Making Ecocide a Crime

Many of the world's most serious environmental problems would be addressed if we were to make ecocide a crime. This would also protect Indigenous livelihoods and lands. Here are excerpts from an article titled Ecocide, genocide and the disregard of alternative life-systems by Tim Lindgrin. It was published in the International Journal of Human Rights.

As defined by by Polly Higgins, in a book titled Eradicating Ecocide: Laws and Governance to Prevent the Destruction of Our Planet (London: Shepheard-Walwyn, 2010). Ecocide refers to “the extensive damage to, destruction of or loss of ecosystem(s) of a given territory, whether by human agency or by other causes, to such an extent that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished” (Higgins, Short & South, 2012, p. 4).

There are global initiatives that seek to make ecocide an international crime dating to the 1970s. Inclusion of ecocide into the Rome Statute1 as one of the crimes against peace was extensively discussed between 1985 and 1996. However, the final version of the Statute only included ecocide as a crime in times of war.

In April 2010, environmental activist and barrister Polly Higgins submitted a proposal to the International Law Commission of the United Nations for the amendment of the Rome Statute, advocating the recognition of mass environmental destruction and damage as an international crime and a crime of strict liability committed by legal or natural persons.

Following the submission of the proposal, Higgins and several other lawyers created a draft Ecocide Act that outlines the guiding principles of an international law of ecocide. The draft Act urges the condemnation of ecocide and views it as a crime against humanity, nature, and future generations.

State and corporate actors are responsible for most of the ecological social harms and injustices and they are commonly the ones who write the laws. 

The draft ecocide act is set up under the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court. This court would have jurisdiction over suspected perpetrators of the crime of ecocide.  Those responsible would be held accountable and sentenced to a term of imprisonment upon their conviction. This means that transnational corporations who commit ecocide will not be able to escape the grave environmental and social consequences of their activities by simply paying a fine.

Furthermore, the proposed law of ecocide imposes international and transboundary duty of care on governments to provide help and assistance to those facing naturally occurring ecocides and catastrophic events. In addition to this, the Act urges the recognition of the crime of cultural ecocide “where the right to cultural life by indigenous communities has been severely diminished by the acts of a person, company, organization, partnership, or any other legal entity that causes or fails to prevent extensive damage to, destruction of or loss of cultural life of the inhabitants of a territory” (Ecocide Act, n.d., section 7).  If adopted, states and corporations that commit acts that severely diminish indigenous peoples right to cultural life will be guilty of the crime of cultural ecocide.

Lindgrin argues that collective action is the most appropriate and effective response for eradicating ecological destruction and its negative impacts on people and the planet. With considerable support from governments, scholars, and the public, making ecocide an international crime was actually on the international agenda until the adoption of a final version of the Draft Code of Crimes Against the Peace and Security of Mankind, which later became the Rome Statute.

While finalizing the Draft Code, the International Law Commission discussed the possible inclusion of offences, which cause serious damage to the environment in times of peace and drafted Article 26. However, wording of the draft Article 26 met with objection from several governments and was consequently removed from the final version (Gauger, Pouye Rabatel Fernel, Kulbicki, Short and Higgins, 2013).

Regardless of this outcome, ten countries have chosen to incorporate the crime of ecocide into their national penal codes.3 Consequently, one can conclude that “ecocide was recognized as a crime which the international community had deemed to be so serious that it was included in the Draft Code of Crimes Against the Peace and Security of Mankind” as well as national penal codes of several countries

Despite political reluctance, promulgation of an international law of ecocide is possible with strong global awareness and support, given the current status of the climate crisis. What is needed first is one State Party to propose an amendment to the Rome Statute to introduce the crime of ecocide as the fifth international crime against peace. Following this achievement, strong transnational cooperation and effective campaigning will be indispensable to convince two-thirds of the States’ Parties to adopt the proposed amendment which would prohibit crimes against nature and its inhabitants. Once an international law of ecocide is put into place, states could pass laws to incorporate the crime of ecocide into their national legislation and the International Criminal Court (ICC) could become the court of last resort in cases where a national court is unable or unwilling to prosecute. As a penalty, the ICC could impose a prison sentence in addition to a fine or a forfeiture of proceeds, property, and assets (Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, 1998, art.77). As a complementary sentencing mechanism, the Ecocide Act advocates restorative justice processes in addition to or substitution of imprisonment. According to Section 19, “where a defendant pleads or is found guilty, the court must remand the case in order that the victim(s) shall be offered the opportunity to participate in a process of restorative justice involving contact between the offender and any representatives of those affected by the offence” (Ecocide Act, n.d.).

There is also a growing discussion about the establishment of a more suitable tribunal to prosecute those who commit the crime of ecocide. An International Criminal Court of the Environment and Health or an International Court for the Environment are among the proposed institutions.

Lindgrin suggests that an alliance between indigenous environmental and climate movements would be an important step towards the realization of a law of ecocide with an international scope. Increasing research and scientific publication, exchanging knowledge, launching global campaigns, organizing conferences and events at executive levels are among the ways that the two movements can collaborate with transnational initiatives that want to make ecocide an international crime. Such cooperation will empower both movements and their lobbying power for their common endeavor to pursue ecological and social justice.

Green and Environmental Job Search Resources

Although there are tens of millions of opportunities afforded by the green jobs revolution, it is not always easy for the uninitiated to know how to go about getting these jobs.

People want to work for a healthier, more sustainable world. According to a recent report the vast majority of millennials indicated they want green jobs. A BEIS survey of 1,000 young people aged 18-24 reveals that more than two thirds of 18-24 year olds are interested in working in the green economy.

The not-for-profit organization, Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) provides free resources to help job seekers secure employment in the green jobs sector. Although ECO focuses primarily on technical and scientific positions, traditionally from the environment industry, these resources have wide applicability. In addition to their environmental job board, ECO provides a variety of services such as paid internships; environmental certification; job classification, human resource trends and statistics.

Click here to access ECO's free career development resources (eBooks, guides, videos, webinars and brochures).

Event - Call for Submissions: International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation (ICEPR’20)

The 10th International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation (ICEPR’20) will take place on August 19, 2020 - August 21, 2020 in Prague , Czech Republic. The Conference Proceedings will be published with an ISSN and ISBN, indexed in Scopus and Google Scholar, and archived permanently in Portico.

ICEPR’20 aims to become the leading annual conference in fields related to environmental pollution and remediation. The goal of ICEPR’20 is to gather scholars from all over the world to present advances in the relevant fields and to foster an environment conducive to exchanging ideas and information. This conference will also provide an ideal environment to develop new collaborations and meet experts on the fundamentals, applications, and products of the mentioned fields.

Topics for ICEPR’20 include, but are not limited, to the following:
  • Air pollution and treatment
  • Biofuels
  • Desalination
  • Environmental Protection
  • Environmental Sustainability and Development
  • Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming, and Climate Change
  • Groundwater Issues
  • Wastewater Management and Treatment
  • Water Pollution and Treatment

Author guidelines

Submissions in the form of extended abstracts, short papers, and full manuscripts are welcome.

