some First Nations and Métis communities are located in places particularly vulnerable to flooding, not by their own choice but through historical decisions of agents of the Canadian government. Thus climate change magnifies the impacts of a historic injustice.

Code

G14-P40

Proposal Type

Policy

Submitter Name

Mark Bigland-Pritchard

Party Commentary

The motion is consistent with GPC core values and earlier approved policy. Vision Green already contains proposals that are redundant with this motion, however, such details are not in any member approved policy. This motion would harmonize Vision Green and member approved policy with respect to Green Party climate adaptation policy.

Preamble

WHEREAS it was calculated by Spanish NGO DARA in 2012 that already about 400,000 extra deaths per year could be attributed to anthropogenic climate change (1). At present global mean surface temperature is about 0.8 degC above pre-industrial levels (2);

AND WHEREAS climate change will continue to intensify: even if, globally, we follow the most optimistic of the IPCC working party scenarios (RCP2.6) (1), global mean surface temperatures in 2100 are expected to be nearly 2 degC above pre-industrial levels, with consequently greater impacts than at present (3);

AND WHEREAS impacts of climate change include (but are not limited to) sea level rise, coastal flooding and storm surges; food insecurity and breakdown of food systems as a result of warming, drought and precipitation variability; inland flooding; loss of sea ice; loss of drinking water supplies; and ecosystem breakdown (4);

AND WHEREAS these impacts will, in general, be felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable populations, both in Canada and worldwide (5);

Operative

BE IT RESOLVED that Green members of parliament will advocate strongly for necessary research to identify vulnerabilities in Canada and develop a strategy for adaptation in conjunction with the communities most at risk, and with provinces, territories and municipalities;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in planning for adaptation measures, and in their implementation, the Green Party of Canada will work to ensure that priority is given to the communities which are at most risk to the impacts of climate change, and the communities with the fewest resources available to generate their own adaptation strategy. Furthermore, the Green Party of Canada will give particular priority to affected indigenous communities placed in a vulnerable position by historic political choices;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Green members of parliament will advocate for the establishment of a national climate adaptation fund.

Sponsors

Kaitlyn Harvey, Vicki Strelioff, Lois Mitchell, Patricia Farnese, Bonnie Lawrence, Penny Swartz, Climate Change Advisory Group, Toronto Danforth EDA

Background

Climate change is already resulting in additional deaths, destruction, disease, loss of homes and loss of livelihood. While GPC policy must be to prioritize mitigation - i.e. minimize the extent of climate change primarily by radically reducing emissions - there will be human and ecological impacts which we cannot prevent. The purpose of this motion is to ensure that those who are most vulnerable to those impacts should be given priority in planning and implementation of adaptation measures.

A number of vulnerabilities exist within the borders of Canada. Rapid loss of sea ice in the arctic threatens the traditional lifestyle of Inuit and other northern peoples. Melting of permafrost threatens buildings and infrastructure. Sea level rise and increased storm surges pose a threat to some coastal communities. Inland flooding has already resulted in major impacts to a number of communities across the country, and that impact is likely to increase. The incidence of forest fires has shown a steady increase. In the longer term, a number of regions, especially in the western prairies, are likely to experience more frequent droughts, with significant negative impacts on food production.

Some First Nations and Métis communities are located in places particularly vulnerable to flooding, not by their own choice but through historical decisions of agents of the Canadian government. Thus climate change magnifies the impacts of a historic injustice.