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Welcome to the WE-CAN Climate News Roundup
Your Primary Source for CLIMATE NEWS
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Issue #229 February 3, 2026
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Top Story
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Global Warming 3°C By 2050? What’s Behind The New German Climate Warning
From World Crunch: German scientists warn global warming is accelerating faster than expected, raising the risk of a 3°C rise by 2050 and forcing Europe to confront unthinkable adaptation plans. “We have entered a new stage of climate change: Global warming now appears to be accelerating. We see it in Germany too. The data is so compelling that members of our societies felt they had a duty to speak out, despite all the uncertainty and the usual caution.” Read more
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German Scientists Issue Stark Climate Warning
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From David Suzuki Foundation: German scientists are warning that global warming is accelerating, that the planet could heat by as much as 3°C over pre-industrial levels by 2050 — just 24 years from now — and that we could exceed 5°C of warming by the century’s end. This should be top headline news. It should alarm us all. It should spur politicians to urgent action. The consequences would be catastrophic. A 3°C rise doesn’t mean a temperature increase of that amount over the whole world. Some areas could see temperatures up to 10 degrees higher than normal, reaching more than 50°C.
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Stay Connected. Be Inspired. Get Involved.
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Join the Movement. Fuel the Change. The climate crisis won’t wait — and neither can we. At the West Coast Climate Action Network, we connect with and support nearly 300 climate organizations across BC. Together, we amplify impact, share resources, and drive urgent change.
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But we can’t do it without you!
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By becoming a monthly donor, you provide steady and reliable support that sustains the climate movement throughout the year. Your contributions fund vital coordination, advocacy, events, and tools — empowering people and organizations across BC to fight for a livable future. Monthly giving also makes it easier for you to stay connected to the cause, while helping us plan and grow with confidence
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Whether it’s $5 or $50 a month, your donation directly strengthens climate action in BC — and every dollar adds up.
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Be the spark. Join our growing community of monthly donors today.
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Thank you for standing with us in this decisive decade.
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Action Now
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📌Say NO to C-15's Undemocratic Power Grab!
From 350.org: The Federal Government is on its way to passing legislation that would give certain companies, including Big Oil, a free pass to violate environmental, labour, safety, and privacy laws. Parliament is about to vote on Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act. Hidden within it are provisions that would allow federal ministers to exempt ANY entity from the application of any provision of any federal law, other than the Criminal Code, if a minister deems it “in the public interest.” It would roll out the red carpet for the fossil fuel industry. Call your MP to vote NO to Bill C-15 unless these dangerous provisions are removed. Send your letter here
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📌Say NO to Exporting Waste to Burn or Lose Overseas (By February 28)
From Genevieve Gallant Executive Director, Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology: The single use plastics export ban was set to come into effect a few weeks ago but instead of implementing it, the government quietly suspended it in December by claiming that environmental benefits are "not proportional to the economic impact". This is such a shameful move. The government's assessment that the effect on domestic plastic pollution will be "negligible" while allowing continued exports is environmentally indefensible. You can comment here.
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Climate Solutions
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Fossil Fuel Firms May Have to Pay for Climate Damage Under Proposed UN Tax
From The Guardian: Fossil fuel companies could be forced to pay some of the price of their damage to the climate, and the ultra-rich subjected to a global wealth tax, if new tax rules are agreed under the UN. Negotiations on a planned global tax treaty resumed at the UN in New York on Monday, with dozens of countries supporting stronger rules that would make polluters pay for the impact of their activities. But developing countries are worried the current draft of the proposals is too weak, and want more robust backing from the rich world. Read more
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How a Small Canadian City Tripled Cycling Rates in Just 11 Years - Video
From Next City: Victoria has rapidly become "the strongest cycling city in North America that isn't widely known for it." With 13% of all trips being done by bike in this city of 92,000 residents, the YouTube channel Oh the Urbanity! argues that it’s achieved something unusual for a North American city. Watch here
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‘The LED of Heating’: Cheap Geothermal Energy System Makes US Comeback
From The Guardian: Minnesota housing project to draw energy from water stored deep underground, 45 years on from city’s initial research. The idea of seasonal thermal energy storage is to tuck away excess heat produced in summer, then use it in the winter to warm buildings. Read more
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The City Where Traffic Fatalities Vanished
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From Reasons to be Cheerful: A U.S. city of 60,000 people would typically see around six to eight traffic fatalities every year. But Hoboken, New Jersey? They haven’t had a single fatal crash for nine years. How did they do it? Read more
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Climate Politics and Action
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How to Turn Extreme Weather Tragedies into Climate Victories
From Waging Nonviolence: Every day, extreme weather events are creating a new wave of climate activists, many of whom have never attended a protest or signed a petition. These are people whose homes have flooded or whose communities have been destroyed by storms or wildfires. For them, climate change isn’t abstract. Their communities are facing immediate crisis. From these tragedies, there’s a window of possibility for political change. Read more
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Canada's Largest Pension Fund Retreats from Climate but Other Funds Show Leadership
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From National Observer: Canada’s biggest pension fund keeps investing in fossil fuels and backing away from climate commitments. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board invested at least $7.1 billion in new fossil fuel and pipeline assets between October 2024 and October 2025, pension watchdog Shift Action estimated in its annual report. Read more
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WE-CAN Member and Friends
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WE-CAN Together
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From WE-CAN: Did you miss the launch of WE-CAN Together? You can watch the video of the meeting here, and see the Overview slides here. More details in a future newsletter!
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Friday February 6, 12pm. The Nlaka’pamux Nation’s quA-ymn Solar Project.
