News: Climate Justice

Caring professionals see the impacts of climate change first hand. Our government should invest in health care, education, and social work, to both serve the community and address climate change.

This national-level initiative is open to all faith communities and faith-based organizations who wish to take meaningful action for climate justice in the next decade.

COVID-19 has laid bare what we already knew about the precarity and inequity of our existing systems: millions were already living in poverty; climate change was already affecting northern communities’ access to food; a lack of affordable housing stock was already barring newcomers to Canada from successful economic integration; and inadequate funding and disputes between levels of government left many Indigenous communities without the healthcare they need.

We are all bound together in our well-being as people and as a planet. COVID-19 has reminded us that we cannot wash our hands of the shared responsibility of caring for our neighbor or creation.

The campaign, called “For the Love of Creation,” launched April 22, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It sets out several ways they hope to harness the “long history of work in ecological conservation, environmental activism and advocacy for climate justice.”

To mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Canadian churches and faith-based organizations are coming together on a journey of dialogue, advocacy, and action on the issue of climate change. You are invited to journey with us.

A major priority for Canadian action on climate change needs to focus on cities. Successful international examples offer Canada a road map for moving towards carbon neutrality and resource efficiency. We can look to Copenhagen as they rapidly approach their target of becoming the first carbon-neutral city in the world by 2025.

Karri Munn-Venn has been watching the changes in practice wrought by the pandemic and the shifts in perspective it might produce.

Personal actions matter because they help build discipline and habits. But it’s important to pair personal lifestyle changes and acts of discipleship with bold action in public life.

As Canada navigates the tremendous challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, CPJ believes that investments in a just transition are more important than ever.