Hon. Rosa Galvez: Honourable senators, April 22 of last week was Earth Day. Our planet sustains all kinds of life by offering ecological services that ensure life for humans and millions of species. Thus, every day should be Earth Day.

Unfortunately, humans have taken for granted our unique planet. We have plunged into a climate crisis, fuelled by an illogical system that favours a linear economic model of resource extraction, manufacture, use, waste and pollution, without considering the planetary limits and healthy thresholds that allow for human life on earth.

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Earlier this month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its latest report, in which it identified the various options for decarbonizing the planet. Unsurprisingly, the report sounds the alarm louder than ever and gives us an ultimatum. We have until 2025 to cap our greenhouse gas emissions. Otherwise, we will face a catastrophic climate disaster, as global warming surpasses 1.5°C. We are not on the right track.

This week, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development released five reports highlighting that Canada is not prepared for the transition. For example, the government is still not in a position to move forward with a just transition for workers. The federal carbon tax has significant weaknesses that undermine its effectiveness, and the government’s own activities are not in line with the objective of net-zero by 2050.

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Colleagues, we are the highest instance of decision making and democracy in Canada, and we must do our part. Let’s be part of the ongoing race going around the world to reach net-zero emissions before 2050 and unleash the power of transformation for a better future that this race will bring us. Thank you. Meegwetch.

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