Tiempo Climate Newswatch

Canada withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol a day after the Durban Climate Change Conference ended. It wishes to avoid paying penalties of US$13.6 billion for failing to meet its emissions targets. Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, expressed regret at the decision, though, she said, "whether or not Canada is a party to the Kyoto Protocol, it has a legal obligation under the [climate change] convention to reduce its emissions, and a moral obligation to itself and future generations to lead in the global effort."

Shortly after the government's withdrawal, the Canadian province of Quebec announced the launch of a cap-and-trade system in 2012. During a trial run that could lead to a continental system, carbon emitters in the province will be able to trade emission allowances on a local market. In 2013, caps will be imposed on large industrial polluters and, in 2015, fuel distributors and importers who exceed an annual threshold will also be subject to the capping. "Quebec thus officially steps to the starting line, next to California," said environment minister Pierre Arcand. California has a similar plan for a carbon market based on regulations established under the Western Climate Initiative, a collaboration of 11 states and provinces aimed at curbing emissions formed in 2007 in response to concerns about inaction at the national level.

More than 600 people are feared dead as a result of drowning or landslides as tropical storm Washi passed over southern Mindanao in the Philippines. The ports of Cagayan de Oro and Ilagan City were worst affected. "It's the worst flood in the history of our city," said Iligan mayor Lawrence Cruz. "It happened so fast, at a time when people were fast asleep."

Benito Ramos from the Civil Defense Office said that, despite four days of warnings, the high casualties in Mindanao were "partly to the complacency of people because they are not in the usual path of storms." Storms with a track such as that followed by Washi only occur once in about 12 years. More than a month of average rains fell in 12 hours. Troops, police, reservists, coast guard officers and civilian volunteers involved in rescue efforts have been hampered by flooded-out roads and a lack of electricity.

Women are facing disproportionately high risks to their livelihoods and health from climate change, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In communities vulnerable to climate change, women are often more likely than men to lose their lives during natural disasters, due to poor access to coping strategies or cultural factors that restrict mobility. Lack of formal education, poverty, discrimination and food insecurity all contribute to the vulnerability of women and human trafficking is emerging as a potentially serious risk associated with climate-related disasters as social safety nets are disrupted.

The report concludes that investing in low carbon, resource-efficient green technologies, water harvesting and fuelwood alternatives can strengthen climate change adaptation and improve women's livelihoods. "Women often play a stronger role than men in the management of ecosystem services and food security. Hence, sustainable adaptation must focus on gender and the role of women if it is to become successful," said UNEP executive director Achim Steiner. "Women's voices, responsibilities and knowledge on the environment and the challenges they face will need to be made a central part of Governments' adaptive responses to a rapidly changing climate," he continued.