Do you remember dystopia? orange sky Occupying New York (and Twitter/X) Last summer? Numerous Headline Climate records are being broken one after another? Seriously image About wildfire destruction, hurricanes, floods, heat waves? I definitely think so.
most popular meThe hottest monthAnd by the end of 2023, the hottest year. On Earth. Always.
The climate crisis has felt like a distant future for many, but now it is looming over us, warning us that 2023 is just a dark glimpse of what is to come. But there are many ways to go beyond pessimistic climate predictions to mitigate and adapt to extreme weather, build resilience within communities, recover from damage, and restore a world that is safe and livable for all. For this future reality to become a reality, we must invest in climate resilience. And the fossil fuel industry, the primary driver of the climate crisis, must pay the price.
Severe weather is hitting us with a series of events.
As the planet continues to warm from the continued burning of fossil fuels, extreme weather events such as wildfires, heat waves, floods, and hurricanes are occurring. More frequent and severe.
In 2023, Canada experienced its most destructive wildfire season on record. What has been recorded. From coast to coast, 18.5 million hectares The ground was completely burned and most people had to evacuate. 200,000 People, causing destruction Native And it forces rural communities and millions of people across borders. Take a breath Toxic air. This summer, a heatwave in eastern Canada in mid-June forced millions of people to seek refuge from their emotions. 40°C heat.
Researchers have found that both 2023 Eastern Canada Wildfires and June 2024 heat wave The climate crisis has made it more intense and likely.
A quick look at international media shows that we are not alone. Extreme heat in Mexico in May and June 2024 Killed 125 people. In early spring, a widespread heatwave caused suffering for millions of people across Asia. 40 degrees The heat forced thousands of schools to close, leaving internally displaced people like Gaza in dire straits and in dire straits. And in early July, Hurricane Beryl made dramatic landfall on several Caribbean islands. cause catastrophic damage To the island north of Grenada.
The list goes on: extreme weather events disrupt life as we know it, and affected communities deal with the costly aftermath of climate disasters.
Extreme weather is costly, but Big Oil continues to make big money.
~ inside 2022 and 2023Canada’s extreme weather events have resulted in more than $3.1 billion in insured losses. The direct costs of climate disasters to Canadians are: Grow every yearCanadian oil and gas extraction companies set records. $63.1 billion in profit in 2022Enough to cover costs equivalent to 20 times the insured loss.
Extreme weather events on the world stage are at an all-time high. $2.8 trillion in damage from 2000 to 2019or huge $16.3 million per hourThat’s an insane price to pay for people like you and me.
As communities grapple with the trauma of climate disasters and struggle to rebuild from wildfires, storms and floods, they face the constant threat of new extreme weather events that will impact their lives. Compensation, adaptation and preparation are key. vast It’s expensive, and instead of continuing business as usual, the fossil fuel industry will have to pay for the pollution it pollutes.
Solution: a Climate Recovery Fund Funded by the fossil fuel industry
Canada’s current environmental and climate legal environment leaves gaps in funding and policies to address the impacts of the climate crisis.
What we need is Climate Recovery Fund Helping communities and local governments prepare for, respond to, and adapt to extreme weather events.
The funds will be used for the following purposes:
- Recover from direct and indirect damage caused by climate change in Canada and abroad.
- Addresses and covers the costs of adapting to extreme weather conditions.
- Build resilience in communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.
This means providing shelter, amenities, support, health and emergency care to people facing climate disasters. As a major contributor to the climate crisis, we believe it is fair that the fossil fuel industry should be funding this fund.
Practically speaking, Climate Recovery Fund It will fund efforts to strengthen Canada’s existing climate and environment laws.
This could mean:
- plug a huge loophole Eliminate exemptions for polluting industries from the industrial carbon pricing system.
- Edit Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act Assess and fine fossil fuel polluters for their contribution to the climate crisis.
- Expand or strengthen penalties for violations of environmental regulations.
or, Climate Recovery Fund It could be enacted as something similar to a new law. Vermont Climate Superfund Act Whether at the federal or state level.
These are just a few of the options that can help you: Climate Recovery Fund Make it a reality and ensure communities are prepared for more devastating climate disasters.
Dear Big Oil, We’re sending you an invoice.
Science now obvious: Extreme weather Global Killer And it will continue to impact people’s lives and livelihoods for the foreseeable future. Climate Recovery Fund It will provide the resources needed to build our resilience. By exacerbating extreme weather events from one continent to another, the fossil fuel industry must be held accountable for its actions and this new Climate Recovery Fund To repair the damage that has occurred.
