Friends of the Earth’s work on energy in the 1980s assessed the potential for federal and provincial jurisdictions to embrace a “soft path” – the adoption of renewable energy and technologies supported by robust conservation and efficiency.  In the 80s, we mobilized the public to campaign against global warming and to save the ozone layer.  The latter campaign focussed on first designing, then implementing the Montreal Protocol to ban ozone depleting chemicals, a significant success story for Canada. Sadly, Canada’s record for climate action has been underwhelming. Friends of the Earth’s litigation, a first in the world against climate inaction, took the Canadian government to court over missing its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act.

Currently, we’re intervening at the Supreme Court to argue for federal provincial cooperation on the pressing issue of climate change that includes addressing legal obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of women and girls in the context of climate change.

We’re campaigning for systemic change in the biggest pension fund in Canada – your CPP – because every Canadian contributes to it and because changes in its policy will set an example for other pension plans and financial institutions. CPP Investments must be told by its trustees (our federal and provincial finance Ministers) to support climate action and a green recovery from COVID-19. And, the CPP Investment officials and staff must be held accountable for their actions.

Finally, we want Canadians to understand that the fossil fuel industry is responsible for plastic pollution as well as climate chaos.  Climate action includes working towards zero plastic waste.