Climate Emergency - Government Response?

In this episode of the Climate Emergency Forum the discussion focuses on the global response to climate emergencies declared by over 2,000 governments worldwide. Herb Simmens, the host, introduces the conversation by questioning the tangible outcomes of these declarations and highlights the gap between intention and action. Dr. Peter Carter, an IPCC reviewer and climate advocate, provides a sobering analysis of global emissions trends using data from Climate Action Tracker. He emphasizes that while some countries, like China, are making strides in clean energy production, their continued reliance on coal undermines progress. Carter also critiques the widespread adoption of “net zero” targets over zero emissions and stresses the urgent need for immediate and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

This video was recorded on February 19th, 2025, and published on March 4th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.

Charles Gregoire, a co-founder of the Climate Emergency Forum, explores the tools governments use to address climate emergencies. He discusses strategies such as climate action plans, national adaptation strategies, and the integration of a “climate lens” into policy decisions. Using examples like Canada’s enhanced 2030 targets and Ottawa’s carbon budget framework, Charles illustrates both the complexity and necessity of planning for climate resilience.

The dialogue concludes with reflections on the challenges of translating emergency declarations into meaningful action. Herb shares his firsthand experience with Montgomery County, Maryland’s climate emergency declaration in 2017, highlighting its ambitious targets but limited follow-through. He critiques “placebo plans” that lack actionable components and suggests time-limited climate emergencies as a potential solution to maintain urgency and accountability. The panelists collectively emphasize that while tools like climate assessments and planning frameworks are critical, they must be paired with strong political will to drive transformative change.

Links:

• Climate Action Tracker

• UN Climate Secretariat

• Global Energy Monitor

• China’s construction of new coal-power plants ‘reached 10-year high’ in 2024

• Landmark ICJ climate change hearing concludes; opinion expected in 2025

• Paris Agreement

• Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

• Expert reaction to Met Office data suggesting carbon dioxide emissions are off track for limiting global warming to 1.5°C

• Climate Change Resilience (CEF Video)

• Adaptation and Mitigation

• Canada Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act

• Clean Air Partnership

• Whole-of-Government Approach to Climate Adaptation

• Steering responses to climate change from the centre of government - A Stocktaking

• Finding our balance with nature: introducing Planetary Solvency

Regular Panelists:

• Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute

• Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.

Video Production:

• Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader

• Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

Attributions:

Background Music:

• Title: Through the City II
• Author: Crowander
• Source: crowander.com

Image and Video:

• Image and Video Attributions