David Suzuki Foundation Blog

Momentum is building online

Fri, 16 Oct 09 02:30:00 UT

With the UN climate summit only 51 days away you can feel the temperature rising in the social media world. Today the David Suzuki Foundation participated in the biggest day of action in the blogosphere: over ten thousand blogs focusing on climate change from every imaginable angle.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been communicating with the David Suzuki Foundation Facebook and Twitter communities. It's amazing to see our fans so actively engaged. The dialogue is really interesting.

We've been blown away by the response to David Suzuki's action alert this week. Over 10,000 messages were sent to Canada's prime minister and opposition leaders in the House of Commons. You can help build momentum and get 20,000 messages to Canada's prime minister by encouraging your friends to take part.

We appreciate everyone's involvement at this crucial time. Stay tuned to the Foundation's Facebook, Twitter (@DavidSuzukiFDN), blog, and campaign pages and help us keep the momentum going.

By Ryan Kadowaki, Program Coordinator at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Climate change increases the risk of species extinction

Fri, 16 Oct 09 02:00:00 UT

Scientists warn us that our planet is undergoing a major wildlife crisis on par with earlier mass extinction events in the earth's history.

It is estimated that some 16,000 species are currently threatened with extinction, including 12 per cent of birds, a quarter of all mammals and a third of amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders. Among the most vulnerable wildlife, are plants and animals that are iconic to Canadians: such as polar bears and grizzlies, salmon and woodland caribou.

The effects of climate change are predicted to sharply increase the risk of species extinction within our children's lifetime. Indeed, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 20 - 30% of all plants and animals that we share this planet with today, face a premature risk of extinction directly as a consequence of climate change.

To protect the biological richness that we are blessed with we need to radically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by using less fossil fuels and by protecting our old growth forests, wetlands, grasslands, peatlands and other ecosystems which sequester and store carbon dioxide in their vegetation and soils. Protecting ecosystems also promotes ecological resiliency so that species and ecosystems can cope and adapt to the effects of climate change itself.

By Dr. Faisal Moola, PhD, Director of Terrestrial Conservation and Science at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

A word from David Suzuki on Blog Action Day

Fri, 16 Oct 09 01:30:00 UT

The world is counting down to the climate-change meetings in Copenhagen in December.

As a northern nation with the longest marine coastline of any nation, Canada has people, economic sectors and ecosystems that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Inuit have been telling us for decades that they are witnessing the effects of climate change in the Arctic. Because our economy depends on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism, which are all very climate sensitive, our economic future will be impacted.

It is in Canada's best interest to take strong action to reduce our emissions. And do not be placated by promises of carbon capture and storage (CCS). This is a completely untried technology with enormous problems of cost as well as unanswered questions about long-term stability of the carbon put under ground as well as the ecological implications of underground storage. CCS is pie-in-the-sky technology meant to lull us into thinking we can carry on with business as usual. We cannot.

Indications are that the Government of Canada is doing all it can to water down science-based targets and timetables. We can make a difference by letting the government know that we want Canada to sign an ambitious, fair and binding agreement at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen in December. One simple thing you can do right now is send a message to Canada's prime minister and leaders of the opposition in the House of Commons. Yesterday, 8,000 Canadians sent a message and joined millions of people around the world taking action. You can send your message from our UN Climate Summit page.

By David Suzuki

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Climate change a challenge for many critters

Fri, 16 Oct 09 00:30:00 UT

(photo credit Adam Minter)

The wolverine is the largest land member of the weasel family. Female wolverines need areas with deep snow from February to early May in order to make dens that provide insulation for their kits, the same way an igloo provides insulation for people. With climate change and less snow - denning areas are becoming scarce for these shy creatures.

The pika looks like a cross between a rabbit and a hamster. They live in high-elevation areas among big boulders and scurry around all year collecting food. Climate change is turning out to be really inconvenient for these guys according to studies from the U.S. Reasons for their decline may be that increases in temperature are causing them to overheat and the plants they eat are dying earlier than usual in the year.

By Michelle Connolly, Science Technician at the David Suzuki Foundation.

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Pacific salmon would appreciate action on climate change

Thu, 15 Oct 09 23:45:00 UT

Climate change is already affecting Pacific salmon in Canada.

Increasing river temperatures have contributed to the loss of millions of sockeye salmon as they attempt to migrate upstream to spawn. Warmer waters and altered flows also affect baby salmon as they incubate in gravels over the winter and start their life in freshwater. Changing ocean conditions, including increasing water temperature and ocean acidification, affect the availability and location of food that juvenile salmon depend on to grow large and survive in marine environments.

