20 Years of faithful action for climate justice #KAIROSClimateAction
KAIROS is celebrating 20 years of spirited action for justice. During this anniversary, we are inviting the KAIROS network and friends to reflect on KAIROS’ accomplishments and struggles, to embrace this kairos moment, and to envision a 2041 that is more hopeful, just, and sustainable than the present time.
In reflecting on KAIROS’ accomplishments, every Sunday during Climate Action Month, we will feature seminal KAIROS research and writing that continues to shape and influence our climate justice work today. As we head into climate ambition and just transition week, we wanted to highlight Drawing a Line in the Sand - Why Canada needs to limit tar sands expansion and invest in a green economy. This KAIROS position paper published over 10 years ago in July 2010 accompanied three significant policy positions that KAIROS took in November 2009:
- No further approvals for tar sands projects.
- Support Indigenous communities’ and environmental groups’ longstanding calls for independent studies, funded by the Alberta and federal governments, on the cumulative impacts of the tar sands development, especially on health, water and ecosystems. These studies must involve Indigenous people and be accessible to them and the public.
- The federal government must develop a clean and sustainable energy strategy, based on conservation and the development of renewable energy as well as a funded transition plan for sustainable jobs in a renewable energy sector. The principles of ecological sustainability and Indigenous Rights must be applied to the development of a renewable energy projects
The paper explores the main reasons why KAIROS decided to take these positions. The positions were informed by the Ecumenical Delegation to the tar sands in May 2009, which consisted of 10 leaders from Canadian churches and church organizations, a hereditary Indigenous chief from British Columbia and partners from Ecuador and Nigeria. One of the main outcomes from that delegation called for a new approach to Canada’s tar sands, one built on “positive directions that will protect jobs, people and the earth.”
