Solidarity Justice Group February 19, 2025
THINK ABOUT IT
From Jubilee to Jubilee… 2000 – 2025
Every twenty-five years, the Judeo-Christian tradition calls on the solidarity of its members to suggest debt forgiveness for countries in need. In 2000, the Jubilee coincided with the start of a new millennium. A major awareness-raising campaign highlighted the consequences of poverty around the world.
At the same time, the World March of Women called for a general demonstration against the violence and poverty that mainly affect women.
The turn of the century shook the core of our ignorance. Women have made some progress, their voices have disturbed, their resilience has been noticed!
Between the 2000 and 2025 Jubilees, what have been the effects of the debt forgiveness accepted by our country and requested by religious authorities? Was it an action that brought hope for the future or did it merely relieve our troubled consciences?
In 2024, the United States was already the richest country in the world, with more than a quarter of the world’s wealth ($29,168 billion). In 2025, the president has chosen a right-hand man with a personal fortune of over $444 billion = $444,000,000,000! Can he understand his fellow man in South Sudan who earns less than $500 a year? With such inequalities, are you surprised to hear the sound of bombs?
The appeal of the 2000 Jubilee has not had the desired results. That is clear. We should not wait in patient naivety for inequalities to iron themselves out. So, how will peace be achieved by Jubilee 2075? Let’s hope that future generations will correct our aim and turn our hearts right side up!
Jubilant solidarity!
Denise Brunelle, CND
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
At their February 4 meeting, the executive committee members discussed Clovis Fecteau’s article “S’informer, c’est résister à l’effondrement de la vérité,” published in Le Devoir on Friday, January 24, 2025. We understand that staying informed means resisting the forces that are destroying democracy and human rights.
A brainstorming session on climate change in relation to social inequalities provided the content for the current edition of Heure Juste.
A first brainstorming session kicked off preparations for the annual meeting on Saturday, April 26. In a half-day format starting with lunch, this meeting will replace the traditional general meeting. It will include a formation session and an update on the life of our group.
A LOOK AT CLIMATE CHANGE
Do we believe in climate change? Do we care? What can we do?
The reality is scientifically recognized and increasingly worrying. The frequency of natural phenomena is rightly causing much ecoanxiety. The symbolic doomsday clock is said to have moved forward an extra second this year; the hand is now at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest to the end of the world ever recorded since the creation of this “clock” in 1947. (Le Devoir, January 28)
The experts emphasize the growing threat posed by the climate crisis, pointing out that 2024 was the hottest year on record and was marked by several extreme weather events (heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.).
What are the indicators of climate change?
Rising temperatures: the recognized normal threshold could be well exceeded. 2000-2010 has officially been declared the hottest decade in history. In 2024, the rise in global temperatures exceeded the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for the first time. This is the level that the UN climate conferences have defined as the limit that must not be exceeded to avoid the collapse of the planet’s ecological balance.
Rising water levels: rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt. This increases the volume of water tenfold, because the hotter the water, the greater its volume. As a result, the coastline is receding due to marine erosion, and shoreline erosion is also accelerating. At the same time, the thawing permafrost is making the ground softer, leading to an upsurge in landslides.
Drought: high temperatures exacerbate drought, a phenomenon that leads to dry soil. This drying increases the meteorological risk of forest fires. Year after year, we have observed an increase in the frequency and devastation of such fires in many parts of the world.
Extreme rainfall: climate change is causing a disruption that is leading to more frequent and uncontrollable downpours. The risk of flooding thus increases, with all its consequences for the population and municipalities.
Longer and more frequent heatwaves are also a manifestation of climate change.
What are the causes of climate change?
Increased concentration of greenhouse gases: the main greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, have reached record levels. Carbon dioxide is the main cause of human-induced climate change.
Fossil fuels: almost two-thirds of greenhouse gases come from activities linked to the production and consumption of energy (coal, oil and natural gas).
Transportation, industry and buildings: these sectors account for over 80% of Quebec’s GHG emissions.
Agricultural activities, animal husbandry and the waste that ends up in landfills also produce large quantities of methane (CH4), a highly potent GHG.
Rising temperatures are a direct consequence of human activity, due to our lack of respect for nature and what it can absorb. The abuse of power, insatiability, greed and the lure of profit have all led to the ecological imbalance we see today.
What are the consequences of climate change?
As we already know, climate change is causing the gradual extinction of biodiversity. Global warming is having a significant impact on the way animal and plant species live, to the point of gradually causing their disappearance, forcing them to live in environments that they are absolutely not suited to.
Climate change also affects people directly. It increases food and water crises, particularly in developing countries.
Disasters caused by climate change are the main cause of internal displacement worldwide. In the space of ten years, the number of extreme climatic events – floods, hurricanes, cyclones – has increased the number of people displaced fivefold. Seven of the ten countries most exposed to internal displacement due to extreme weather events are small island developing states. In addition to internal displacement, 70% of refugees live in neighbouring countries.
The poorest communities, and women in particular, are the most vulnerable, as they generally live in makeshift dwellings or on marginal lands, which are more exposed to extreme climatic phenomena.
Climate change is having a major impact on public health. It can cause heat exhaustion and negative effects on the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. There is a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases and conditions. Allergies are also aggravated by pollen during the warmer months. Who knows how many lives are lost every year during heatwaves.
Finally, what can be done to counter climate change?
The existential threats that we face can only be addressed through international collaboration. For example, we would like to highlight the 2015 Paris Agreement and the subsequent international conferences where commitments were made. Almost 200 countries worldwide had until February 11 to submit their new climate roadmap to the UN, but only 12 signatories to the Paris Agreement submitted their updated strategy for reducing greenhouse gases by 2035 by this date. Canada did not.
Internally, ambitious climate measures are essential. All federal, provincial and municipal authorities have a duty to cooperate to tackle climate change and respond to the urgency of this crisis.
On an individual level, familiar gestures are also important for the health of the planet: avoiding food waste; participating in organic waste collection; reducing meat consumption; favouring active, shared, or electric transportation; encouraging local businesses; greening our living environments; and using energy wisely.
Mobilization at all levels is essential to overcoming the climate crisis. Millions of people around the world are mobilizing to demand effective action. Numerous environmental groups are putting pressure on public officials. Individually, in all walks of life, environmental awareness is growing significantly.
Céline Beaulieu, CND
ON THE MOVE
Let’s take action against debt
In this Jubilee Year, we are invited by Development and Peace to sign a petition asking our governments to put an end to unjust debt. One hundred thousand signatures are expected.
To find the petition, search the Internet for “Agissons face à la dette.”
World March of Women
2025 marks the sixth edition of the World March of Women. The slogan adopted by the CQMMF meeting on January 30 was as follows: “Still on the move to transform the world”
Its objectives remain to combat violence against girls and women and poverty. Added to this is the denunciation of capitalism as a destroyer of the climate and biodiversity.
A schedule has been drawn up from the start of activities on March 8 in Candiac to their end on October 18 in Quebec City.
Notice to Montrealers: online voting now available
Montreal has launched the 3rd edition of the participatory budget, setting aside $45 million for projects proposed and chosen by the population. From February 10 to March 17, 2025, vote for your favourite projects. Go to the Montreal Participatory Budget website to take part.