Canada Action Against Climate Change

Scientists, including those from the International Panel on Climate Change and the Academies of Science in the G8 countries, are virtually unanimous in voicing concern about climate change. Mayors from around the world declared in December 2005 that "Climate change is a major global challenge requiring urgent and concerted action and collaboration by all orders of government."







A recent report published by Pembina Institute and David Suzuki Foundation, "The Case for Deep Reductions," says that industrialized countries must reduce emissions by 25 to 30 per cent by 2020 and by 85 to 90 per cent by 2050 (relative to 1990 levels). The report says, as an industrialized nation, Canada needs to reduce emissions to 25 per cent by 2020 relative to 1990 levels. This means that Canada has to reduce its emissions by 49 per cent over the next 16 years.







In Canada, climate change is expected to result in water shortages, flooding of coastal areas, stress-related disorders caused by environmental migration, and extinction of the polar bear and other northern species. Although populations living in the Far North have produced insignificant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, they are already affected and will suffer considerably from climate change.







In Canada, 88 per cent of the population support the Kyoto Protocol (Centre for Research and Information). We, the undersigned, petition the Conservative government to ensure that Canada meets its commitments under the Kyoto Accord, an internationally ratified agreement, and do its part to protect the planet from the dangerous effects of climate change. The undersigned petition the federal government:







1) As the head of the UN Climate Secretariat in 2006, Canada must play a constructive role in the international negotiations of the Kyoto Accord so signatories can decide on post-2012 targets.







2) The government must create and legislate a "made-in-Canada" solution to dramatically decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. In the past, Canada has shifted the burden of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from large final emitters to citizens. Large final emitters should be required to pay the full cost of carbon credits, effective incentives and disincentives should be introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions among the public, and the federal government should fund action at municipal, provincial and federal levels of government.







3) Canada has a tradition of positive engagement with the United States. Canada needs to exercise decisive, responsible leadership and help draw the United States into a solution to climate change.