All submitted papers will be peer-reviewed the congress proceedings will be published under an ISSN and ISBN number the conference proceedings will be indexed by Scopus and Google Scholar each paper will be assigned a unique DOI number by Crossref the proceedings will be permanently archived in Portico (one of the largest community-supported digital archives in the world). Selected papers from the congress will be submitted for possible publication in the International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Remediation (IJEPR) (publication fees may apply)

Paper Topics

ICEPR’20 is now accepting papers on the following topics through its OpenConf system. If you have a paper on an additional topic, please write an email to info@icepr.org. The current topics include but are not limited to:
  • Air pollution and treatment
  • Biofuels
  • Desalination
  • Energy Management
  • Environmental Education Programs
  • Environmental Protection
  • Environmental Risk Assessments
  • Environmental Safety Regulations
  • Environmental Sustainability and Development
  • Green Manufacturing and Technologies, Pollution Prevention
  • Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming, and Climate Change
  • Groundwater Issues
  • Impact of Industrialization on the Environment
  • Nanotechnology Impacts on Environment
  • Oil Spills
  • Pollution and Health Issues
  • Renewable and Non-Renewable Energies
  • Soil Pollution and Treatment
  • Wastewater Management and Treatment
  • Water Pollution and Treatment

Manuscripts are invited for the 10th International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Remediation (ICEPR'20) on topics lying within the scope of the conference. All contributions must be original and should not have been published elsewhere. Three types of manuscripts could be published in the conference proceedings:

Extended Abstracts /  Short Papers / Full Papers

You may choose to submit any of the above based on the the weight of the contributions in your manuscript.

Extended abstracts are welcome for publication. These submissions should be around 500 words and must give a clear indication of the objectives, scope, and results (if available) of the research. No figures or tables are allowed. Presentation for these submissions are limited to 20 minutes (if oral) or poster. Short papers must give a clear indication of the objectives, scope, and results of the paper, and must (at least) contain an abstract, an introduction, a results/discussion section, and a reference section. Short papers are limited to 4 pages. Presentation for these submissions are limited to 20 minutes (if oral) or poster. Full Papers are limited to 8 pages and are more descriptive of the work that has been done. Also, more sections, images, graphs, and results could be presented. Presentation for these submissions are limited to 20 minutes (if oral) or poster.

Language: Papers should be prepared in English and carefully checked for correct grammar. Figures should be of high quality. To ensure high scientific quality, all papers will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee Members. All papers must be submitted in electronic form using the web site of the conference.

Reviewing process: Once complete, the contact author of each paper will be notified of the result by e-mail. The authors are required to follow the reviews in order to improve their paper before their final submission.

All accepted extended abstracts, short, and full papers will be published in the proceedings, under an ISBN reference in a USB drive. The online version of the proceedings will also be published under an ISSN reference and each paper in the proceedings will be assigned unique DOIs by CrossRef. Selected papers will be published in a Special Issue in the Open-Access Journal “International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Remediation” by Avestia Publishing. For more information, in regards to the journal and Avestia Publishing, please visit our website at www.avestia.com.

All papers must be presented by one of the authors. At least one author must register for the conference and pay the fee prior to Regular Registration deadline (see Important Dates) in order for the paper to be published in the conference proceedings and accepted in the final program.

Best paper awards will be conferred to author(s) of the papers that receive the highest rank during the peer-review and by the respected session chairs. Only papers presented at the conference will be eligible for this award. Winners receive a certificate, 25% discount towards registration for the 2021 series of the conference, and can submit their papers to a related journal by Avestia Publishing for free publication (subject to a second round of peer-review).

The corresponding authors of accepted papers are required to please fill, complete, sign and send the following copyright form along with your Camera Ready Submission to info@icepr.org. Failure to comply will result in removal of the paper from the proceedings.

Please note that a .docx template is available to guide the authors in formatting their papers. All papers (including extended abstracts) must comply with the template. To go to templates and copyright form click here.  Tosubmit your paper or access the reviewer system, please click here 

Click here to register

Contact information:

International ASET Inc.
Unit No. 104, 2442 St. Joseph Blvd.
Orléans, Ontario, Canada
K1C 1G1
Phone +1-613-834-9999
Email info@icepr.org

Event - Eco-Green-Solar Expo Canada

Eco-Green-Solar Expo Canada will take place on Friday February 7 to Sunday February 9, 2020, at the Exhibition Place, in Toronto Ontario. These events aim to bring local and regional businesses together with consumers for the sole purpose of exposing consumers to Eco-Green and Solar companies products and services, geared towards saving the environment through the use of Green Products.

Phone: 866-932-5577
E-mail: egscanada.com (at) gmail.com

Event - Global Summit and Expo on Pollution Control

The 7th Global Summit and Expo on Pollution Control will take place in Paris, France on December 03-04, 2019. This summit is subtitled: Advanced Technologies and Brilliance of New Era in Pollution Control. Thia event offers well organized scientific program including keynote presentations, workshops and networking opportunities.

Sessions will cover topics like Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Air Pollution and Treatment, Water Pollution and Treatment, Recycling, Waste Management and Treatment, Industrial Pollution, Marine Pollution, Global Warming, Green and Renewable Energy, Bio energy and Biofuels, Pollution Control Technologies and Devices.

Speakers

Mbah Robert Achu
Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development Cameroon

Bernhard-G-Pummer
Max Planck University of Chemistry Germany

Tian-Xiang-Yue
Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research China

Nils-Axel-Morner
Paleo Geophysics and Geodynamics Sweden

Fabio-Teodoro-de-Souza
Pontifical Catholic University of Parana Brazil

Linda-Johnson-Bell
The wine and Climate Change Institute UK

Grahame-Oliver
Nanyang Technological University Singapore

Frederick-House Drexel university USA

Topics
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Water Pollution and Treatment
  • Air Pollution and Treatment
  • Industrial Pollution
  • Marine Pollution
  • Solid Waste Disposal
  • Waste Management and Treatment
  • Pollution Sources
  • Pollution Control Technologies and Devices
  • Bioenergy and Biofuels
  • Environmental Sustainability and Development
  • Pollution and Health Effects
  • Climate Change
  • Global Warming
  • Noise Pollution
Session/Tracks

Track 01: Environmental Pollution
Track 02: Climate Change
Track 03: Air Pollution and Treatment
Track 04: Water Pollution and Treatment
Track 05: Recycling
Track 06: Waste Management and Treatment
Track 07: Industrial Pollution
Track 08: Soil Pollution
Track 09: Marine Pollution
Track 10: Pollution Control Technologies and Devices
Track 11: Global Warming
Track 12: Green Energy
Track 13: Bio energy and Biofuels
Track 14: Noise Pollution
Track 15: Environmental Sustainability
Track 16: Pollution and Health Effects
Track 17: Renewable Energy

To download the brochure click here
To register click here.

Climate Action Offers Trillions of Savings and Stellar ROI

Renewable energy, electrification and efficiency would save the global economy $160 trillion over the next 30 years.  A rapid transition to renewable energy, "deep" electrification, and energy efficiency are also the most cost effective ways to keep temperatures below the upper threshold limit of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). These are the finding of a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) titled the Global energy transformation: A roadmap to 2050 (2019 edition). The $160 trillion in cost savings are derived from 30 years of cumulative savings from avoided health costs, energy subsidies and climate damages. Electrification of the transportation sector could grow the electric vehicle market from five million to one billion. Renewable energy consumption could go from 16.6 percent to 66 percent.

The REmap 2030 report included energy efficiency initiatives in the transportation sector, buildings and industry. According to this report the heating sector alone could see a 16-fold increase in high-efficiency electric heat pumps. We would also see massive investments in insulation and LED lighting technologies.

IEA research indicates that the health and productivity benefits from green buildings and high-efficiency industrial processes could increase cumulative economic output through 2035 by $18 trillion.


