Chris Benjamin, Freelance Writer

Impacts of Climate Change

In April 2008, the price of simple foods like beans, rice, and bread began climbing.  In the Caribbean country of Haiti, prices went so high that thousands of people protested in the streets. 

There are many causes for the price increases.  Most likely, what we call “global warming,” “climate change,” or “climate chaos,” has something to do with it.  This means that as the average heat of the earth warms from human activity, weather becomes more extreme and harder to predict.  We get more droughts, storms, and floods, making it harder for farmers to grow food.

Here in Nova Scotia, the price of food has also increased, partly because of climate change.  “This summer we had a lot of extra rain in Cape Breton,” says Jen Ford, who is a farmer and a food expert at the Ecology Action Centre in north-end Halifax.  “A lot of farmers are packing it in after seeing their melons and cabbage fields flooding.” 

Ms. Ford says that the past eight years have been very hard for Nova Scotia farmers, because of six years of drought followed by two years of heavy rains.  She adds that as local farmers are forced to quit, imported goods get more expensive, because there is less local competition to keep prices low.

It is also costing us more to heat our homes.  Sixty percent of energy used by Canadian homes is for heating.  In 2007, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board heard evidence from Nova Scotians who can’t afford to pay for food, rent, and heat.  They have to go without at least one.

One witness at this hearing was Yvonne Carvery, an African Nova Scotian with a disability, and a former resident of Africville, who now lives in a seniors’ apartment complex.  She testified that, living on a small pension, she often sacrifices healthy food to pay for rent and power.  “I am accustomed to juggling my income in order to meet my expenses for the basics like rent, electricity, food, telephone and transportation,” she said.  “I live very economically and often do without luxuries like fresh fruit and vegetables, new clothes, or cards and gifts for others, in order to make sure that my electricity bill is paid on time.”[1]

Cheryl Ratchford, an energy expert at Ecology Action Centre, says that to help poor Nova Scotians, the government must stop climate change.  According to her, “An argument that is often used against cutting carbon [one of the gases humans create that causes climate change] is that it is too expensive and will leave low income families behind.  But these individuals will be hard hit by climate change impacts unless the right government policies are in place.” 

Ms. Ratchford adds that if the government helped poor people make their homes more energy efficient, they would save money.  Nova Scotians can save 40 percent on heating by installing better insulation, windows and doors in their homes. This can help stop climate change, which is causing all people, but especially poor people, major problems, risks, and money.  Yet Nova Scotia’s energy efficiency program for poor people, called Residential Energy Affordability, requires that you own your home.[2]  This means most people with low income can’t take part.

According to the Canadian government, “Citizens and communities also have a role in preparing for climate change by participating in climate change vulnerability assessments…and ultimately in deciding to modify their own practices to adapt to changing conditions along the coast.”[3]  In other words, Nova Scotians should be looking carefully at the risks of more severe weather.  But, the work of considering these risks, and preparing for them, is expensive.  Poor people do not have the means to be involved.  Government programs are needed to help people who live near the coast but do not have the money to protect themselves.

Reflection Questions

This story gives an idea of the impact of climate change on different communities. How do you think climate change will impact you and your community? Will this be different than how it impacts other communities?  What support does your community need from the government to deal with the impact of climate change?

For More Information

What is EnJOI?

The Environmental Justice Organizing Initiative (EnJOI) aims to build a movement for climate justice that is broad and ambitious, and rooted in a class, race, gender, and anti-colonial analysis. This national initiative reached out to communities experiencing the effects of climate change, particularly communities that are most impacted, including: Indigenous people, people of colour, poor and working class people, women, youth, and the global South.

The first job of EnJOI was to organize workshops in BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia (held Spring 2008), and northern Alberta that brings together people who want to learn more about climate change and become active around climate justice.

A national forum will be held to gather ideas and suggestions for how we can support other communities. EnJOI has received financial support from the McConnell Foundation (www.mcconnellfoundation.ca) for this one-year project.

What is climate justice?

• Principles of Climate Justice (www.ejnet.org/ej/bali.pdf).  Twenty-seven principles of climate justice (August 2002).
• Principles of Environmental Justice (www.ejnet.org/ej/principles.html).  Seventeen principles of environmental justice.

Climate Change and Health

• Health Canada (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/climat/index-eng.php) discusses the connections between climate change and health issues.
• Natural Resources Canada (http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/posters/ac/ac_04_e.php)

More information on climate change

• Natural Resources Canada (http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/posters/cc_e.php)

How can I learn more about climate change? 

• Ecology Action Centre (www.ecologyaction.ca) (902) 429-2202

Programs: climate change, coastal issues, marine issues, built environment, energy, food, transportation, and wilderness

• Clean Nova Scotia (www.clean.ns.ca/ (902) 420-3474

Programs: home energy reduction, water reduction, pesticide use, climate change

Other Resources

• Alberta Tar Sands: http://www.dominionpaper.ca/tarsands
• Durban Group for Climate Justice: http://www.carbontradewatch.org/durban/
• Race and Waste in Nova Scotia: http://www.dominionpaper.ca/environment/2006/12/07/race_and_w.html

Story prepared by: Chris Benjamin

Resources and NS EnJOI Contact: Satya Ramen