Lytton, B.C.
Our hearts go out to the residents of Lytton, B.C. Record temperatures, wildfires, a town destroyed and residents devastated. This is the climate crisis in real time.
We can begin our help here.
Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash
Climate’s Role
It is evident the change in our climate played a role in the heat-related deaths and wildfires in B.C. These northern areas were hotter than the Middle East. Scientists fear this indicates a new dimension of the global crisis.
Johan Rockström of the The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research stated the recent extreme weather anomalies were not represented in global computer models that are used to project how the world might change with more emissions. The fear is that weather systems might be more frequently blocked as a result of human emissions. “It is a risk – of a serious regional weather impact triggered by global warming – that we have underestimated so far”, he said.
It is clear that the Climate Emergency created this crisis and it is time to act. In Canada the fossil fuel industry is the biggest source of impact on the climate. As residents of Toronto, we need our electricity production and home heating to be free of fossil fuels. Now is the time to commit to doing this.
What needs to be done
There is a global movement calling for national governments to negotiate and ratify a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to stop the further expansion of fossil fuel production, phase out fossil fuels, and ensure a global just transition for all.
Toronto350 has endorsed this treaty along with hundreds of other organizations including the Cities of Vancouver, Los Angeles, Barcelona, as well as seven other cities and sub-national governments. As Canada’s most populous city, it is time for Toronto to add our name and endorse this treaty. By endorsing it, Toronto is committing to a fossil free future, and sending a message to our provincial and federal governments to stop investing in oil and gas, and use funds to transition away from them.
What can you do?
Consider any or all of the following actions:
- Add your name to the petition for Toronto Council to endorse the FFNP Treaty.
- Send a letter to Mayor Tory and all city councillors asking that they endorse the treaty. Use this tool to make it easy!
- Phone your councillor and leave a message asking them to endorse the treaty. You can find your councillor’s contact information here.
- Personally endorse the treaty at https://fossilfueltreaty.org/#endorse
Join the over 12,000 individuals including over 1300 scientists, academics, and researchers, and over 480 world wide organizations who are working to make this treaty a reality!