According to the IRENA's 2019 report, every dollar invested will yield a 7 fold return. These are alluring incentives that are attracting investors. The only question is how long it will take governments to muster the political courage to expedite a rapid transition.

Businesses Cannot Afford to Ignore Climate Risks

Transitioning to a net zero economy will impact every asset class so businesses of all types must take notice. The far reaching economic repercussions of the climate crisis means that businesses can either adapt or die. Those that view sustainability as nothing more than a buzzword will be punished while those who respond to the risks and seize the opportunities will reap the rewards. Sustainability is a culture not a buzzword on a company website. However, as highlighted by the failure of sustainability focused certification schemes,  companies are guilty of greenwashing. In many quarters sustainability is little more than jargon exploited for public relations purposes.

Bankruptcy



However, failure to inculcate the reality of climate change into business strategy is a matter of survival. Businesses that fail to address the threats associated with climate change will be dangerously unprepared for the realities of the world we live in. They will also find themselves in mortal danger.

The Bank of England governor Mark Carney recently told the Guardian that companies that do not reign in their carbon emissions will drive investors away. Carney did not mince words when he warned that firms that fail to address this reality will go bankrupt.

Risks


A report from Zurich reviewed the risks to infrastructure and the need for businesses to prepare for rising sea levels associated with global warming. As explained by Zurich, "businesses that don't build resilience to rising sea levels will get soaked". They point to a two-fold increase in sea levels between 1993 and 2010 compared to last century. They also single out a study which suggests sea levels could rise more than two meters by the end of this century. According to the U.K.’s National Oceanographic Centre, the costs of sea level rise could exceed $14 trillion a year by 2100.

Mass migrations will result from widespread flooding. The relocation of billions of people will result in major economic and political ramifications. Eugenie Molyneaux, Zurich’s Chief Risk Officer for Commercial Insurance, said, "we are most clearly sleepwalking into catastrophe".

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2019 estimates 800 million people are vulnerable to a rise in sea level of 0.5 meters by 2050. The report makes it clear that we have no time to waste.  The impacts on business from the full range of climate related risks are extensive. They range from damaged infrastructure to supply chain disruptions.

Financial collapse


Failing to act would have severe consequences on the global economy virtually guarantying that shocks to the financial system will cause the sudden collapse in asset prices. Carney pointed to US coal companies that have lost 90 percent of their value. He also indicated that banks with too much exposure to companies on the wrong side of the climate equation are also at risk. According to Carney corporations have a couple of years to act before global regulators advance compulsory regulations.

Carney also expressed concern that the longer we wait to make the required global transition the more likely we are to experience abrupt financial collapse. Carney pointed to extreme weather events and government regulations leading to asset devaluation. He warned that that are $20 trillion worth of assets at risk if we fail to address climate change. He also pointed to big upside potential from those involved in climate action.

Opportunities


While there are serious risks there will also be massive rewards for those who are part of the solution. The Zurich report reiterates the findings of many other cost benefit analyses. There is little doubt that the benefits of climate action far outweigh the costs. The Zurich report indicates that spending on recovery is five times as great as spending on prevention. "The numbers speak for themselves and should be convincing in their own right." Molyneaux said.  "Investing one dollar in prevention can save up to five dollars of recovery."

There will be vast opportunities to invest in renewable energy and other clean technologies. There will also be massive demand for capital to address vulnerable infrastructure, including energy plants, water treatment facilities, communications, and transportation. Coastal cities alone represent multi-trillion dollar opportunities.

What is clear at present is that we are not doing anywhere near what we must to minimize the threat and prepare to adapt to it.

What next


According to Carney we need to see innovation, artificial intelligence in energy systems and more reliance on advanced materials like graphene.

Companies need to look beyond their immediate business activities and conduct strategic reviews. They need to carefully review their supply chains and conduct scenario planning to assess their risk exposure.

If we are to succeed in keeping temperatures below critical thresholds we will need to act with urgency but we will also need to at collaboratively. Every strata of society from politicians, to businesses and academics must come together to devise global strategies.

We need to minimize risk through preventative planning and infrastructure investments. Sustainable investment can offer better returns on investment over the long term.  However, there is a tremendous shortfall. The G20’s Global Infrastructure Hub projects a gap of $18 trillion between current investment trends and the level necessary by 2040.

Global threat


While corporations should be moved by the benefits of climate action including competitive advantages, the climate crisis needs to be understood as a risk that threatens the survival not just of individual businesses or even business sectors, this is a threat to our entire our economic system. The FT reports that James Gorman, the CEO of Morgan Stanley, made the extent of the threat clear when he told a US congressional committee, "If we don’t have a planet, we’re not going to have a very good financial system."

The importance of action cannot be overstated. Failure to engage is not just a threat to an individual firm it also represents a wider threat to society at large. What is required is a paradigm shift that assigns value to a stable climate and challenges our obsession with short term profit horizons.

"So, you might be able to deliver short-term profit, but long-term sustainable value creation can’t happen that way...Ignoring this is impossible," says Halla Tómasdóttir, CEO of The B Team, "The system that we have operated in has been so focused on short-term profit creation at the expense of people and planet that this approach is no longer an option."

In response to the very real threat we face sustainability and sustainable finance have become mainstream phenomena.  Companies are faced with an existential choice, they can either work towards global solutions or incur risks that may contribute to their demise. They must also understand that if they fail to meet this challenge they will be swallowed by a devastating economic tsunami.

Liberal Minority Government is Good for Climate Action

A Liberal minority government has been elected in Canada and this is good news for climate action. A Liberal majority government would have meant more climate dualism. Their minority status may force them to ratchet up their climate ambitions and soften their support for the fossil fuel industry.  The fact that Liberals have won only 157 seats means they must find a way to gain the support of at least 13 members of parliament to get to a 170 majority. This means that Justin Trudeau's Liberals will need to deal with the NDP (24 seats) and the Green Party (3 seats) to get anything done.

The Block Quebecois won 32 seats with an environmental policy platform. As a separatist party the Block cannot afford to be seen working too closely with the federal government, however, we could see unexpected alliances develop in support of climate action.

If the Liberals want to form a majority government they could join forces with the NDP and the Greens. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has already suggested that he would consider a coalition. NDP Strategist Anne McGrath said the party would work to advance the urgent priorities of Canadians and this includes acting to combat climate change. The Green Party's Leader Elizabeth May has made it abundantly clear that she would support climate action.

It is more likely that the Liberals will form a minority government and govern by securing the confidence of the majority of the House. Although minority governments tend to last between 12 and 18 months, this may be a more stable government than historical precedent would suggest. The NDP is broke and cannot afford another election and the Block are very content to sit on the seats that they have gained.

As predicted by the polls the environment was a major issue in this election and climate has emerged as the dividing line separating East from West.  Despite these divisions, many who support climate action take great comfort from the fact that the Conservatives will not form the next government.

Updated to reflect the latest seat totals on October 22, 2019 at 8:05 am EST

Event - New Frontiers in Renewable Energy and Resources

New Frontiers in Renewable Energy and Resources will take place on November 25-26, 2019 in Rome, Italy. The theme is "Renewable Energy for a Better Future" and the it will include: Keynote talks, Plenary sessions, Discussion Panels, B2B Meetings, Poster symposia, Video Presentations, and Workshops.

This conference is a global platform to discuss and learn about aims to provide a Renewable energy researchers, scientists, industrialists, policy makers, energy economists and academicians to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of Renewable Energy and Resources.

