Peter Kent has announced Canada will pull out of the Kyoto Accord. Not only is Canada abdicating its responsibility to fulfil its obligations to drastically reduce GHG emissions, but Canada is actively undermining the will of other nations to take action during this most critical period.
Furthermore, Peter Kent has announced "Nor will we devote our scarce dollars to capitalize the new Green Climate Fund - part of the Durban agreement - until all major emitters accept legally binding reduction targets and transparent accounting of greenhouse gas inventory."
Our emissions continue to rise. Current science advises that we must limit global temperature rise to 1.5º C. The non binding "agreement" at Durban puts us on track for a global temperature rise of 4º C. Earth at such a range is not the same Earth as that on which human civilization emerged. Most species, plants and humans included, will not be able to adapt to rapid changes in temperatures. Such a rise signifies the end of life as we know it.
We are a wealthy nation, well equipped to do our part to reduce GHG emissions, and to demonstrate compassion towards our fellow humans and companion species. Yet, under the current misleadership, we pretend to participate in international negotiations; Canada insinuates itself into the process only to dismantle the hard won plan for survival. Canada selfishly puts profit over life.
This is Canada's shame.
HUNGRY FOR CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
In response to the federal government's decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol, we are holding a candlelight vigil of hope and solidarity at the Constituency Office of Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment on Wednesday, December 21.
Meet at the SW corner of *Steeles and Yonge at 3:30 pm,
to walk (30 minutes) to Peter Kent's Constituency Office, 7600 Yonge St.(on the west side of Yonge St., midway between Elgin and John)
or join us there any time (4 pm - 6:30 pm).
*By TTC, make your way to Finch station, then take bus #53 or #60 a short ride north to Steeles and Yonge.
Speeches, meditation, poetry readings, and music.
Dress warmly. Bring a candle and drip catcher.
Noisemakers, drums, other instruments welcome!
A symbolic fast will be held from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning. If you’re fasting, let us know: info@torontoclimatecampaign.org or on Facebook. You’re welcome to break the fast with us: Drop in between 8:00 to 9:30 am on Thursday December 22, at Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue - walk N of St. George station).
Please take action. Contact your MP!
Lobby your representative to act now on climate change before it is too late.
“We Canadians need to learn to be outraged by the outrageous.
We need to learn that democracy is now a full contact sport that
requires us to repeatedly raise our voices in order to be heard” –
Matt Price, in the Huffington Post, Dec. 15, 2011
"When we compromise the air, water, soil and the variety of life, we steal from the endless future to serve the fleeting present" - Dr. Kirsty Duncan, MP
"If we burn even half of Earth's remaining fossil fuels we will destroy the planet as humanity knows it" - James Hansen
For more information regarding the outcome of climate talks in Durban:
and information on recent climate events:
For more info re this event:
