Climate Action Now!

What do you think about when you hear the words global warming or climate change? Maybe you feel a terrible sense of dread (we are killing our planet and there is nothing that can be done) or maybe it’s more of a feeling of “meh” (the earth is warming, but it doesn’t really affect me here in Nova Scotia). Traditionally I have been of the former camp - I really know global warming is a serious issue that will affect the whole planet in major ways, but at times it feels so massive, so gigantic, that I get weighed down by how hard it will be to stop it from happening. I am trying to do my part: my family and I are eating less red meat, I am using public transit more (and hopefully will soon start using my bike again) and we have availed ourselves of the excellent programs at Efficiency Nova Scotia to make sure our home is as energy efficient as we can make it (this is an ongoing project). Still, sometimes it’s hard to believe that these little things can make a dent in the bigger issue. (They can!!!)

Lately, however, my feelings of dread and ultimate doom have been shifting a little. I have been hearing about and learning about a message of hope around climate change. I believe more and more that we can actually slow down the earth’s warming process and maybe, just maybe, save the earth from the full effects of the change. It is possible, but we don’t have much time - about 11 years actually.

Much of the work we must do in the next 11 years is to cut greenhouse gas emissions so that the levels of C02 in the atmosphere can drop to 50% below where they were in 1990. After we reach that goal, we need to continue to work toward transitioning away from fossil fuels and have net zero carbon emissions by 2050. These goals are possible but they will require strong leadership from local, state/provincial and national governments all over the world. To meet these targets, we need to put bold plans in place so that we can transition from fossil fuel energy into carbon-less energy, and make sure that people working in the oil and gas industry can transition to new industries without taking a financial hit.

I am proud that our NSNDP caucus introduced a couple of pieces of legislation last week that speaks to this transition and to the ways in which we can make our world greener, and therefore more liveable; and, at the same time, kick start our economy and create green jobs for thousands of people.

Read about our Green Jobs Act here.

Read about our Local Action on Climate Change Act here.

On Friday, March 15th, students all over the world went on strike to call for real action by governments to address the very serious issue of climate change. In Halifax, hundreds of young people (some as young as 4!) gathered at City Hall and then Province House. They were loud, passionate and serious about the need to act now. Climate action cannot be something we look at in the future, and ask the younger generations to handle. We need to act now so that they are able to live healthy and safe lives. It was inspiring to be among those energetic, intelligent and articulate people, who are using their substantial collective voice to call for policies that actually address the issue and stop the planet’s dangerous warming.

Lastly, someone I find inspiring is climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe. I heard her speak here late last year and, though she knows we are in a climate change pickle, she proposes real solutions on how to get out of it. Her number one suggestion: talk about it. Check out her website and be inspired to act.

On the Need for a Child and Youth Advocate in Nova Scotia

Thanks for tuning into my new website, and to this blog. I hope to publish thoughts on a number of things I am working on in the Legislature and in the community here. To start with, I’ll add the essay below. In the last (Fall 2018) sitting of the Legislature, I introduced a bill calling for a Child and Youth Advocate Office. While it wouldn’t solve all the issues that affect children and youth in Nova Scotia, it would offer away to examine policies and laws that could be harmful, it could make recommendations to governments and it could also look at specific cases where children and youth come into harm due to government policies. Here’s the essay:

ON THE NEED FOR A CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCATE IN NOVA SCOTIA

Between 2015 and 2017,  the number of children living in poverty across the country has declined in every province but one -- Nova Scotia.

In other provinces, thousands of children and their families now live above the poverty line. In our province, there are 5000 more children living in poverty than before the federal government created its Canada Child Benefit. This fact is simply unacceptable and we must do better.

This past fall, our NDP Caucus tabled legislation that would create a Child and Youth Advocate for our province. Right now, Nova Scotia and Quebec are the only provinces that do not have a advocate for children and young people. As MLAs return to the Legislature this week, I am calling on the Liberal government to include the creation of this office in the upcoming provincial budget.

The McNeil Liberals need to realize the effect of decisions that deny children basic needs like healthy food and safe shelter. Ignoring calls to re-introduce rent control and raise the minimum wage means more and more people can’t afford the things they need for their families. Experiences like those of Abdul Abdi who should have had help while he was in foster care to become a Canadian citizen or children taken from their families affected because of inaccurate Motherrisk testing, show that the children of Nova Scotia need an advocate.

A Child and Youth Advocate would review government programs and policies and make recommendations to make sure children get the care and opportunities they deserve. This office could look at issues of inclusion in child care centres and pre-primary classrooms while always keeping the well-being of young people at the forefront of its work. The advocate could recommend a plan of action to address the lack of services for youth with mental health care needs.

When every other province in the country has found a way to reduce the number of children in poverty it’s time to do something different in Nova Scotia. Stephen McNeil and his Liberal government must make this important investment in the well-being of children and youth and make sure they have an advocate to speak on their behalf.