Sessions (for more information on these sessions see below)

  • Sources of energy
  • Renewable Energy
  • Solar Energy
  • Wind Power
  • Wave Energy
  • Geothermal Energy
  • Biofuel energy
  • Hydropower
  • Biomass energy
  • Impacts of Climate Change
  • Ocean and Marine Energy
  • Photovoltaic
  • Hybrid renewable energy Sources
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Smart Grid
  • Sustainable Energy and Development
  • Green Energy and Economy
  • Distributed Renewable Energy Systems
  • Power and Energy Engineering
  • Waste to Energy
Click here to download the brochure
Click here to see the program
Click here to register.

Sources of Energy

A substance that is converted by process into usable energy then the substance is called source of energy. One of the beneficial factors for the use of the renewable energy is that it is naturally generated. These sources are constantly replenished such as sunlight, wind, heat and water. The common energy sources are Hydropower, Biomass, Biofuels, Wind, Geothermal and Solar Energy. It often includes commodities such as wood, paper and leather. The sources of renewable energy are present in the natural environment comprising the largest component of ecosystem. These sources are capable enough to replace the conventional sources of energy such as fossil energy by serving into distinct areas such as generation of electricity, Hot water/space heating, and the rural grid off energy services.

Renewable Energy

Meeting with the world wide expectation, renewable energy has evolved a lot. The use of renewable can be seen in day to day life basically in four areas electricity generation, air and water heating and cooling transportation and rural(off-grid) energy services. The existence of this energy has been find across wide geographical area as compared to other energy sources. Large application of renewable energy has resulted in significant improvement in energy security, climate change mitigation and economic benefits. The use of renewable energy has directed the people to move forward from conventional fuels due to the environmental reasons. Renewable energy can be defines as a form of energy derived from the natural sources which cannot be depleted such as wind or solar power. They are the natural energy present in all forms ranging from sunlight, wind, waves, geothermal heat and tides. There sources are replaced constantly but does not get short. Although there is unlimited supply of the fossil fuels, we should go for the use of renewable energy as it is not only safe for the environment, eco-friendly but also less prone to pollutants if any. The development in renewable technologies has led to human development both way rural and urban. A single form of renewable energy can be further converted into different forms. It won’t be wrong to say that renewable energy is leading to sustainable development.

Solar energy

Solar Energy is the most promptly accessible wellspring of energy. Sun is the sources of all energies, the primary forms of solar energy are heat and light. It doesn't have a place with anyone and is, in this manner, free. It is additionally the most essential of the non-conventional sources of energy. Since it is non-contaminating and along these lines, helps in decreasing the greenhouse impact. Solar energy can likewise be utilized to meet our power prerequisites. Through Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) cells, sunlight based radiation gets changed over into DC power specifically. Solar Energy is dependable progressing at Solar Transport. Fuel production is also done with the help of high temperature from solar energy. The energy is capture, which is produced at one time and is store for future use. Solar energy free and clean energy and the solar panels can be placed on roofs of houses which makes less occupancy.

Wind Energy

The wind is a free, clean and gladly available renewable energy source. In the world, every day wind turbines are capturing the wind’s power and converting it to the electricity. The energy from the wind turns the two or three propeller-like blades around a rotor in windmill. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, and this shaft connected with the generator to create electricity. This source of power generation plays a progressively important role in the way of power in our world. Wind turbines captured the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) in the turbines generator or can be convert this mechanical power into useful power like electricity. Now wind power technology is showing rapid growth and much more helpful than conventional power generation.by using this wind energy there is no pollution and less space occupancy and less cost effective. Wind turbines don't deliver air discharges that lead to medical issues like asthma or make corrosive rain or nursery gasses which is involves in coal handling plants.

Wave energy

This form of energy is produced when the electricity generators are placed on the surface of the ocean. The energy is widely applied for the desalination purpose in the power plants and water pump. Output of the energy is calculated by the wave height, wave speed, wavelength and the water density. Energy generated by waves is converted into electricity through the electric generator. Wave movement is harnessed and converted to electricity. It’s a reliable source of energy as it can be harnessed enormously and there is no shortage. Depending on the method used for the capture of wave energy, it can be characterised into hydraulic ram, elastomeric hose pump, and pump to shore, hydroelectric turbine, air turbine and linear electric generator. Being a renewable source of energy, wave energy can have certain disadvantages to the marine animals. There are chances that the marine animal may be struck to the tidal turbine blades, causes noise pollution, effect on the life of marine animal, affecting the sediment transport and water quality.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth and it's a clean and sustainable. Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few miles under the surface of the earth, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock named magma. There are three main types of geothermal energy systems: Direct use and district heating system and Electricity generation in power plants and geothermal heat pumps. The steam rotates a turbine, than the turbine activates a generator, which produces electricity.in the world, there are many power plants still use fossil fuels to boil water for steam. Geothermal power plants, using the steam, produced from reservoirs of hot water found a couple of miles or more below the Earth's surface. heat exchanger-a system of pipes covered in the shallow ground near the building. In the winter, the heat pump removes heat from the heat exchanger and pumps it into the private air delivery system. In the summer, the process is converse, and the heat pump moves heat from the indoor air into the heat exchanger.

Biofuel energy

One of the most prominent and promising renewable energy Biofuels can be converted directly to the liquid fuels. Biofuels is widely used for the transportation. There are various types of Biofuels such as Ethanol, Biodiesel, Bioalcohols, Green Diesel, and Biofuel gasoline, Vegetable Oil, Bioethers, Biogas, Syngas and Solid Biomass Fuels. Ethanol and Biodiesel are the commonly used biofuels. The main aim for introducing Biofuels was to replace Gasoline, Diesel Fuel and Coal. Green Diesel, Biogas. It is having enormous advantage when compared with the fossil fuels such as less greenhouse gases providing greater fuel securities. The use of Biofuel is widely dependent on the land availability. It is made from biological agents such as plant oils or animal through the set of chemical reactions. One of the major advantages for using the Biofuel is that they are renewable energy and don not lead to global warming unlike the fossil fuels. According to few facts, Biofuels is the only renewable energy which can replace the fossil fuels.

Hydro power

One of the most important and large source of renewable energy, Hydropower contributes to 10% of world electricity generation. The flowing water energy is converted to electricity in the hydropower plants. Most commonly the dam water is used. Flowing water through turbines ii used for the power generation. Although there is no air emission however water quality and wildlife habitats can be affected. Work is going on to design the power plants in such a way that it causes minimum affect to the river water. Undoubtedly it improves the wildlife’s river habitat but at the same time cause the reduction in power plant output. Sometimes this power plant hinders the life of the fishes so different approaches are employed such as fish ladders and improved turbines to assist the migration of fishes and lower their death rate.

Biomass energy

Biomass is defined as alive or newly dead organisms and any by-products of those organisms, plant or animal. Biomass can be used to produce renewable power, thermal energy, or transportation fuels (biofuels). It most often refers to plants or plant-based resources which are specifically called lignocellulose biomass. As an energy basis, biomass can either can used as straight via combustion to produce heat, or indirectly converting it to various forms of biofuels and these biofuels can be used for transportation. Firing of biomass and fossil fuels is a low-cost means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving cost-effectiveness, and reducing air pollutants in existing power plants and as well as environment. Animals waste can be a great source for biomass which produces of alternative fuels that can be used to replace fossil fuels. Biomass in the form of dead plants, trees, grass, leaves, crops, manure, garbage’s.

