Food security, economy hit hard by climate change

David Suzuki Foundation calls on all levels of government to choose action instead of leaving the future to chance

VANCOUVER, March 31, 2014 /CNW/ - Climate change is set to impact everyday affordability for Canadian families, according to the Second Installment of the Fifth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The report, which focuses on the impacts of climate change and how to cope with them (adaptation), outlines how sweeping changes to our climate from the buildup of heat-trapping emissions will mean higher food prices, direct threats to our homes and communities and a hit to our economy—unless all orders of government act now.

"Climate change is more than just an environmental issue," said David Suzuki Foundation science and policy manager Ian Bruce. "This is an economic and security issue that will impact everyone from the biggest cities to the smallest towns."

"Communities and the families who call them home deserve our support now, and every level of government has a responsibility to help solve the climate change crisis," Bruce said.

The David Suzuki Foundation is calling on all levels of government to take responsible action now to make sure Canadians don't struggle to afford food and to ensure our economy remains strong. "One place where we can make a difference today is investing in green infrastructure," said Bruce. "We need to get started on projects that help cool our cities during extreme heat and absorb water to reduce the kind of catastrophic flooding we saw in Calgary and Toronto last year."

Bruce stressed that government can also help industry develop more sustainable practices to deal with a changing climate. "Every segment of Canada will feel the pinch—from forestry and seafood to farming and mining. That's why it's so important that we take action today, because the longer we delay, the higher the costs and losses will be."

"We've seen leadership from cities and some provinces to address climate change, but we need to do more to reduce the carbon emissions that are driving this problem," Bruce said. "After all, our health and safety will be determined by the choices we make now."

For IPCC media release and report:
http://www.ipcc.ch/

David Suzuki Foundation media backgrounder is available here:
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/DSF_IPCC_WG2_Backgrounder.pdf

Image with caption: "David Suzuki Foundation (CNW Group/David Suzuki Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140331_C7510_PHOTO_EN_38452.jpg

SOURCE: David Suzuki Foundation

Contact:

Alvin Singh
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[email protected]

Manon Dubois (Quebec)
[phone]
[email protected]