LETTER

To win the battle against climate change 

A few days ago, on Remembrance Day, we honoured the memory of those who died so that we may be free. In our hearts we thanked all Canadians who sacrificed so much, in countless ways, during the two World Wars and other conflicts.

With the publication of the IPCC report Global warming of 1.5 deg C in October, it is clear that a new foe is on our doorstep and it is just as formidable as in previous wars. Climate change is threatening our whole planet: fire, winds, floods, droughts are taking their toll on human lives and whole ecosystems. And it’s only the beginning of hostilities.

As we learned in 1914 and 1939, major threats require extraordinary measures. The time has come for a major mobilization of our economy, of our human capital and of our will as a nation. We need to fight the enemy with intelligence, science and determination.

As has been seen in times of war, political parties need to collaborate to vanquish their common enemy. I call on all federal political parties to form a “War Cabinet” to arrive at non-partisan, science-based and effective solutions. This way, we can have a fighting chance to meet our crucial objectives. I hope that during the next election campaign the topic of climate change will be one where the greater good of saving our planet will take precedence over polarization and division.

In 50 years from now, when our grandchildren gather to remember the sacrifices made by Canadians before them, let’s hope they remember the war against global warming, a war that was won thanks to our courage as a nation and the political consensus we created.  

Gilles Cloutier, Gatineau