Renewable energy climate change

Sustainable power source is a standout amongst the best devices we have in the battle against environmental change, and there is each motivation to trust it will succeed. An on-going New York Times segment appears to suggest that sustainable power source speculations set back endeavours to address environmental change—nothing could be further from reality. In addition, inexhaustible innovations can progressively spare clients cash as they uproot discharges from petroleum derivatives. Environmental change can truly have a ton of negative outcomes. It is vital to make a move to help diminish the measure of progress that happens and make it not occur so quick. Eventually, the earth will be excessively hot for individuals, making it impossible to live serenely on the off chance that we don't roll out a few improvements. It is as of now having sway on the plant and creature life, and in the event that you truly would prefer not to see it deteriorate the time has come to become environmentally friendly. The nonstop increment of nurseries gases in the air have made temperature rise which is called as nursery impact. In spite of the fact that nursery impact is fundamental for survival of every one of us on this planet however increment of these gases past a point of confinement will just make hurtful impacts for us and this condition. Amid a century ago, earth's normal temperature ascended by 1 degree Fahrenheit which in itself is a reason for concern. One of the advantageous factors for the use of the renewable energy is that it is naturally generated. These sources are constantly replenished such as sunlight, wind, heat and water. The common energy sources are Hydropower, Biomass, Biofuels, Wind, Geothermal and Solar Energy. It often includes commodities such as wood, paper and leather. The sources of renewable energy are present in the natural environment comprising the largest component of ecosystem. These sources are capable enough to replace the conventional sources of energy such as fossil energy by serving into distinct areas such as generation of electricity, Hot water/space heating, motor fuels, and the rural grid off energy services.

Ocean and Marine Energy

Marine or sea vitality alludes to the vitality conveyed by sea waves, tides, saltiness, and sea temperature contrasts. The development of water on the planet's seas makes a huge store of active vitality, or vitality in movement. A portion of this vitality can be tackled to create power to control homes, transport and industries.The seas have an unbelievable measure of intensity and vitality potential. Despite the fact that the marine vitality innovation has not completely conveyed on its potential, there has been, in late time, various zones in marine vitality that has commenced. The UK is accepted to be a main player in Marine vitality. Despite the fact that its ability by and by is in general around 9megawatts, it is on course to convey around 120MW by 2020. Two of these are Wave vitality and Tidal Vitality.

Photovoltaic

Also called as Solar Cells, Photovoltaic cells (PV Cells) convert the sunlight directly into the electricity. By using the cells, Solar PV systems convert the sunlight into electricity. The cell system comprises of one or two layers of a semi conducting material mainly Silicon. Electric field is generated as soon as the light shines on the cells. At the point when light energy strikes the sunlight based cell, electrons are thumped free from the particles in the semiconductor material. In the event that electrical conveyors are joined to the positive and negative sides, framing an electrical circuit, the electrons can be caught as an electric current - that is, power. PV system comprises of PV Modules, Books on PV, Disconnects, Solectria inverter on a Prewired Power Panel, Deep Cycle Battery, C40 Charge Controller and a Midnight PV3 Combiner Box. The performance of a Solar cell is measured depending on it productivity to transform daylight into power. Just daylight of specific energies will work productively to make power, and quite a bit of it is reflected or consumed by the material that makes up the cell. Along these lines, a run of the mill business sun oriented cell has a proficiency of 15%-around one-6th of the daylight striking the cell produces power. Low efficiencies imply that bigger clusters are required, and that implies higher cost.

Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources

With the increasing demand of Renewable energy, Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources (HRES) has been used widely in the remote areas. HRES involves combining of the two renewable energy sources with the aim of providing higher energy efficiency along with the greater energy output. In case of providing higher output load, we can combine the two renewable energy sources resulting to the 100% efficiency. To implement the HRES system there should be a well-defined standardized set of frameworks such as demand assessment, covering areas, resource assessment and the barriers. Some common configurations used in the HRES are: PV/Wind/diesel generator HRES, PV/wind/fuel cell HRES Wind/battery HRES Biomass/wind/diesel generator HRES PV/Wind/Biomass/fuel cell HRES For ensuring continuous supply of power to the load there has to be critical storage technology. There are many types of energy storage that can be used in hybrid renewable energy system for example, compressed air energy storage (CAES), Pumped hydro storage (PHS), hydrogen fuel cells, flywheels, supercapacitors, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) and batteries.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is often called as efficient energy, Energy Efficiency aims to reduce the energy required for proving the products and services. Nowadays, technology is developed and there are so many innovations and advancement in technologies it is becoming essential to make the proper usage of energy which is achieved by the energy Efficiency. Energy Efficiency helps to maintain the environment by protecting the air and preventing the change of climate. It also helps by reducing the emission from power plants. With the decrease amount of energy usage less energy will be needed to generate the power plants resulting in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of air. For balancing economy, energy efficiency plays a vital role. Renewable energy and Energy efficiency are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy policy and these are high priorities in the sustainable energy hierarchy.

Smart grid

A Savvy Network might be a comprehensive goals that utilizes an expansive change of information innovation assets, allowing existing and new gridlines to curtail power waste and vitality costs. Brilliant frameworks will be a basic establishment for the fuse of sustainable power source into the electrical network. Since inexhaustible sources like star and twist square measure variable, it'll be basic to have an interest responsive electrical lattice that utilizations vitality speedily. Keen framework advances have heap applications and changes, together with sensible meters in singular homes to the ability to get to variable and appropriated wellsprings of vitality construct for the most part upon request and accessibility. Sensible meters engage power customers to utilize vitality bolstered esteem signals given as rates fluctua, A Smart Grid may be a comprehensive decision that employs a broad vary of knowledge technology assets, authorizing existing and new gridlines to cut back electricity waste and energy prices. Smart grids are going to be a important foundation for the embodiment of renewable energy into the electrical grid system. For power generation and power distribution and power transmission, grid system is the main role for power enhancement. Smart grid technologies have vast applications and modification, and there will be with sensible meters in individual homes and commercial buildings to the power for access variable and distributed sources of energy based upon demand and available. Astute meters empower electricity shoppers to use energy sustained value signals given as at rates change.

Sustainable development

Supportable Advancement is the dealing with a rule for meeting human change targets while meanwhile dealing with the limit of basic structures to give the ordinary resources and natural framework organizations whereupon the economy and society depend. Reasonable vitality is spotless and can be used over a drawn out stretch of time. Not in any manner like oil subordinates and biofuels that give the weight of the universes essentialness, practical power sources like hydroelectric, sun fueled and wind has imperativeness conveyed far less contamination. Sun based vitality is for the most part used on open halting meters, street lights and the highest point of structures. Wind control has broadened quickly, its offer of generally speaking force use toward the complete of 2014 was 3.1%.

Green energy and economy

Green energy mainly consist of natural energetic processes which will be produces very little pollution. Anaerobic digestion, geothermic power, wind power, small-scale hydropower, solar power, biomass power, periodic event power, wave power, and a few styles of atomic power belongs to the green energy. Green economy can be defined as an economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities, which aims for property development while not degrading the atmosphere in keeping with the United Nations setting Programme. It firmly associated with environmental monetary science, however contains a great deal of politically connected core interest. A green economy is thought of together that is low carbon, asset conservative and socially far reaching. It firmly associated with biological monetary science, however contains a considerable measure of politically connected core interest.

