Protesters demand N.L. premier take climate change seriously in wake of wildfires – CBC

Report on Climate Action Demands in Newfoundland and Labrador

Introduction: Public Protest and Sustainable Development Goals

In response to recent environmental crises, including severe wildfires, a youth-led protest was held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Organized by the local chapter of Fridays for Future, the demonstration called for the provincial government to adopt more robust climate policies. The protest highlights a significant divergence between current government economic strategy and the principles outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Demands for Climate Emergency Declaration

Alignment with SDG 13: Climate Action

The primary objective of the protest was to compel the newly-elected government, led by Premier Tony Wakeham, to take urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts. The protesters’ demands are directly aligned with the targets of SDG 13.

1. Declare a State of Climate Emergency: This action would formally recognize the severity of the climate crisis, a foundational step for mobilizing resources and policy in line with SDG 13.
2. Implement Preventative Measures: Protesters called for proactive strategies to mitigate future climate-related disasters, such as wildfires and floods, which supports SDG Target 13.1 to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

Sophie Shoemaker, co-president of the local Fridays for Future chapter, criticized the government for acknowledging climate change without taking substantive action, pointing to continued and increasing investment in fossil fuels.

Provincial Government’s Stance on Energy and Economy

Conflict with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

Premier Tony Wakeham’s public statements indicate a policy direction prioritizing the oil and gas sector, creating a conflict with goals for sustainable energy and production.

• Prioritization of Fossil Fuels: The Premier has stated that as long as global demand for oil exists, the province should be a primary producer. This stance challenges the global transition towards cleaner energy sources as promoted by SDG 7.
• Opposition to Federal Emissions Caps: The provincial government has expressed opposition to federal plans to cap emissions from the oil and gas industry, arguing it would harm the local economy. This position runs counter to SDG 12, which encourages decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.
• Disassociation of Local Industry from Climate Impacts: Premier Wakeham publicly stated his belief that there is no direct relationship between the province’s offshore oil production and the recent wildfires.

Reactive Measures and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

While resisting a shift in energy policy, the government has committed to reactive measures to address the symptoms of climate change. These actions relate to SDG 11, which aims to make human settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Hiring 50 additional wildland firefighters.
• Repairing the province’s fifth water bomber.

These measures, while important for immediate disaster response, do not address the root causes of increasing climate-related risks to communities.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Sustainable Development

Youth and Community Voices on SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The recent wildfires have made the consequences of climate change a tangible reality for residents. High school student Sheza Chowdhury noted that the proximity of this summer’s evacuation notices brought the crisis “home,” underscoring the direct threat to communities and ecosystems protected under SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Political and Global Context

Support for the protesters came from NDP MHA Sheilagh O’Leary, who emphasized the link between fossil fuel extraction and climate-related disasters like droughts, floods, and fires. O’Leary advocated for a transition to a more sustainable economy, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting green jobs and sustainable industries. She warned that failing to act proactively would result in significant future economic costs.

A global perspective was provided by protester Nene Dumet, who cited the environmental devastation from oil projects in their home country of Ecuador. This testimony highlights the justice and institutional accountability aspects of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), arguing that environmental harm is intrinsically linked to social harm.

Conclusion: The Need for Integrated Policy

The protest in St. John’s serves as a critical report on the growing demand for provincial policies that align with global sustainability commitments. The core conflict is between a traditional economic model based on fossil fuel extraction and the urgent need for climate action as mandated by the SDGs. Stakeholders are calling for an integrated approach that ensures environmental protection, community resilience, and a transition to a sustainable economy for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The entire article is centered on the need for urgent action on climate change. Protesters are demanding the government “take climate change seriously” in the wake of “devastating wildfires.” The core conflict discussed is between taking climate action and continuing to invest in fossil fuels.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article highlights the tension between fossil fuel-based energy and a sustainable future. Protesters criticize the government’s plan to “invest in so much oil and gas,” while others call for a “transition to a more sustainable economy,” which implicitly involves moving towards cleaner energy sources.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The impact of climate-related disasters on communities is a key theme. The article mentions how wildfires led to friends spending their summer “under an evacuation notice with go-bags packed,” directly linking climate change to community safety and resilience.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article addresses the degradation of terrestrial ecosystems. The “devastating wildfires” are a direct threat to forests and land. Furthermore, the mention of “devastation from major oil spills from pipeline projects in Ecuador” illustrates how fossil fuel extraction harms the land.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal is relevant through the actions of the protesters. The “youth-led climate action movement” is an example of citizens demanding responsive and accountable governance. They are calling on the newly-elected Premier to act on the climate crisis, demonstrating a push for more inclusive and representative decision-making.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • This target is addressed by the discussion of “devastating wildfires” and the protesters’ demand for “preventative measures against likely climate disasters.” The government’s promise to “hire 50 additional wildland firefighters and committed to repairing the province’s fifth water bomber” is a direct, though reactive, measure related to this target.
2. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The protesters’ primary demand for the government to “declare a state of climate emergency” is a call to integrate climate change into the highest level of provincial policy. Conversely, the Premier’s statement that he doesn’t believe oil production and wildfires “are related” and the government’s plan to “increase” oil and gas investment show a lack of integration of climate measures into economic policy.
3. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • This target is implicitly addressed through the conflict over energy sources. The government’s commitment to oil production (“As long as the world has a demand for oil, we should be the ones producing it”) stands in direct opposition to this target, while the call from an NDP MHA to “transition to a more sustainable economy” supports it.
4. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… by disasters.
   • The article provides a personal account of people being affected by disasters, noting that a student’s friends had to spend their summer “under an evacuation notice with go-bags packed.” This highlights the direct impact of climate-related disasters on the population, which this target aims to reduce.
5. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • The protest by “Fridays for Future St. John’s,” a “global youth-led climate action movement,” is a clear example of participatory action. The protesters are actively trying to influence government policy and decision-making by making their demands public and holding the Premier accountable (“Tony, wake up! Wake up, Tony!”).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 13.1 (Resilience and Adaptation):
   • Qualitative Indicator: The occurrence and scale of climate-related disasters, described in the article as “devastating wildfires.”
   • Quantitative Indicator: The level of investment in disaster response capacity, such as the government’s promise to “hire 50 additional wildland firefighters.”
2. Indicators for Target 13.2 (Policy Integration):
   • Policy Indicator: The adoption of climate emergency declarations. The protesters’ demand to “declare a state of climate emergency” serves as a benchmark for this indicator.
   • Economic Policy Indicator: Government investment in fossil fuels. The article states the government has “no plans to diminish” investment in oil and gas and is “trying to increase it,” which is a clear, though negative, indicator of policy integration.
3. Indicators for Target 7.2 (Renewable Energy Share):
   • Investment Indicator: The direction of energy investments. The government’s continued and increasing investment in “oil and gas” is an implied indicator that the share of renewables is not being prioritized.
4. Indicators for Target 11.5 (Disaster Impact):
   • Social Impact Indicator: The number of people displaced or requiring evacuation due to disasters. The article implies this through the anecdotal evidence of students being “under an evacuation notice.”
5. Indicators for Target 16.7 (Participatory Decision-Making):
   • Participation Indicator: The level of citizen and youth engagement in policy advocacy. The presence of the “vocal group of about 20 protesters” from “Fridays for Future” is a direct indicator of this participation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca