Our MP's have worked hard over the last few months to hammer out a new piece of legislation in the fight against climate change. The Clean Air Act contains tough new provisions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from industry and vehicles. Unfortunately, unless the Conservative government brings the bill back before the House for a vote, it will die on the order paper 
VTACC developed a do-it-yourself Valentines Campaign kit in which we subtly modified classic Valentines to send a call for action on climate change. Each kit contained cards addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Environment Minister John Baird, and Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and, of course, a card that could be addressed to any MP, to ensure that everyone on Parliament Hill was included!
This was VTACC's inaugural event, which we planned because of frustration over lack of government action on climate change. The BC government's decision to build two new coal fired power generating plants was the last straw, and provided the catalyst for us to form VTACC: Voters Taking Action Against Climate Change.News and Groups
Here you will find links to useful news sources, summaries of climate science (as well as tips for talking to and refuting the arguments of climate skeptics), and organisations active on the ground in BC and Canada in the fight to stop global warming.
News Sources
The Guardian Unlimited
The Guardian closely follows climate science and climate change politics in Europe. It provides a European perspective into the urgency of the climate crisis, measures being taken to fight climate change, and impacts of climate change, as well as useful summaries of major scientific and policy documents such as IPCC reports and the Stern report. It is also a source of good opinion pieces such as those by George Monbiot.
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechangeThe New Scientist
This site includes information on the political and economic aspects of fighting climate change as well as the underlying science of the problem. The site also features Climate Change: a guide for the perplexed which offers an excellent overview of the problem as well as rebuttals to common claims by climate change skeptics. The site is continually updated.
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/climate-changehttp://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/dn11462
Earth Wire
Gleanings from a host of international news sources, updated daily. If no amount of climate change news is too much, head here.
http://www.earthwire.org/climate/DeSmogBlog
This is a very interesting site that takes apart mainstream media coverage to expose contradictions, confusion, sloppy reporting and industry funded denial of the climate crisis. It is updated daily, covering a wide range of media sources, locally based and read around the world. DeSmogBlog also provides good news stories of inspiring actions and humour to keep you going, as well as timely updates on IPCC reports etc. The site provides good links to key sites, an ever expanding data base of bought and paid for climate change deniers who are regularly quoted in the media, and pithy summaries of things like "the scientific consensus on climate change."
http://www.desmogblog.com/How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic
This site is provided by Grist Magazine, a good source of environmental news and commentary. It is regularly updated, well organised and definitely worth a visit in preparation for the next time someone says to you "OK, but lots of people say climate change isn’t really happening…" You'll never have to seethe or splutter again.
http://gristmill.grist.org/skepticsNational Public Radio/National Geographic Climate Connections
A wealth of information on global warming, and a welcome voice of reason on climate change from the United States. Surfing through these two sites will give you hope that the US may yet be a source of courage, innovation and positive action in the fight to stop global warming.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9657621http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/climateconnections?fs=www7.nationalgeographic.com
Royal Society Climate Change Site
This is a very useful web site. It contains good summaries of global and national climate policies, and analyses of policy options. The section entitled "Climate Change Controversies: A Simple Guide" is a nice complement to the information provided by the New Scientist and Grist Magazine.
The Science, and Interpretation of the Science
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The IPCC is the source of the quarterly reports in 2007 which drove much of the media coverage on climate change that year. When you read that "scientists say that it is very likely (a greater than 90 percent chance) that human activity has caused warming of the earth's atmosphere," you are reading a reference to these reports.
Undistilled deep background -- don't forget to come up for air.
http://www.ipcc.ch/Real Climate
Their own introduction says it best: "Real Climate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream commentary. The discussion here is restricted to scientific topics and will not get involved in any political or economic implications of the science." The site is well indexed with an extensive archive. This is a good place to get an understanding of what is in the IPCC reports.
http://www.realclimate.org/The Stern Review
Nicholas Stern is the British economist who was commissioned by the UK government to write a report on the economic costs of climate change. His review is the source of the widely quoted argument that we have the choice between spending $1 now to reduce emissions and avoid the worst effects of climate change, or spending $20 later to deal with the ongoing impacts. The site is accessible, and a good summary of the science to the time the report was released.
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/ stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfmGroups working on ways to fight global warming in BC
Dogwood Initiative
This is the go-to group when you want thoughtful analysis of issues related to BC’s off shore oil exploration moratorium, the environmental threat of oil tankers off of the BC Coast, impacts related to oil and gas and coal bed methane development and exploration in Northern BC.
http://www.dogwoodinitiative.org/BC Sustainable Energy Association
The BCSEA works to promote sustainable sources of energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation. Their web site provides a wealth of information on sustainable energy. Their work covers the full range from policy analysis and advocacy to practical applications of sustainable energy.
http://www.bcsea.org/Smart Growth BC
Over the long term, serious emission reductions will require fundamental changes to how we organise our communities. Smart Growth works to help build more livable communities that are compact, provide complete services and are pedestrian friendly. The organization’s work helps to preserve farm land and natural areas and reduce emissions associated with urban living. Smart Growth on the Ground works directly with communities to provide planning and visioning services.
http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/Livable Region Coalition
The LRC works tirelessly to increase public awareness of the environmental folly known as the Gateway Project, the provincial government's plan for massive highway and port expansion in the Lower Mainland of BC. Visit their site to find out who is doing what to oppose this project, and learn how you can help promote sustainable alternative transportation solutions for the region.
http://www.livableregion.ca/blog/blogshttp://www.livableregion.ca/
Groups working on climate change in Canada
The Climate Action Network
CAN is a coalition of Canadian Environmental Groups working for change at the National Level. CAN is active in policy analysis and advocacy. You can subscribe to their regular information and news updates, which are a great way to stay informed on what's happening in other jurisdictions and across Canada.
http://www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/Pembina Institute
Pembina is active in policy analysis and research at the federal and provincial level. They provided major input into the Federal Liberal Climate Change Action plan, the Carbon Budget. They also provided input to the committee hearings on Bill C30, the proposed Clean Air Act. They staff serious number crunchers who provide detailed responses to government policy and advocate for well thought out solutions.
http://climate.pembina.org/David Suzuki Foundation
DSF is also active in policy analysis and advocacy at the federal level. Their site provides summaries of the science and potential impacts of climate change, information on what you can do in your own life to make a difference, and a useful series of links to sites of science, government, environmental groups, and sites offering solutions in transportation, energy efficiency and other areas.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/Canadian Youth Climate Coalition
CYCC is a high energy union of youth groups from across the country dedicated to pressuring government and industry to take action on climate change. Their site provides useful tips on how to get engaged politically, and suggestions of ways to take action in your home and community. Not to be missed: make sure you check out their Adopt an MP campaign. We wish we had thought of this one ourselves.
http://www.ourclimate.ca/main/index.phpSome recent books and reports calling for effective climate policies
National Roundtable on the Economy and the Environment:
Getting to 2050: Canada's transition to a low emission future.
http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/index-eng.htmlConference Board of Canada:
Use green taxes and market measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/documents.asp?rnext=2426Hot Air: Meeting Canada's Climate Challenge
Jeffery Simpson, Mark Jaccard, Nic Rivers
http://www.mcclelland.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780771080968Plan B 3.0 Mobilizing to Save Civilization
Lester R Brown
http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PlanB_contents.htm