UN Climate Change Conference – Speak Up and Get Involved!
October 14, 2009 by whymassagetherapy
Filed under Editorial
“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
From December 7 to 18th, 2009, world leaders will be meeting at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen to ratify the Kyoto Protocol – an agreement of 37 industrialized countries that is based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Protocol was agreed upon in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, and entered into effect in February, 2005.
The goal of the Protocol is, in a nutshell, to hold industrialized nations accountable for reducing carbon emissions and introducing environmentally sustainable industrial practices.
In researching Canada’s contribution (or lack thereof) to the Protocol’s compliance, I was dismayed to see on the website Climate Justice (under the auspices of Friends of the Earth) that as of October 31, 2006,
“The Kyoto Protocol Compliance Committee and the Canadian Environment Minister have today been informed that Canada is violating the Kyoto Protocol and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), thus legally requiring action under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
According to last month’s report by the Canadian Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, the gap between Canada’s GHG emissions and its Kyoto commitments is growing: Canada’s GHG emissions in 2004 were 26.6% above 1990 levels, resulting in a gap of 34.6% from Canada’s Kyoto target of a 6% reduction by 2008-2012. Per capita, Canadians are amongst the highest emitters in the world, with the production and consumption of fossil fuels accounting for 80% of these emissions.“
As it is 2009, and the UN Summit is less than 8 weeks away, I would like to think that we have improved in the last 3 years, but somehow I have my doubts.
What I don’t understand is, that in a wealthy and prosperous country that is my home (Canada), we are failing our obligations to meet the carbon reduction targets. Climate change seems to be the elephant in the room – everyone knows it’s an issue, but so few wish to acknowledge it. The argument I typically hear, unfortunately by some people close to me, is that enforcing the protocol, (to which we are legally bound, by the way) will hurt existing industry.
What is my opinion on this? (you knew it was coming). I say “bullshit“ – existing industry which violates the standards may slow down in the short term and eventually end, but Canada can and should be at the forefront of not only carbon emission reduction, but also the development and implementation of alternative, clean energy sources. After all, if our country built the Space Arm, how hard can it be to develop solar panels, wind energy and the like? And think of the jobs that can be created in these industries! The economic and environmental potential is endless, and we cannot sit by and complain about how hard things are if we haven’t stepped up to the plate and acted on our own behalf and that of future generations.
I hate to think of myself and my fellow countrymen as complacent, but it appears that if we don’t recognize that we are at the 11th hour environmentally, there is little hope for future generations. I don’t have children, but I really hate to think of my niece and the children of my friends living in an environmental wasteland that we could have prevented had we not been so lazy and complacent. How pathetic is that? And, for my American readers, don’t get high on yourselves, either. Hopefully now that Obama is in the White House, you’ll get your act together, too.
What I recommend is that you get online and check out the following links:
UN Climate Summit – Backgrounder for Canadians – read this even if you’re not Canadian but would like more information on the topic.
UN Climate Summit - Countdown to Change
Canadians – get involved, and send a message to our Prime Minister and Leaders of the Opposition – make your voice heard NOW.
United Nations Climate Change Conference – December 7 to 18th, 2009
For general environmental information, check out the David Suzuki Foundation website – David Suzuki is a true environmental hero.
If you don’t want to do this for yourselves, the polar bears or the planet, please do it for future generations. Our generation might not be around to benefit in 100 years or so, but we will be remembered as the generation who had the courage to step up, make difficult choices and make a change in the face of adversity. Wouldn’t that be a great legacy to leave?
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