P.E.I. COULD BE A CLIMATE CHANGE LEADER: EXPERT
Climate expert says P.E.I. could lead by example
Prince Edward Island can be a global leader in climate change, said an associate professor of environmental studies and biology.
Adam Fenech, director of the UPEI Climate Lab, said the province could take a leadership role when it comes to the environment.
Fenech, who recently gave a talk at the university on the environment, entitled “Climate change: We’re screwed, it’s our fault, it’s going to get worse and there’s nothing we can do about it”, spoke with The Guardian prior to his presentation on Sept. 21.
The professor said he would like to see P.E.I. become the first carbon-neutral province in the country.
“I think we could be a great example for not just Canada but for the rest of the world. I really feel this is the place; the art of the possible is here,” he said. “I think as Islanders we can show the rest of Canada and the rest of the world how to do things right.”
The technology to become a zero-carbon emission society is available, Fenech said, adding that technology is becoming more affordable.
“Rather than buy a house that has a combustion fuel source or heat pump using electricity, why not buy a house that has renewable energy storage systems? Because, like I said, it’s all possible, it’s just not as easy as it should be, and that’s what we need to change.”
The world is seeing the impacts from climate change like never before, and “it’s only going to get worse”, Fenech said, adding he thinks some of the biggest challenges ahead
for Canada are climate refugees because due to a changing environment, millions of people will be displaced.
“Not just thousands or tens or hundreds of thousands – millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions of people are going to (forced from their homes), looking for food, looking for a safer place to live. What do we do with that type of demand?
“Places in Africa and Asia are going to be too hot to grow food soon.”
By soon, he means that within 20 years, there will have to be “serious policy decisions” to make with respect to climate refugees.
“Something will have to happen. I’m sure as Canadians we’re not going to just sit back and let a tragedy occur.”
In order to make a positive impact, it’s all about embracing change, which can be difficult, he said.
“It’s hard for us to embrace change that’s so dramatic. We’ve been driving fuel combustion cars for over a hundred years, so it’s hard to change that overnight.”