(SK) New report urges climate change action

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(SK) New report urges climate change action

[ http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technolog ... story.html ]

By Jeremy Warren, jjwarren@thestarphoenix.com

Twitter.com/jjwrrn The StarPhoenix April 29, 2014

A new report on climate change in Saskatchewan and around the world takes aim at government inaction and society’s indifference around pollution.

The 60-page report compiled information gathered during two days of testimony at the Saskatchewan Citizens’ Hearings on Climate Change held last November. The group released the report Tuesday. [ http://www.thestarphoenix.com/pdf/14159 ... colour.pdf ]

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Thirty-six people — citizens, experts and activists — gave a combined 20 hours of testimony at the hearings, which led to the report and its 27 recommendations and conclusions. The report also takes aim at Saskatchewan’s environmental record.

It states Saskatchewan is one of the worst polluters in Canada, accounting for 10 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions with only three per cent of the population.

“ ... Saskatchewan residents should be particularly worried about the disruption of the hydrological cycle that is now occurring. There has already been a marked increase in flooding in the pas decade, and that is likely to continue for some time,” the report states.

One recommendation targets the Saskatchewan oil industry. The province should ensure the oil industry captures “natural gas/methane instead of venting and flaring it into the atmosphere,” saving millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, the report states.

Saskatchewan has great solar and wind resources and the province should invest in and grow opportunities to increase renewable energy use, said hearing commissioner Harry Lafond, the executive director of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

Other recommendations include rejoining the Kyoto Protocol, investing in public transportation and bike networks, and moving away from heavy grazing practices.

MORE:

[ http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technolog ... story.html ]

FULL REPORT:

[ http://www.thestarphoenix.com/pdf/14159 ... colour.pdf ]