In June, Canada hosted the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, with discussions that focused on finding concrete solutions to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, clean energy, and economic growth that works for everyone. At the conclusion of the summit, five of the G7 countries and the European Union pledged to tackle pollution by signing the Ocean Plastics Charter. It was also the first time that the G7 engagement process included a summit of diverse feminist leaders: the W7. This work, connected to multiple SDGs including Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 14: Life Below Water, is helping to build momentum as we head into the High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development this month.
Below, we’ve compiled a look back on the stories published at Alliance 2030 over the last month as well as a collection of articles from other sources that relate to Canada’s progress (or challenges) on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Posts at Alliance 2030
Time for Canada to act on the Sustainable Development Goals
Julia Sanchez of CCIC and Scott Vaughan from IISD explain that while the Government of Canada has done well to recognize a lack of progress towards the SDGs at a national level, the next step is to release a comprehensive plan to implement them.
Community momentum: Accelerating SDG implementation in Canada
This commentary comes from Kali Taylor and Kyle Wiebe of IISD.
Five G7 countries and EU pledge to to tackle pollution in Ocean Plastics Charter
The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the European Union agreed to tackle ocean plastic in the ‘Ocean Plastics Charter.’ From IISD.
Toxic leftovers from Giant Mine found in snowshoe hares
These animals, which are still being trapped for food and fur in many parts of Canada, could be passing on harmful chemicals to humans. Article from Som Niyogi and Solomon Amuno of the University of Saskatchewan via The Conversation.
Mathematics talent abounds in Indigenous communities
There is a profound mathematical presence in various Indigenous traditions, from art to weaving patterns in cedar root and birch bark baskets, to canoe designs, the strategies of the salmon harvest and the ways of managing resources. From Vaselin Jungic of Simon Fraser University, via The Conversation.
External links
Three trillion tons of Antarctic ice lost since 1992, seas rising, study suggests
“Antarctica has very clearly become activated over the past couple of decades in a way that it wasn’t before,” says one researcher. Article by Nicole Mortillaro at CBC News.
Global Compact Network Canada meets with Canadian ministers to discuss SDGs
The meetings focused on creating partnerships between the public and private sectors. From GCNC’s site.
A lifetime of gay-rights activism in 60 seconds
The first LGBTQ2 Heritage Minute profiles Jim Egan and his long fight for equal rights. By David Demchuk at the Walrus.
The next pipeline battle: Line 3
The pipeline will have four-fifths of the after-upgrade capacity of Trans Mountain and traverse 500 more kilometres of wetlands and vulnerable ecosystems. By Josiah Neufeld at The Walrus.
What if Canada had spent $200 billion on wind energy instead of oil?
Stephen Leahy of The Guardian compares wind and oil energy to see how costs to Canadians would have stacked up.
First Nations look to buy equity in pipeline to have say in project’s future
“The only way we’re able to mitigate the environmental impacts is through ownership and having a say in these projects.” Article by Leyland Cecco at The Guardian.
It’s wild salmon health vs. money and jobs as B.C.’s fish farm fight comes to a head
Various groups are trying to convince the provincial government to disallow the commercial practice of farming fish in the ocean. By Greg Rasmussen for CBC News.
Why reducing antibiotics in farm animals isn’t as easy as it seems
Michael von Massow and Alfons Weersink of the University of Guelph explain why at The Conversation.