Distributed renewable energy system

Power that is generated during the time of consumption is known as distributed renewable energy. These form of energy is stored in small, gird connected device called as distributed energy resources or distributed energy resource systems. These systems are decentralized, modular and more flexible, that are located close to the load they serve, having capacities of only 10 megawatts (MW) or less. This is generated onsite and is having severe advantages such as eliminating the cost of production, complexity, interdependencies, and inefficiencies associated with the transmission and the distribution. For meeting the regular demand of power supply, small power sources are set up known as distributed renewable energy systems. Solar Panels on the roof of homes and buildings, small wind turbines and electric vehicles are the common examples of distributed renewable energy systems. This form of energy creates the clean, renewable electricity wherever generated. They can be in various forms such as geothermal systems, micro hydroelectric systems.

Power and energy engineering

Power Building is a sub field of Vitality Designing and Electrical Designing that courses of action with the age, transmission, scattering and utilization of electric power and the electrical contraptions related with such systems including generators, motors and transformers. Anyway an awesome piece of the field is concerned with the issues of three-stage air conditioning power – the standard for liberal scale control age, transmission and scattering over the front line world – an imperative division of the field is stressed with the change among air conditioning and DC control and the change of specific power frameworks for instance, those used in flying machine or for electric railroad systems. The Power Frameworks were getting more profitable with taking a break and have transformed into a middle district of Electrical Building field.

Waste to energy

Waste-to-energy or energy-from-waste is that the one of the way of generating energy within the type of electricity and heat, from the first treatment of waste, through this the un-useful amount of energy can be considerably utilized. Waste-to-energy may be a type of energy recovery process .Now a days, Most Waste-to-Energy proceeding manufacture electricity and/or heat directly through combustion, or manufacture flammable fuel goods, like gas, alcohol or artificial fuels, methanol. For new processes like the Ebara fluidization, direct smelting method and also the Thermo- select -JFE and melting technology process for waste to energy process there are vast amount of thermal treatment plants victimized. Waste to energy technology includes aging, which may take biomass and make liquor, exploitation squander plastic or natural material. Inside the aging technique, the sugar inside the waste is changed to nursery outflow and the liquor, inside the similar and general strategy, that is wont to assemble wine. Esterification is also should be possible exploitation waste to vitality innovations, and more, the consequences of this technique are biodiesel. The esteem adequacy of esterification can depend on the feedstock being utilized and each one the inverse important variables like transportation remove, amount of oil blessing inside the feedstock can be improved in the waste to energy process.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is a process used to treat contaminated media like water, soil and subsurface material, by altering environmental conditions to stimulate growth of microorganisms and degrade the target pollutants. For bioremediation process those organisms are used known as bioremediators, are most often bacteria, archaea and fungi due to their rapid growth rate, variable metabolic needs and ability to be genetically manipulated. Bioremediation has been successfully used to clean up pollutants including crude oil, gasoline, pesticides, sewage, and chlorinated solvents used in cleaning supplies. The benefits of bioremediation include lower costs and less interruption of the environment when compared to other clean up methods. Biological treatment is a similar approach used to treat wastes including wastewater, industrial waste and solid waste and other related processes.

Hydrogen economy

One of the most abundant element and high in energy Hydrogen does not occur naturally occur as gas on the Earth. Hydrogen Economy is defined as delivering energy using economy. Hydrogen consists of one atom and one electron. Industrial production of Hydrogen is 4 trillion cubic feet annually. Hydrogen is produced through extraction process called as reforming where heat is applied for the separation of Hydrogen from Carbon. It is transported through the pipeline from its production unit over the road in cryogenic liquid tanker trucks or gaseous tube trailers or rail or barge. However research is going on to produce hydrogen naturally form the natural gas using the process of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel. Hydrogen is used as fuel good as the energy extracted from it is stored and used further. Energy derived from Hydrogen can be delivered to fuel cells and further for the generation of electricity and heat or even for the combustion process. Being good source of energy Hydrogen is also used as fuel for “zero emission’’ vehicles and even fuels the aircraft. Vehicles fuelled with Hydrogen are more energy efficient and use nearly 60% of the fuels energy with 50%reduction in fuel consumption as compared to the conventional vehicle with a gasoline internal combustion. In future, there are chances of using Hydrogen for the electricity generation

Nano environmental technologies

Utilization of nanotechnology which incorporates the control of materials at the extent of the nanometer to green outlining models is "Green nanotechnology". It in like manner suggests the use of the aftereffects of nanotechnology to update reasonability. Keeping up and improving soil, water, and air quality address indisputably the most forcing troubles standing up to overall society in the 21st century. Defilements from such varying sources as oil and manufactured spills, pesticide and manure flood, surrendered present day and mining districts and airborne vaporous and particulate issue from autos decline the condition once every day. Recognizing and treating existing contaminants and balancing new pollution are among the challenges. Use of nano-materials in arranged fields, for instance, redesigning the creation and refining of energies and reduction of releases from autos, essentialness storing (batteries and nano-engaged energy units), to give safe drinking water through improved water treatment, desalination, nano-enabled security and diagram of nano-materials for pollution recognizing and area.

Energy storage and conservation

The mission of Energy Conservation and Energy Storage (ECES) is to facilitate integral research, development, implementation and integration of energy-storage technologies to enhance the energy efficiency of all kinds of energy system and process and to enable the increasing usage of renewable energy rather than the of fossil fuels. Energy storage and the energy transformation is major part of renewable energy usage system. Depending on the form of energy which needs to be balanced and the required storage period, different types of energy storages such as thermal, electrical, material or virtual storages can be used. A device that stores imperativeness is all over called a gatherer. Vitality comes in different structures including electrical potential, compound, gravitational potential, radiation, control, raised temperature, lethargic warmth and dynamic. Vitality Storage incorporates changing over imperativeness from outlines that are difficult to store to simply more supportively or fiscally storable structures. Mass Energy accumulating is correct presently led by hydroelectric dams, both standard and furthermore pumped. The essentialness isn't secured clearly; anyway the work-aftereffect of exhausting Energy (pumping constantly warm) is secured, having the proportionate effect on daytime use.

Emerging technology

Besides of renewable energy technologies like solar, bioenergy, wind and hydro energy technologies other technologies are still under development, and include cellulosic ethanol, hot-dry-rock geothermal power, and marine energy. These technologies are not yet widely established, these technologies have limited commercialization. In cellulosic ethanol process ethanol (ethyl alcohol)is produced from the cellulose (the stringy fiber of a plant) rather than from the plant's seed or plant fruits and also It is a biofuel produced from grasses, wood, algae, or other plants. The fibrous parts of the plants are mostly inedible to animals, including humans, except for ruminants (grazing, cud-chewing animals such as cows or sheep). An enhanced geothermal system (EGS) generates geothermal electricity without the need of natural convective hydro sources or thermal sources. For economical view and for more renewable resources, geothermal power systems have demoralized only resources where naturally occurring energies like heat, water, and rock permeability are sufficient to allow energy extraction. However,by future most of the geothermal energy within reach of conventional techniques in dry and impermeable rock. Enhanced geothermal system technologies enhance or create geothermal resources in this hot dry rock (HDR) through hydraulic stimulation.