To protect this icon of Canada, shaping our culture, industry and identity, we must do our part to address climate change. We owe it to the salmon, and we owe it to ourselves.

By Jeffery Young, Aquatic Biologist at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

How I'm taking action on climate change

Thu, 15 Oct 09 21:15:00 UT

How can I get as many letters as possible to the Prime Minister, asking for real action on climate change in Copenhagen?

I'm inviting everyone I know, from all my networks, to an afternoon open/house letter writing 'bee' at my home. That group includes friends, family, coworkers, neighbours - everyone on my contact lists. I'm asking them to bring their friends and children, too - anyone old enough to sign a letter to the Prime Minister.

I'll have sample letters printed so people can personalize and sign them, then I'll collect all of those up and mail 'em altogether to the House of Commons. I hope we get a least 100!

We'll have snacks and drinks and, depending on who shows up, we might sit around and sing songs. Nothing like a little music to galvanize community spirit!

By Gail Mainster, Outreach Coordinator at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Impact of rising emissions also felt below the waves

Thu, 15 Oct 09 20:00:00 UT

What happens when six million tonnes a day of carbon dioxide is absorbed by the world's oceans? Simply stated the ocean becomes increasingly acidic.

The globe's ocean chemistry has been relatively stable over geological and evolutionary time scales. In one hundred years the oceans are expected to reach acidity levels not seen for 20 million years. The implications of the change are far reaching.

Many of the ocean's marine organisms, such as crabs, corals, krill and clams, have a calcium carbonate shell which dissolves under acidic conditions, meaning all these animals will need to expend more energy just to maintain their shells. These species provide the foundation of the entire marine food web.

Cooler waters dissolve CO2 better than warmer waters, meaning Canada's waters, especially the Arctic are at greater risk. Already, the science is indicating that within 10 years, 10% of Arctic waters will reach corrosive levels. Increasing acidity is linked to the laws of chemistry and therefore there is only one thing that can be done to reduce the rate of change; that is, reduce the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

By Scott Wallace, Sustainable Fisheries Analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Businesses re-think and improve practices in the face of climate change

Thu, 15 Oct 09 19:00:00 UT

Climate change is a challenge, for sure, but it's also an opportunity to re-think the way we do things, and do them better.

Many businesses around the world, from small companies like Salt Spring Coffee Company to larger ones like Hbc and Walmart, are already taking action. They've discovered that shrinking their carbon footprints means saving energy, and this means saving money. Other businesses, like the Beach Solar Laundromat in Toronto, Mountain Equipment Co-op and Johnson & Johnson, are using clean, renewable energy sources as an alternative to conventional fuels.

These businesses and many others, both large and small, are showing us that we have the solutions to climate change within our reach. What we need now is strong leadership at all levels of government, to put in place the framework that will promote innovation throughout the marketplace, and make clean energy and efficiency part of everyone's lives.

By acting now, we can meet the challenge of climate change, and look forward to a bright future. If this sounds like where you want to be, check out our web page on the upcoming U.N. Climate Summit, and use the easy link to send your message to Canada's prime minister. Let him know that you want Canada to be among the world leaders putting forward solutions to climate change, not roadblocks. For more about what businesses can do, see our guide, Doing Business in a New Climate.

By Deborah Carlson, Climate Change Campaigner at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Eco cleaning cuts emissions

Thu, 15 Oct 09 17:45:00 UT

As you know, most conventional cleaning products are made from petroleum-based solvents. If you use environmentally friendly cleaners free from petroleum-based ingredients, you'll be well on your way to reducing carbon emissions at home. It's an easy and clean way to reducing your personal carbon footprint. Cutting out your use of bleach and chlorine-based ingredients also reduces energy use, since much of the world's chlorine is still produced by methods that consume high amounts of energy. Conservation begins at home.

By Lindsay Coulter, Outreach Coordinator and Queen of Green at the David Suzuki Foundation

Join Lindsay at http://www.queenofgreen.ca/ to learn how to detox and make your own products.

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.

Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century

Thu, 15 Oct 09 16:30:00 UT

“Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21st century.” That is the opening line of a report published last spring by the distinguished medical journal, The Lancet and University College London. A growing body of research points to wide-ranging impacts of climate change on health. Global warming extends the reach and accelerates the spread of infectious diseases. Climate change-related infrastructure vulnerabilities, weather extremes, and air quality problems take a toll on human health.

Somebody call 9-1-1. Healthy people need a healthy planet.

By Lisa Gue, Environmental Health Policy Analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation

This post is part of Blog Action Day 2009.