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From WE-CAN: We invite you to join us, as Chief Pasco tells us about quA-ymn Solar, B.C.’s first grid-scale solar project, built on reclaimed mine lands in the Southern Interior. It represents over a decade of persistence, Indigenous leadership, and partnership to bring renewable energy onto the provincial grid. Opportunity to ask questions and explore what this project can teach us about Indigenous-led climate solutions. Register here
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WE-CAN is Seeking New Board Members - Applications due by March 15, 2026
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From WE-CAN: Do you want to join our Board? There are several positions up for election, including Treasurer. We meet twice a month, and most Board members are active on one or more of our working teams. Our purpose is to serve, support, amplify and promote the work of our 270+ member organizations, and to take whatever other actions we feel are needed to help end the global climate emergency. We strive to work with a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusivity. Read more
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Wednesday, February 11, 12:00 -1:00 pm: Confront the Climate Emergency
From WE-CAN: We invite everyone to join us as we dive into the BC Climate Emergency Campaign’s 2025 Progress Report, which gave a FAIL to 8 of the campaign’s key actions. Tracey Saxby, the report’s author, will take us through the main talking points, and suggest how we can reach out to MLAs, write to local papers, and use social media. 80% of Canadians know the climate crisis is real, and believe we have failed to care for the planet. But our politicians have seemingly persuaded themselves that no-one cares any more. We need to change this! Register here.
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Thursday February 12, 7pm Climate Book Club: Bill McKibben’s Here Comes the Sun
From WE-CAN: Our Climate Book Club meets to discuss Bill McKibben’s inspiring Here Comes the Sun. If you have read the book, you are invited to join us. If you have not …. sorry! On March 12th we’ll discuss What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. You can join the Book Club here. The link for this meeting is here.
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Campaign Accelerator: Learn Through Scenarios
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From Organizing for Change: A collaborative workshop where you’ll step into the role of a campaign team navigating real-world challenges in an 8-week immersive experience. You will make collective strategic decisions, allocate resources like funding and volunteers, deploy tactics from direct action to media outreach, and respond to events that mirror the unpredictability of real campaigns. Whether you're launching your first campaign or looking to sharpen your skills, it’s a unique opportunity to refine your climate action. Register Here. If you’d like your organization to take the training, contact sebastian@organizingforchange.org
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Green Business Spotlight
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Do You Work for a Green Business You’d Like to Profile Here?
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Climate Image of the Week
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Climate Jobs, Opportunities - and Grants!
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Real Estate Foundation Grants: Applications (By February 5)
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Need funding for a project that will help advance sustainability, equity, and social justice in land use practices in BC? On January 6, 2026, the Real Estate Foundation of BC began accepting applications for General Grants. Read more
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Climate Organizer - Coal Campaign (By February 8)
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Stand.earth is hiring a Climate Organizer to play a key role in securing a commitment from the Canadian federal government to phasing out thermal coal exports. This position, which is a one year fixed-term role based in Vancouver BC, will sit inside our Canada Oil & Gas campaign team and carry out work on our coal campaign in partnership with Ecojustice, along with other oil and gas infrastructure organizing work as needed. Read more
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Job Vacancy: Climate Reality Project Canada Executive Director
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The Climate Reality Project is seeking a dynamic, bilingual Executive Director to lead the organization at a pivotal moment for climate action. This role advances our mission nationwide through strategic fundraising, strong partnerships, and people-centred leadership, while serving as a public voice for climate solutions in Canada. Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter to naomi@crewhr.co. Read more
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Vacancies - Youth Climate Corps in the Kootenays
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From Wildsight: Hiring for the 2026 Youth Climate Corps May-August season is open! As a Climate Action Technician, you will immerse yourself in meaningful, hands-on work that builds climate-resilient communities through wildfire risk reduction, invasive species removal, and native plant establishment. You will also receive training, and gain certifications and leadership skills to help you launch a career in the environmental sector. Apply here
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You Can Take Action! Events, Protests and Rallies
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*PLEASE NOTE* If your climate organization is a WE-CAN member, click “Post your Event” under ‘Calendar’, and it will be added following approval.
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The calendar is a great networking tool, helping you connect and share events with the broader climate movement. Check it out and start posting your events today!
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Tuesday, February 3, 4 pm Plant Based Treaty - Canada Action Team
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From Plant Based Treaty: Imagine your city taking a greener, healthier approach to climate action planning, like the Canadian city of Brampton, which endorsed the Plant Based Treaty in 2024. Caledon, Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Vaughan followed in 2025! Join our monthly call to discover how you can be part of this exciting city plant based food transformation. Register here
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Thursday, February 5, 7 pm till late. Drag the Pipeline! A Fundraiser for Indigenous Land Defenders
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From Dogwood: Join us for a boisterous soiree of drag, DJs, and dancing to roast the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline, and provide funds for the courageous Indigenous and defenders resisting this colonial project. At The Cobalt, 917 Main St, Vancouver. Tickets here
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Friday, February 6, 10 am The Rise of Climate Denialism & Use of Social Media Online
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From DeSmog: Why are anti-climate messages resonating when extreme weather disasters are escalating and solutions to the crisis have never been stronger? What can people who care deeply about a liveable planet do to counter their influence? Geoff Dembicki and Kevin Grandia will share metrics showing how pro-science and pro-climate voices are being drowned out by anti-climate voices in a rapidly shifting digital media landscape. Register here
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Environment Funders
Their list of members is here - a useful source of thinking when it comes to fundraising
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WE-CAN’s Fundraising Toolkit for Climate Action Groups is here
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From all of us in the West Coast Climate Action Network
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We honour the title and rights of the Indigenous peoples on whose ancestral lands we live and work.
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