It is important to start pressing the Canadian government to work on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Elizabeth May told about 220 students at Dawson College March 5. \u201cCanada has signed on to all the SDGs,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dawson College is working to advance SDGs across Canada in partnership with eight other colleges. Elizabeth was at the College as a special guest in Anna-Liisa Aunio\u2019s Environmental Seminar. Several other classes joined for the occasion.<\/p>\n
Due in 10 years <\/strong><\/p>\n The SDGs are due in 10 years. Elizabeth May believes it is possible to meet the goals, but it will take political will. \u201cIt will require unimaginable efforts by every government on earth,\u201d she said. \u201cWe need to attain these goals and save our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we don\u2019t reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, there is no second chance,\u201d she said. \u201cThe concept of global average temperature doesn\u2019t sound like a big deal. The difference on earth between now and 10,000 years ago, when ice was everywhere, was only five degrees!\u201d<\/p>\n Elizabeth explained that if the average global temperature is allowed to increase by two degrees, it could trigger self-accelerating unstoppable climate change. \u201cWe have to aim for as far below two degrees as possible. 1.5 degrees should be the maximum. We are gambling right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Climate change means that many species are threatened and habitats are becoming inhospitable, Elizabeth said. For example, some aquatic creatures are having trouble forming shells off Vancouver Island.<\/p>\n Our house is on fire <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cGreta Thunberg is right. Our house is on fire, and we are arguing about having people over for dinner,\u201d Elizabeth said. \u201cWe have all the tools and technology we need to address this.\u201d<\/p>\n However, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about the climate crisis. Elizabeth shared her frustration with politicians and journalists who don\u2019t understand basic climate science, and speak about a two per cent difference in temperature instead of two degrees when discussing climate change.<\/p>\n Canada is warming faster than other countries and is less committed to taking action, warned Elizabeth.<\/p>\n Getting rid of fossil fuels <\/strong><\/p>\n She believes that Canada can benefit by getting rid of fossil fuels. The economy would benefit from cleaning up the oil sands, retrofitting buildings to be energy efficient and carbon negative, as well as building new green infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a nation of smart people. We don\u2019t have any internal wars or struggles. We are in a good place to change the course of our environmental policies and help the rest of the world to do this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem is the people we elect to office. They would take action if they believe they have to act or we will not re-elect them,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t let anyone tell you that you don\u2019t have the power to make changes.\u201d<\/p>\n Elizabeth encouraged students to write letters to Members of Parliament and use social media to push for climate action. \u201cBe vegan, walk and cycle, but don\u2019t do that at the expense of political action. Let them feel the impact of your political footprint. Be a sasquatch!\u201d<\/p>\n Dawson can do it! <\/strong><\/p>\n April 22 is Earth Day and this year is the 50th<\/sup> anniversary of Earth Day. \u201cIt is a good opportunity to get people to pay attention,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen you get thousands of people marching, people in Quebec City and Ottawa pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n Elizabeth recalled that Earth Day was about teach-in\u2019s at the beginning. \u201cSee if you can make it work. If anyone can do it, Dawson College can do it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n