The 3 Crises Climate Change Climate change is a no longer a future threat. But there are reasons for hope. The climate crisis is here. Forests are burning. Oceans are rising. Climate change is no longer a future threat. You are living in it now, as you read this. The main problem is carbon. Deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, where it remains for up to 1,000 years. This creates a “greenhouse effect” that traps heat. Most of the carbon dioxide released during the Industrial Revolution is still in the atmosphere today – and it’s only getting worse. Studies show we have less than a decade to prevent temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees. Anything more would be catastrophic. As a global community, we are not on track to hit that target. But here at JGIC, there are reasons for hope. Climate Change: Reasons for Hope Share this video with friends and family to remind them that hope for a better world is in their hands. By the Numbers Temperatures 7 of the last years have been the hottest in recorded history. What We Need 1.5° is the bare minimum increase to avert catastrophe. What We’re Facing 2.7° is the projected temperature increase this century. The Convergence of 3 Crises Here’s how climate change connects with biodiversity loss and environmental inequity. Climate change causes increased ocean acidity and different precipitation patterns. These cause massive changes to habitats for millions of species, leading to biodiversity loss. These species are forced to migrate to other areas, changing their roles within highly-interconnected ecosystems that are sensitive to change. Environmental impacts are often caused by those in positions of privilege, but are borne by more vulnerable groups. People who have access to wealth and resources often have a disproportionately large carbon footprint based on their consumption habits. This comes at great environmental cost to marginalized communities in Canada and in other countries. Current and future generations will bear the greatest burdens of climate change, although previous generations have caused it. We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place ― or not to bother. Dr. Jane Goodall How We’re Tackling Climate Change Africa Programs Building Community Resilience to Climate Change in Senegal We’re supporting communities in Senegal, particularly women, to implement nature-based solutions to climate change. Photo: Maraîchage-Badiari Learn More Canada Programs Roots & Shoots Youth Program We’re empowering young people to lead their own initiatives that tackle the convergence of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental inequity here in Canada. Learn More News & Updates News and Updates U of T Students Empower Educators: New Guides Address Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Environmental Equity Attention young activists and educators of Toronto! Our beloved city faces significant threats, and we must rise to the challenge. Students from the University of Toronto have created resources to help! A dedicated team of student volunteers from the University of Toronto have created educator resources about three unprecedented crises that students face: biodiversity loss, […] Read More Dr. Jane The Hopecast S2 E15: Margaret Atwood This episode of the Hopecast features a conversation between two “one and only” icons: Dr. Jane Goodall and celebrated author, inventor, and environmentalist Margaret Atwood brought together through an interview for Harper’s Bazaar’s March issue and for Women’s History Month. Margaret has written over 50 books of various genres including The Handmaid’s Tale, a renowned dystopian novel that has […] Read More News and Updates Our New Strategy Our society is now facing 3 global crises: climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental inequity. These crises affect and magnify each other. And they are the focus of our new strategic plan. If substantive action to address the issues had begun back when scientific evidence first emerged, we would not be staring them in the […] Read More
