Do you remember Dystopia? Orange sky took New York by storm (and Twitter/X)What happened last summer? Heading Are we worried about climate records being broken one after another? image You know about the destruction caused by wildfires, hurricanes, floods, heat waves? Yes, I do.
Hottest day to dayHottest Monthand the hottest at the end of 2023 YearForever on earth.
While the climate crisis once felt like a distant future to many, it is now upon us, with warnings that 2023 is just a dark glimpse of what is to come. But beyond the dire climate predictions, there are many ways to mitigate and adapt to extreme weather, build community resilience, repair damage, and restore a safe and livable world for all. To make this future reality a reality, we need to invest in climate resilience. And the fossil fuel industry, the main driver of the climate crisis, should pay the price.
Abnormal weather events occur one after another
As the planet continues to warm due to the continued burning of fossil fuels, extreme weather events such as wildfires, heat waves, floods, and hurricanes are beginning to occur. More frequent and severe.
Canada suffers worst wildfire season on record in 2023 Recorded so farFrom coast to coast, 18.5 million hectares of land was burned and almost 200 000 People are causing chaos Indigenous Peoples It is driving millions of people across the border into rural areas. take a breath Toxic air. A heat wave hit eastern Canada in mid-June this summer, causing millions of people to 40°C fever.
The researchers: Eastern Canada Wildfires 2023 And that Extreme heat in June 2024 The climate crisis has made these events even more intense and likely to occur.
A quick look at the international media shows we’re not alone: Mexico is forecasting extreme heat in May and June 2024. 125 people diedExtreme heat spread across Asia in early spring, causing millions of people to die. 40 degrees Extreme heat forced the closure of thousands of schools, leaving internally displaced people in Gaza and elsewhere in extreme uncertainty and danger, while Hurricane Beryl made dramatic landfall on several Caribbean islands in early July. cause devastating damage To the northern islands of Grenada.
The list goes on: extreme weather events disrupt our lives and affected communities must deal with the costly aftermath of climate disasters.
Extreme weather is costly, but big oil companies continue to make huge profits
in 2022 and 2023Extreme weather in Canada has caused more than $3.1 billion in insured losses. The direct cost of climate disasters to Canadians is Growing every yearCanadian oil and gas companies hit record lows Profits of $63.1 billion in 2022That’s enough to cover more than 20 times the amount of the insurance claim.
Globally, extreme weather events are estimated to be $2.8 trillion in damages from 2000 to 2019or phenomenal $16.3 million per hourThat is a staggering price to be paid by people like you and me.
Communities are struggling to recover from the trauma of climate disasters, wildfires, storms and floods, but they are constantly faced with new extreme weather threats that will impact their lives. Compensation, adaptation and preparation are key. Huge It will cost money, and the fossil fuel industry will have to pay the price for their pollution rather than continue with business as usual.
solution: Climate Resilience Fund Funded by the fossil fuel industry
Canada’s current state of environmental and climate law leaves gaps in funding and policies to address the damage caused by the impacts of the climate crisis.
What we need Climate Resilience Fund Helping communities and local governments prepare for, respond to, and adapt to extreme weather.
This fund will be used to:
- Repairing direct and indirect damage caused by the impacts of climate change within Canada and abroad.
- Adapt to extreme weather and cover the costs.
- Building resilience in communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.
This means providing shelter, amenities, support, medical care and emergency medical care to people facing climate disasters. As the main cause of the climate crisis, it makes sense that the fossil fuel industry would fund this fund.
as a matter of fact, Climate Resilience Fund The funding would come from strengthening Canada’s existing climate and environmental laws.
This could mean:
- Closing a huge loophole Improve the industrial carbon pricing system by removing exemptions for polluting industries.
- Amendment Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act Assess and fine fossil fuel polluters for their contribution to the climate crisis.
- Expanding or strengthening penalties for environmental violations.
or, Climate Resilience Fund Similar new laws may be enacted. Vermont Climate Superfund Act At both the federal and state levels.
these are, Climate Resilience Fund We will make this a reality and ensure communities are prepared for a world of more devastating climate disasters.
Big Oil, we’re sending you an invoice
Science Now clear: Abnormal weather is A global killer And it will continue to affect people’s lives and livelihoods for the foreseeable future. Climate Resilience Fund The fossil fuel industry will provide the resources we need to build our resilience. As it fuels extreme weather from continent to continent, it must be held accountable for its actions and begin to deploy this new funding immediately. Climate Resilience Fund To repair the damage caused.
