We’re in this together

Climate change is the quintessential collective problem. It affects us all — and we all can (and need to) contribute to solutions. Recognizing that we’re all in this together entails sharing responsibility for achieving our goal, and ensuring positive collaboration between all levels of government — Indigenous, municipal, provincial, federal and global.

No One Left Behind

Vulnerability to the social, economic, health, and other impacts of climate change is uneven, so it’s important to pay attention to who’s likely to bear the greatest risks and costs as we design emissions reduction and adaption plans.   

Of particular concern for Gen Squeeze is the fact that the lion’s share of climate impacts and adaptation costs will fall on younger people, simply because they will have to cope longer with a changing climate. To avoid the worst dangers of climate change, young people will have to change where they work, what they eat, how they commute, how they holiday, and much more.  They’re left to shoulder this climate debt largely because older generations have so far chosen to avoid the inconvenience of making (and paying for) the policy, lifestyle, and other choices required to reduce emissions.

Some groups and communities will experience greater climate impacts because of the social and economic inequalities that shape our wellbeing and affect our ability to respond or adapt to changing climate conditions.  Marginalization, discrimination, and social isolation can limit access to supports and services. Limited income may mean fewer options to prepare for or recover from climate damage. These uneven risks should be central to the design of climate change action plans, so that the benefits of climate action spread equitably across the country. This includes specific consideration for ensuring that climate action is undertaken in ways that advance reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous peoples. 

In a large country like Canada, there are also regional differences in the impacts of climate change, and emission reduction and adaptation efforts. Regions most impacted by the transition away from fossil fuels should receive the support they need to secure a fair transition. This includes attention to disproportionate impacts of climate change for northern, remote, and coastal areas. 

Uneven regional impacts also extend beyond Canada’s borders. We should consider historical carbon emissions using a global ‘fair share’ lens that considers discrepancies in the source of emissions (developed countries) versus who is experiencing a disproportionate share of the impacts (often developing countries). Our emissions reduction and adaptation plans should help vulnerable regions and countries adapt to, or recover from, the impacts of a changing climate.

Reduce emissions AND adapt to climate risks

Science confirms that reducing emissions is critical. But designing and implementing measures to adapt to a changing climate is also essential to reduce costs for our economy, infrastructure, and health. As outlined in a 2022 report from the Canadian Climate Institute, combining emissions reduction with adaptation measures can reduce the costs of climate change by as much as 75% — considerably more than through acting on emissions alone.