Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of the Climate Emergency Forum the discussion focuses on the global response to climate emergencies declared by over 2,000 governments worldwide. Herb Simmens, the host, introduces the conversation by questioning the tangible outcomes of these declarations and highlights the gap between intention and action. Dr. Peter Carter, an IPCC reviewer and climate advocate, provides a sobering analysis of global emissions trends using data from Climate Action Tracker. Carter also critiques the widespread adoption of "net zero" targets over zero emissions and stresses the urgent need for immediate and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
This video was recorded on February 19th, 2025, and published on March 4th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
Charles Gregoire, a co-founder of the Climate Emergency Forum, explores the tools governments use to address climate emergencies. He discusses strategies such as climate action plans, national adaptation strategies, and the integration of a "climate lens" into policy decisions. Using examples like Canada's enhanced 2030 targets and Ottawa's carbon budget framework, Charles illustrates both the complexity and necessity of planning for climate resilience.
The dialogue concludes with reflections on the challenges of translating emergency declarations into meaningful action. Herb shares his firsthand experience with Montgomery County, Maryland's climate emergency declaration in 2017, highlighting its ambitious targets but limited follow-through. He critiques "placebo plans" that lack actionable components and suggests time-limited climate emergencies as a potential solution to maintain urgency and accountability. The panelists collectively emphasize that while tools like climate assessments and planning frameworks are critical, they must be paired with strong political will to drive transformative change.
Links:
- Climate Action Tracker
climateactiontracker.org
- UN Climate Secretariat
https://unfccc.int/about-us/about-the-secretariat
- Global Energy Monitor
globalenergymonitor.org
- China’s construction of new coal-power plants ‘reached 10-year high’ in 2024
carbonbrief.org/chinas-construction-of-new-coal-power-plants-reached-10-year-high-in-2024
- Landmark ICJ climate change hearing concludes; opinion expected in 2025
news.mongabay.com/short-article/landmark-icj-climate-change-hearing-concludes-opinion-expected-in-2025
- Paris Agreement
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement
- Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Long-Range_Transboundary_Air_Pollution
- Expert reaction to Met Office data suggesting carbon dioxide emissions are off track for limiting global warming to 1.5°C
sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-met-office-data-suggesting-carbon-dioxide-emissions-are-off-track-for-limiting-global-warming-to-1-5c
- Climate Change Resilience (CEF Video)
youtu.be/qmuEKQxV_Ac?si=sv7jUPapFrX2CJ0-
- Adaptation and Mitigation
youtu.be/t_giioGy3Pw?si=1qJAvPrblU3DtmV2
- Canada Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-19.3/fulltext.html
- Clean Air Partnership
cleanairpartnership.org
- Whole-of-Government Approach to Climate Adaptation
climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-whole-of-government-approach-to-climate-adaptation.pdf
- Steering responses to climate change from the centre of government - A Stocktaking
oecd.org/en/publications/steering-responses-to-climate-change-from-the-centre-of-government_b95c8396-en.html
- Finding our balance with nature: introducing Planetary Solvency
blog.actuaries.org.uk/finding-our-balance-with-nature-introducing-planetary-solvency
Regular Panelists:
Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute
Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.
Video Production:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Heidi Brault - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP26 team lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader
Our Website:
climateemergencyforum.org
Support Our Work:
climateemergencyforum.org/donate.html
Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander
- Source: crowander.com
Image and Video: climateemergencyforum.org/assets/attributions/2025/2025-03-04-climate-emergency-government-response.html
In this episode of the Climate Emergency Forum the discussion focuses on the global response to climate emergencies declared by over 2,000 governments worldwide. Herb Simmens, the host, introduces the conversation by questioning the tangible outcomes of these declarations and highlights the gap between intention and action. Dr. Peter Carter, an IPCC reviewer and climate advocate, provides a sobering analysis of global emissions trends using data from Climate Action Tracker. Carter also critiques the widespread adoption of "net zero" targets over zero emissions and stresses the urgent need for immediate and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
This video was recorded on February 19th, 2025, and published on March 4th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
Charles Gregoire, a co-founder of the Climate Emergency Forum, explores the tools governments use to address climate emergencies. He discusses strategies such as climate action plans, national adaptation strategies, and the integration of a "climate lens" into policy decisions. Using examples like Canada's enhanced 2030 targets and Ottawa's carbon budget framework, Charles illustrates both the complexity and necessity of planning for climate resilience.
The dialogue concludes with reflections on the challenges of translating emergency declarations into meaningful action. Herb shares his firsthand experience with Montgomery County, Maryland's climate emergency declaration in 2017, highlighting its ambitious targets but limited follow-through. He critiques "placebo plans" that lack actionable components and suggests time-limited climate emergencies as a potential solution to maintain urgency and accountability. The panelists collectively emphasize that while tools like climate assessments and planning frameworks are critical, they must be paired with strong political will to drive transformative change.
Links:
- Climate Action Tracker
climateactiontracker.org
- UN Climate Secretariat
https://unfccc.int/about-us/about-the-secretariat
- Global Energy Monitor
globalenergymonitor.org
- China’s construction of new coal-power plants ‘reached 10-year high’ in 2024
carbonbrief.org/chinas-construction-of-new-coal-power-plants-reached-10-year-high-in-2024
- Landmark ICJ climate change hearing concludes; opinion expected in 2025
news.mongabay.com/short-article/landmark-icj-climate-change-hearing-concludes-opinion-expected-in-2025
- Paris Agreement
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement
- Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_Long-Range_Transboundary_Air_Pollution
- Expert reaction to Met Office data suggesting carbon dioxide emissions are off track for limiting global warming to 1.5°C
sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-met-office-data-suggesting-carbon-dioxide-emissions-are-off-track-for-limiting-global-warming-to-1-5c
- Climate Change Resilience (CEF Video)
youtu.be/qmuEKQxV_Ac?si=sv7jUPapFrX2CJ0-
- Adaptation and Mitigation
youtu.be/t_giioGy3Pw?si=1qJAvPrblU3DtmV2
- Canada Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-19.3/fulltext.html
- Clean Air Partnership
cleanairpartnership.org
- Whole-of-Government Approach to Climate Adaptation
climateinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-whole-of-government-approach-to-climate-adaptation.pdf
- Steering responses to climate change from the centre of government - A Stocktaking
oecd.org/en/publications/steering-responses-to-climate-change-from-the-centre-of-government_b95c8396-en.html
- Finding our balance with nature: introducing Planetary Solvency
blog.actuaries.org.uk/finding-our-balance-with-nature-introducing-planetary-solvency
Regular Panelists:
Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute
Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.
Video Production:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Heidi Brault - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP26 team lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader
Our Website:
climateemergencyforum.org
Support Our Work:
climateemergencyforum.org/donate.html
Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander
- Source: crowander.com
Image and Video: climateemergencyforum.org/assets/attributions/2025/2025-03-04-climate-emergency-government-response.html
