COP21: An Islander's perspective

The head of the University of Prince Edward Island's Climate Lab is excited about a proposal at the Paris climate change conference to shift the source of electricity in countries around the equator within the coming decade.

Climate Lab director Adam Fenech said the proposal would see countries within 20 degrees latitude of the equator stop importing electricity over the next decade.

"That they use all renewable energy, both from solar and wind," said Fenech. "We're thinking that that might actually come out of this meeting."
Fenech said he's most encouraged by the spirit of the conference.

While he has been part of past conferences that set hard targets for emissions, he is watching more countries come to the table with their own plans to help.

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"The optimism is high. I don't think we are going to meet the big target that we are looking for. But I think there is going to be enough momentum coming out of this meeting here in Paris to make a difference in terms of combating climate change," Fenech said from Paris.

"Setting goals for green technology, you know, renewable energy — just moving ourselves toward a better society where we don't have to burn fossil fuels."    

Fenech, who used to work for Environment Canada, has attended previous climate conferences as part of an official delegation.

This time around, he is an observer, with a different role.

"I'm around helping groups that don't have expertise in the science or policy of climate change, and helping them in making decisions on what they should support and not support as we come to an agreement after two weeks."