Navigating Climate Change: Insights from the WUSC International Forum 2024
Isabelle Bujold
In a world where climate change is no longer a distant threat but an urgent reality, conversations surrounding its impact and the necessary actions to mitigate it are paramount. On February 9, 2024, a panel discussion featuring three distinguished participants including Nina Lantinga, Katherine Robitaille, and Mikaila Boyd, shed light on various facets of climate change, its effects on Canada and beyond, as well as the collective actions required to address this global challenge.
Photo by Nour Wahid
Panel discussion
What are the key challenges and what are the opportunities we have when facing climate change in Canada?
According to Nina, Canada boasts remarkable natural resources, yet there's a pressing need for enhanced resource management and efficiency. Unfortunately, comprehensive circularity index data is lacking for the nation, exemplified by Quebec's modest score of 3.4, indicating inefficiencies in resource utilisation. It's imperative to reconsider our production methods, consumption patterns, and behaviours to mitigate these challenges. For Nina, embracing a shift from linear to circular models in our product supply chains holds promise. Prioritizing biodiversity conservation and exploring innovative solutions for recycling plastics from oceans not only combats biodiversity loss but also reduces our reliance on crude oil—a crucial step towards a more sustainable future.
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How can we work together to achieve climate goals?
Mikailla noted that identifying the most vulnerable stakeholders in climate action is paramount to crafting effective solutions. Amidst this challenge, the private sector has emerged as a significant player, actively engaging in the development of innovative solutions to combat climate change. Furthermore, empowering farmers to participate in carbon credit markets provides a dual benefit: not only does it incentivize sustainable agricultural practices, but it also generates revenue to finance future climate resilience efforts. It's imperative that everyone, regardless of background or affiliation, actively participates in the dialogue and contributes to the development and implementation of solutions to safeguard our planet's future.
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What are Canada’s key climate commitments and how is the progress?
Katherine highlighted that collaboration with other nations is essential and we must guard against adopting a "white savior" mentality, ensuring that our efforts are inclusive and respectful of diverse perspectives and voices, particularly those of women. By prioritizing gender equality and embracing inclusive practices, we can foster genuine collaboration and enact more effective and equitable climate policies on the international stage.
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How are Canadians and the international community measuring progress towards net zero?
Nina highlighted a critical deficiency in our data infrastructure, stressing the necessity of establishing a foundational understanding – a baseline – to effectively monitor progress. To address this, Nina reminded us of the federal plastic registry initiative. The Federal Plastics Registry will require producers to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they place on the Canadian market, how it moves through the economy, and, most importantly, how it is managed at its end-of-life. By comprehensively assessing plastic usage and disposal, stakeholders can pinpoint areas ripe for improvement and implement targeted interventions. Additionally, she advocated for a closer examination of supply chains through the concept of "in-setting," encouraging stakeholders to reassess each stage of the value chain for opportunities to reduce emissions and foster sustainability.
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Questions from the audience
How can businesses and industries effectively transition to circular economies?
Nina emphasized the necessity for businesses to conduct a thorough analysis of their products or processes, regardless of their sector. This involves scrutinizing existing infrastructure and leveraging available technologies. She urged businesses to identify areas for innovation and implement sustainable practices to foster the transition towards circular economies.
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What needs to be done to make fair trade products more accessible in terms of price?
Mikaila highlighted the importance of both consumer demand and corporate engagement in making fair trade products accessible in terms of price. By fostering increased demand and advocating for broader adoption, fair trade practices could continue to gain traction and become more and more accessible to all consumers. Key strategies:
Increased demand for fair trade products can lead to economies of scale, making them more affordable for consumers.
Integrating fair trade principles into mainstream markets can improve product availability and competitive price.
Bring multinational corporations to invest in fair trade even if a high initial investment is required.
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How are indigenous populations disproportionately affected by climate change, and what actions can we take to address this disparity?
Katherine stressed the necessity of actively listening to indigenous communities and to prioritize their perspectives and experiences to better understand the unique challenges they face in the wake of climate change.
She also advocated for recognition of their inherent knowledge and connection to the land, and the need to respect their sovereignty and agency in determining the most effective climate change solutions for their communities.
Katherine also highlighted the work of organizations like Indigenous Climate Action, which have played a crucial role in advocating for policies that respect indigenous sovereignty and promote decolonization within climate action strategies.
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The panellists’ call to action
Nina Lantinga:
As co-founder and President at Nets for Net Zero, Nina strives to build a circular system to solve the biggest plastic problem in our oceans today, abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear. Despite the gravity of the situation, Nina remains resolute in her belief that we can address climate change and curb rising temperatures. She implores us to take a moment, reflect on our values, and tap into our creativity to transform economies and secure a sustainable future.
Mikaila Boyd:
Mikaila, specializing in cocoa at FairTrade Canada, is dedicated to trade justice, climate change adaptation, fair wages for farmers, and ethical consumption. Her goal is to increase accessibility to Fairtrade certified cocoa products for consumers. She advocates for a focus on organic, non-GMO products, and making mindful choices in our daily lives to favor a larger shift towards sustainability.
Katherine Robitaille:
Katherine, a PhD candidate at Université Laval, focuses on management, administrative science, and related areas such as organization, climate justice, environmental and social justice from intersectional feminist and ecofeminist perspectives. She believes that collective action is key and she recommends reading "The End of this World" to gain insights into the urgency of the situation and explore avenues for action.
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