Renewable energy benefits business and environment

In the world renewable energy is more secure energy supply – fossil fuels won't last forever and supply is increasingly dependent on imports. In contrast, renewable sources occur naturally, in all regions, and won't run out. Improving environmental credentials and strengthening your brand like dealing with businesses with proven environmental credentials is important to an ever-growing subset of customers and other stakeholders. Improving environmental credentials and strengthening your brand – dealing with businesses with proven environmental credentials is important to an ever-growing subset of customers and other stakeholders. Stable energy costs involved because renewable energy sources are not subject to the same price rises as fossil fuels because of this security. There are many business organizations whose involves in build the renewable energy storage systems and related systems like wind windmills, solar panels, turbines manufacturing plants, water treatment plants for desalination process, biofuels and liquids, geothermal power plants.

Event - SRI 30

The 30th edition of the SRI Conference will take place on November 13-15, 2019 at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Advisor Summit Workshop will take place on November 11-15, 2019. If you are interested in socially responsible investing you need to attend SRI. For 30 years, the SRI Conference has been the most important annual gathering for investors, asset owners, asset managers, financial advisors, researchers, academics, mission-driven organizations, and enterprises who share the common goal of deploying private capital to address some of our most pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Reasons to attend


SRI is one of the fastest growing investment movements with 25 percent of U.S. assets under management. This represents a 38 percent increase since 2016. Three quarters (75%) of investors interested in SRI investing. This spells opportunity for both purpose and profit for financial advisors, asset managers, mission-driven organizations, forward-thinking enterprises, entrepreneurs, and more!

What you will get


Financial advisors: Novices and experienced SRI advisors alike come to learn how to grow their businesses through SRI and tap into this $12+ trillion market. Plus, CE credit is available for CFP and other designees.

Asset owners: Institutional and individual investors attend to learn about new products, including private impact investments for accredited investors, and connect directly with SRI-specialist investment managers and financial advisors.

Asset managers and mission driven organizations: Nonprofits, endowments, foundations, educational institutions, and family offices attend to further their fundraising efforts and explore SRI investment opportunities.

Forward thinking companies: CEOs, treasurers, sustainability officers, and HR professionals come to learn how to apply SRI across an enterprise, to improve profitability, enhance shareowner value, and attract and retain employees.

Entrepreneurs: Start-ups and venture capitalists are drawn to the conference's reputation for incubating new ideas and network with other startups and venture capitalists.

Why SRI


  • Learn from asset managers who are harnessing the power of capital to address social, environmental, and cultural challenges while generating financial return.
  • Connect with others in the SRI community, including asset managers, financial advisors, enterprises, mission-driven organizations, influential public figures, and more.
  • Be Inspired by authentic leaders in the field who are making a difference where they work, live, and invest, every day.

Speakers


Over 100 speakers including Deval Patrick the former Governor of Massachusetts, and the Managing Director, Bain Capital Double Impact. In 2006, in his first bid for public office, Deval Patrick became Massachusetts’s first African-American governor. In his two terms as Governor, Patrick oversaw the expansion of affordable health care to more than 98 percent of state residents, launched initiatives stimulating clean energy and biotechnology, won a national Race to the Top grant, and steered the state out of recession to a 25-year high in employment. Patrick currently serves as a Managing Director of Bain Capital Double Impact, where he focuses on investments that deliver both a competitive financial return and significant positive social impact.

Other speakers include Barbara Roper, Director of Investor Protection, Consumer Federation of America. Richard Powers, Head of ETF Product Development, Vanguard and Carla Vernon President, Natural & Organic Operating Unit, General Mills.

Click here to see the speakers list
Click here to register.

Climate Action Must Include Efforts to End Fossil Fuels

Climate change is a top priority issue in this years federal election. While this is borne our in the polls, a study published by the Public Policy Forum and McGill University found that Canadians are prepared to pay up to 13 cents more per litre for gas if it benefits climate action. The same study found that there is strong support for renewable energy subsidies.

However, Canadians also want fossil fuels. We are obsessed with oil, as revealed by an Angus Reid poll roughly the same percentage of Canadians want climate action (60%) as want oil and gas development (58%). The attempt to pander to these competing interests explains Liberal dualism.

If we are serious about tackling climate change we will need to deal with the elephant in the room. The fossil fuel industry is responsible for the bulk of Canada's anthropogenic GHGs. To make matters worse the industry's emissions have almost doubled since the 1990s and they are responsible for an 80 percent of the increase in Canada's overall emissions. Canada is also home to the tar sands, some of the most carbon intensive forms of energy on Earth they and a deadly threat to biodiversity. Our reliance on fossil fuels is contributing to a mass extinction that is destroying species 1000 times faster than the the natural background rate.

The fossil fuel industry has known they are the leading cause of climate change for decades and to hide this fact they have engaged in self serving subterfuge and sophisticated campaigns of disinformation. They have succeeded in keeping significant pieces of federal climate legislation from becoming law. As documented in an Environmental Defense report the oil and gas industry are the single biggest barrier to climate action in Canada. Tim Gray the Executive Director of Environmental Defense sent an open letter to political leaders telling them to put Canadians ahead of the oil lobby.

As Canada falls short of its climate targets the fossil fuel industry wants to massively increase its carbon output.  The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) released its wish list called "Vote Energy" it includes reduced environmental regulations, lower corporate taxes, more government subsidies and approval of more infrastructure (pipelines and gas terminals). This would increase Canada's GHG emissions by 116 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 which is 60 percent of Canada's carbon budget.

Reducing our reliance on dirty energy really is the answer. To do this we will need to end fossil fuel subsidies, restrict the power of industry lobbyists, and curtail big oil's control over both government and educational institutions.

Polls Reveal Unprecedented Support for Climate Action

Image source: Ecojustice
Polls show that climate and environmental issues have unprecedented support in Canada.  The question is whether this will impact voting behaviors.  There are many reasons why Canadians are concerned about climate change. This includes the fact that Canada is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world.

This is the first time in Canadian history climate change is a priority issue for Canadians. Polls show that Canadians want climate action. More than three quarters (76%) of Canadians agree with the statement that the scientific evidence "clearly shows" climate change is real and caused by human activity.

The Conservative message to Canadians is: "It's time for you to get ahead". This has been the strategy Conservatives use to get elected. Andrew Scheer is much like former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Conservatives track record under Harper reads like a rap sheet of environmental crimes.They are betting that Canadians will put their short term self-interest ahead of the long term national interest and ahead of the health and safety of future generations. However, they may have miscalculated.  According to a poll released in July of this year 61 percent of Canadians want the government to take action on climate change even if the economy suffers.

The Mainstreet poll for iPolitics indicates that more than two thirds of Canadians (68%) agreed that we have a moral responsibility to future generations to curtail our environmental destruction even if that means more taxes.

Support for climate action is strong all across the country. More than 85 percent of respondents support forcing polluters to pay. This may have voting implications that benefit the ruling Liberals carbon pricing scheme, conversely it may not bode well for the Conservatives who have indicated they want to scrap the plan.

In the lead-up to this election there have been hundreds of Green New Deal town halls in Canada. Even the fossil fuel industry is trying to shroud themselves in green aspirations. They have been touting their carbon reduction efforts, while showing support for carbon taxes and climate sequestration. However, as the nation's largest polluter, critics say this is just window dressing and little more than a public relations move. There is little doubt that Canada's fossil fuel industry is banking on a Conservative win. The oil and gas lobby is powerful in Canada and they helped to write the Conservative's "green plan".

All of the four major parties have put forth environmental platforms the include reducing GHG emissions, however, according to a CBC analysis, only the Greens' policy platform will meet or exceed the Paris climate targets.

Planting trees is an important part of climate action. One trillion trees is the new global target. Both the Greens and the Liberals want to plant trees. The former want to plant 2 billion trees while the latter want to plant 10 billion.

