HOT TOPIC: CLIMATE

Call your MP.

Picking up the phone and calling your Member of Parliament (MP) is still one of the most powerful tools at your disposal.

It can be nerve-racking the first time. Below are some talking points to think about while you are on your call.

Sometimes it helps to take a few notes before you make your call, or call a friend and practice. When you're ready, take a deep breath and start changing the world.

Make the call and demand that Canada step up to fight climate change!

Thank you for fighting for a greener, healthier, more equitable world!

Here are some talking points to think about while you are on your call.

Introduce yourself:

Hello, my name is _________________.

Tell them why you're calling:

I'm calling today because I'm concerned about the state of our planet and believe the government needs to move faster on climate action. One of the best ways to do this is through the development of climate resilient food systems.

Make it personal - tell them why this matters to you:

For example: Women and girls are often hit the hardest by the impacts of food insecurity and malnutrition. Currently biodiverse, healthy ecosystems are an indispensable ally in meeting the challenges of climate change and food insecurity. Right now – all are at risk.

Tell them what you want:

Building resilient food systems and tackling malnutrition are critical responses to some of the greatest risks facing humanity today – including, climate change, biodiversity loss, the economic and health devastation we’ve seen as a result of COVID-19, and gender inequality.

There are so many things the government can do:

Last year, Canada doubled its commitment to international climate finance, promising $5.3 billion over the next five years. As part of this, Canada needs to increase its support of resilient food systems by at least $100 million per year to reach a minimum of $400 million per year.
Focus on investments that help low– and middle-income country food producers anticipate, absorb, and limit shocks so they can transform their livelihoods, including support of nature-based solutions, crop diversity, and emergency preparedness.
Empower all individuals and groups active in food systems to make their own decisions about what foods they eat, what foods they produce, and how that food is produced, processed, and distributed.
Enable improved networking and collaboration with others in the agricultural value chain through farmer-to-farmer visits, individual experiments, and collaborative learning, training, and education.
Garner opportunities to engage in the processes, policies, and governance that shapes the food system to tackle gender discrimination.

Hold them accountable:

When can we expect the government to take action?

Say thank you:

Finish your call with a thank you – you never know when you might need to call your representative again!

Additional key facts:

Before the pandemic, the world was already behind in eradicating malnutrition and meeting the Zero Hunger Sustainable Development Goals targets.
Since the pandemic, the number of individuals experiencing malnutrition and hunger has drastically increased with upwards of 160 million new people experiencing malnutrition since 2019 and 690 million people are undernourished globally.
45 million people worldwide are at extreme risk of famine, a staggering 300% increase during the past six months largely due to the multiplier effects of conflict, COVID-19, and climate change.
Every dollar invested in nutrition generates between $4 and $35 dollars, while access to clean water and hygiene services deliver a 35-fold to 92-fold return.