Climate change in the next century could be extremely disruptive, posing a wide range of threats globally. Coastal cities flooded, agricultural lands scorched, the oceans disrupted, tropical disease spreading, glaciers melting–an increased and artificial global warming could induce horrific effects on the environment. It could also invoke sudden economic transition. As socio-economic systems adapt to combat climate change, some people, businesses, and nations will “lose”. Is there a guide to how we may mitigate these losses? And what is currently being done through international efforts in the midst of these challenges?

Is there help for the losers?

The Paris Agreement was a turning point for the planet, representing unprecedented accord on the need to take action to combat climate change through innovation and low-carbon solutions. Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Dion, has made it clear that he aims to make Canada a leader in international efforts to combat climate change. In June of 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau signed the North American Climate, Clean Energy, and Environment Partnership with President Obama of the U.S. and President Nieto of Mexico in an effort to promote a “common commitment to a competitive, low-carbon and sustainable North American economy and society”. In the midst of these large proposals, questions still remain for the next century:

What does the “collapse of the oceans” mean?

How will industries such as agriculture, fishing, industrial farming, and livestock production need to change?

What will its effects on economic stability, trade and political interaction be?

How may Canada mitigate social, economic, and political fallout in its aim to become a global leader to combat climate change?

What role can and should policy play to help the losers?

Speaker’s Biography

Dr. Simon Donner
Simon Donner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia, as well as an associate in UBC’s Liu Institute for Global Issues, The Biodiversity Research Centre, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), the Atmospheric Sciences Program, among others. He is also the director of UBC’s new “Ocean Leaders” program, which provides young researchers with the skills to address tomorrow’s interdisciplinary ocean and climate challenges. Current areas of research include climate change and coral reefs; ocean warming and El Nino; climate change adaptation in the developing world; Canadian and international climate policy; public engagement on climate change.

Event Partner
British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association

Date and Time
Thursday September 22, 2016
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Venue
St. Regis Bar and Grill
602 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, BC  V6B 1Y6

Registration
Please register online before Wednesday September 21, 2016. Contact Terralynn Forsyth at vancouver@thecic.org if you have any questions.
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$10.00

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