According to a survey from Forum Research, the environment was the most important issues for voters followed by the economy.  The July results represent a significant increase in the number of Canadians who prioritze the environment compared to a similar poll in February. Abacus Data's nationwide survey in April revealed that 83 percent of Canadians are quite, very or extremely concerned about climate change. All of these polls indicate that concern for climate is highest in Quebec which is interesting to note given that Quebec is poised to determine the outcome of this election by splitting climate voters.

Support for climate action is strongest among young people so if they get out to vote it will be a game changer. In 2011 young people could have prevented Stephen Harper from becoming Prime Minister, however they did not turn out to vote.

In the wake of climate destroying governments in Ontario and Alberta, a Conservative federal government will likely make it impossible for Canada to achieve its emissions reductions targets.

It is hard to reconcile the fact that Canadians appear to want both climate action and cheap energy.  Some have described this as an "obsession" with fossil fuels. Despite the statistical shift there are reasons to believe that Canadians value their short-term economic well-being over the health, safety and security of their children's futures.  

Hopes that Canadians may vote for climate action are supported by the recent election outcome in B.C. As explained by the IPCC we need to make major efforts in the short term to keep temperatures from surpassing critical thresholds. We have less than a decade before it may be too late.  As one climate activist put it, "the consequences of getting it wrong in October would be devastating".

The Failure of Sustainable Certification Schemes

Green certification schemes are an impediment to environmental action. There are a plethora of certification schemes which purport to guide environmentally friendly decision making. These sustainable endorsements include everything from labels to industry wide initiatives. However, according to a recent report these efforts are counterproductive and require major reforms.

Research from the Changing Markets Foundation, examined voluntary certification schemes for seafood, textiles and palm oil. The main conclusion of this report is that certification has lost its way.

The report, entitled "The False Promise of Certification: how certification is hindering sustainability in the textiles, palm oil and fisheries industries", is based on qualitative research into the identified schemes, interviews with NGO experts and an extensive review of the academic literature.

The researchers concluded that in the vast majority of cases there was little or no evidence to support the claims made by these certification schemes. In some cases companies using the schemes were actively engaged in environmentally destructive practices.

The report indicated that none of the certification schemes have slowed biodiversity loss, deforestation, peatland draining or the loss of biodiversity. The fishing industry and the textile industry are in major need of immediate redress. So is the palm oil industry which is decimating forests and wildlife. It is also killing Indigenous people and destroying their way of life.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a good example of a dysfunctional certification scheme. This gives the false impression impression that palm plantation who are certified under the RSPO are sustainable. Those who are part of the RSPO claim to respect nature and avoid slash and burn agriculture, however, this is simply not true. Corporate interests that invent such schemes as a public relations ploy is eroding public trust in certification.

The public wants to make better informed choices about the products and services they buy so in the absence of credible certification schemes the report contends there are some things we can do. We can prioritize small scale sustainable fisheries; establish and enforce marine reserves and science-based fishing quotas; introduce a moratorium on deforestation and peatland draining in the palm oil sector, establish zero pollution policies and demand greater supply chain transparency.

The report also concludes that many current certification schemes should be abolished and in their place we need ambitious sustainability certification schemes that cover the life cycle of products. Reforms should be based on transparency, independence, a holistic approach with high traceability, and a drive for continuous improvement. 

It is also important to note that the report is explicit in indicating that such certification schemes do not take the place of government oversight, regulation and legislation.

Click here to download the report (pdf) 

Kids May be Our Best Hope of Getting Through to Climate Deniers

Studies show that kids can influence adults in ways that very few others can. This is critical because people who deny the veracity of climate change are almost impossible to reach with science and reason.

According to a 2018 Gallup poll, there is a global warming age gap. The poll found that 70 percent of Americans age 18 to 34 say they worry about climate change, compared to 56 percent of people 55 and older. Kids realize that our failure to act puts their futures in jeopardy. They are aware that we are not doing what we must to address biodiversity loss, sea-level rise, and extreme weather including devastating heat waves. As explained by 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg,"You say you love your children above all else, and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes".

A study published in the research journal Nature Climate Change, found that middle school-aged students who are getting a fact-based climate change education can get through to adults when others can't. According to the researchers at North Carolina State University this may have to do with the fact that parents care about their kids and the political innocence of children. So many climate skeptics have been erroneously led to believe that the science of climate change is political. These kids can get through because they come at the issue from a non-political point of view.

Danielle Lawson, the paper’s lead author, and a recent PhD graduate from North Carolina State University calls kids teaching parents "intergenerational learning"."[W]hen a parent is interacting with their child, they don't view their child through this lens of having an agenda," Lawson said. "It makes for a unique opportunity to open up conversation in a way that we struggle with in normal day to day life."

This study corroborates others which show that kids can change the behaviors of climate skeptics. Social and behavioral psychologists have have found that kids are capable of auguring greater awareness and even behavioral change.

Kids are well positioned to identify their parents reservations and speak directly to their issues. This is called strategic framing. The research shows that when they do this they have a very good chance of changing minds.

However, fossil fuel funded conservative groups are trying to deny kids a fact-based climate education. If kids are deprived of access to the facts they cannot be expected to engage in intergenerational learning.

Related
Kids Teaching Parents about Energy Efficiency

Quebec Voters Poised to Determine the Outcome of Canada's Federal Election

It is looking as though voters in Quebec will decide who forms the next federal government in Canada. After the French language debate support for the Block Quebecois surged as did support for the NDP. This has come at the expense of the Liberals. While the Conservatives cannot expect to gain any ground in the province, the fact that the Liberals may be hemorrhaging support does not bode well for their bid to secure another four years in power.

The outcome of Canada's election may be contingent on young people (18-34). The two key issues for the youth demographic are climate change and affordability. The Conservative platform tries to capitalize on the latter while the Liberals, NDP and Green Party are all vying for the climate vote.  However, this will only mean something if young people turn out to vote. In 2011 young people could have prevented Stephen Harper from becoming Prime Minister, but they did not vote.

There is unprecedented support for climate action and the Liberals may be hurt by their dualism (support for both climate action and fossil fuels). Justin Trudeau's Liberals come in a distant third in terms of their carbon reduction plans, (Elizabeth May's Greens are the only party to meet and exceed the Paris targets). Although Canadians want climate action, strategic voters are concerned that by voting for either the NDP or the Green Party they may inadvertently end up contributing to a Conservative win.

As suggested by their fossil fuel powered green plan, Scheer's Conservatives would be the worst choice for the environment and climate action.  So strategic voters, particularly those in Ontario and BC, have to make some difficult decisions. Vote their conscience and risk splitting the vote, or vote Liberal to stave off a Conservative government.

With the Liberals and the Conservatives neck and neck, the Block Quebecois appears poised to hold the balance of power. The separatist Block Quebecois has made it clear that they will not be part of a coalition government. However, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has indicated that he would be open to a coalition government with the Liberals if the conservatives won.

Related
Polls Reveal Unprecedented Support for Climate in Canada
The Climate Platforms of Canada's Four Major Federal Parties
References to Climate in the 2019 Canadian Federal Leaders Debate
Canada Votes: The Climate Platforms of the Four Major Federal Parties 
The Obsession with Fossil Fuels is a Canadian Disease
Canadian Conservatives Fossil Fuel Powered Green Plan
Canadian Oxymorons and the Dangers of Liberal Dualism