Candlelight event to promote Paris climate goals

School strikes for climate action that attracted large turnouts in Halifax and around the country are on hold during the peak of the COVID pandemic but that doesn't mean action is not warranted.

“It is to remind the government and people that this is something that we still need to fight for,” said Julia Sampson, a first-year environment and sustainability student at Dalhousie University in Halifax and a founding member of schoolstrike 4 climate hfx.

“We can't just ignore it. It's been five years since the Paris Agreement, it kind of slips people's minds sometimes and no country has kept it up so it's really important to remind people that this is something that has been agreed upon and we still need to fight for it.”

Climate action and climate goals are always front of mind for Sampson and her group wants to make sure it resonates with others by holding a COVid-friendly candlelight action at Grand Parade in downtown Halifax on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The intent is to remind world leaders of their duty to uphold the Paris Agreement and fight to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

The candlelight action is part of international events happening from Wednesday to Saturday to bring attention to the five-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the failures of countries to limit global warming.

“This is a global action so it is what most people will be doing around the world, along this line as well,” Sampson said. “It's an event that we can do to remind people about this agreement and also to keep it COVID-SAFE.”

On Dec. 12, 2015, Canada and 194 other countries reached the Paris Agreement, an ambitious and balanced deal to fight climate change by strengthening the effort to limit the global average temperature rise.

Under the agreement, Canada committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and it has since announced that it will develop a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

An updated climate change performance index (CCPI) report released Monday shows Canada and many other countries failing their commitments.

The report, which ranked more than 60 countries and the European Union nations as a single entity in the categories of greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, overall energy use and climate policies, rated Canada as 58th.

Last year, Canada ranked No. 55.

In the separate categories, Canada ranked as very poor in each of the greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and overall energy use ratings. It was No. 56 among greenhouse gas emitters, 54th in renewable energy and 61st in overall energy use.

There was some sign of hope in the climate policy, with Canada claiming a No. 29 ranking for a medium rating. That score was based on low marks for national policy but a medium ranking for international climate policy.

The countries surveyed for the index create more than 90 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and none of them are on a path compatible with the Paris Agreement goals.

Overall, greenhouse gas emissions have increased slightly but are actually falling in more than half (32) of the countries surveyed.

People who want to participate in Wednesday's event are asked to show up with a candle, wear a mask and adhere to social distancing recommendations.

“The goal is to spell out Fight for 1.5 with tea candles and we'll be there from 4 until 8,” Sampson said, although people are expected to come and go during that time.