Scientists are overwhelmingly telling us our earth is getting hotter due to human activity.
UFCW Canada's National President Paul Meinema, has called the climate crisis an emergency and has urged the federal and provincial governments to take concrete steps for action.
Climate Change is at our doorstep and we cannot afford to turn a blind eye.
UFCW Canada shares why climate change matters and why we need to take action now. If you are looking to learn more about these important issues, please enrol in webCampus' courses ("Our Envronment: Welcome to the Issues" and "Canada's Environmental Record")
1) What is climate change and why does it matter?
Climate change is the global shift in the earth’s weather events – like rainfall, winds, and temperatures – caused by changes in the earth’s atmosphere.
Climate change occurs naturally; however, the current changes are happening at a rate faster than previously recorded, creating a climate crisis.
The earth’s temperature is heating up too quickly because of human activities which include:
- Human reliance on fossil fuels has increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
- Deforestation has reduced the earth’s ability to filter carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
- Industrial expansion has reduced the amount of land available to replant trees
- Over population means more people and more pollution.
The connection between human activity and the increased rate of environmental change is heavily intertwined. Unless we change our ways, both globally and personally, the earth’s environment will be severely and irreparably compromised for future generations.
2) What are the consequences of ignoring climate change?
There are many detrimental consequences, with major impacts for all of us.
Climate change results in more frequent heatwaves and fewer cold spells, plus severe flooding and changes to the harvesting cycle, all of which impacts our ability to grow food.
Climate change continues to melt ice which increases water levels across Canada.
In May and June 2017, dense ice—up to 8 metres (25ft) thick—was in the waters off the northern coast of Newfoundland, trapping fishing boats and ferries.
We can expect more hazards as the temperatures increase.
Ignoring climate changes means that Canada's rate of warming is amplified. Currently ours is about twice the global rate. This means that a 2°C increase globally means a 3 to 4°C increase for Canada.
3) What impact are humans currently having on the planet?
Humans are capable of so much good and so much harm.
We negatively impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water. These negative impacts can affect human behavior and can prompt mass migrations or conflicts over clean water.
We can positively impact the world as we learn to live in balance with the earth’s ecosystems, transition to healthier economies (not profit at any cost) and find ways to live peacefully on this planet.
4) Why did UFCW Canada decide to offer these two courses on webCampus?
webCampus continues to great program choice for our members. They look to learn more about topics that are important to them like new work skills, health and safety as well as labour rights. Learning more about the environment is a natural extension of UFCW’s purpose for webCampus.
Climate change is one of the main challenges of our time, and as activists, UFCW members have an important role to play in charting the course for the future. You can count on webCampus to continue creating and offering courses that empower workers.
5) What can members and their families gain from taking these courses?
Encouraging an informed and balanced perspective is the aim of these courses.
UFCW Canada members and their families can feel confident that adding their voices to the growing movement that recognizes the immediate need to act to avert environmental destruction.
Also, with climate change, the voices of workers and their union helping to lead the way, there is an opportunity to create a more socially sustainable world.
It’s a complex discussion and each worker deserves to have a say in the future we are building.
6) What can our members do to start taking action on climate change?
There are three ways members can take action:
- Each election offers Canadian workers the opportunity to vote for the candidate or party that has an effective plan for a healthy environment and just economy. Whether it’s a municipal, provincial or federal election, members can make a huge difference on how they use their ballots.
- As unions fight for workers rights with employers and often governments, workers’ lives are often in the balance. Preparing for an unpredictable future means they need to plan how to ensure their employability. Upgrading their skills and learning relevant ones is a great way to be ready.
- Each member lives with everyday realities like raising children, taking care of elderly parents or making ends meet. The environmental crisis should remind us of what we ‘live for’… those we care about and love.
