Copenhagen Climate Summit Begins

December 7 to December 18 2009, Canada will be joining the rest of the world in Copenhagen to negotiate a new treaty to address climate change.

The treaty is about much more than stabilizing the climate. At stake is the security of our energy, food and water. At stake is human development, human health and human rights. At stake is the sustainability of our ecosystems, renewable resources and economy. At stake is our future.

"We are certainly going to face a dire crisis, if not a catastrophe, across the world," says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, urging countries like Canada to seal the deal on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

As we address our current economic challenges around the world, many people are asking why we were not prepared, why we did not see it coming?

Now, as the UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winning scientists and economists tell us loudly and clearly the dangers that we face with climate change, we must pay attention.

Unfortunately, Canada has not been living up to its treaty responsibilities. Our government is now working to weaken the climate negotiations.

It is critical that right now, we Canadians demand real action on climate change.

It is time for real leadership.

Background

World leaders are gathering in Copenhagen to negotiate a global agreement on climate change for the post-Kyoto period. The decisions they make will determine the world our children inherit. Failure to commit to the dramatic changes that science demands could leave a vastly impoverished planet this century, no longer able to sustain us all.

Emerging science indicates that the emissions reduction targets being discussed in Copenhagen are likely too weak and Canada is proposing targets well short of this inadequate range. The Green Party of Canada is joining with Canadians to press our government for the commitments our children need.

Now is the time for Canada to take responsibility.

Green Party Will be There!

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Jacques Rivard, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada will both be attending the negotiations in Copenhagen along with a large delegation of European Greens to push for meaningful political action on Climate Change.

Watch our website for updates from Elizabeth and Jacques on how the negotiations are going – check out their blogs and for video updates.

Join Elizabeth May at the Send-Off to Copenhagen Climate Rally happening Thursday, December 10th at the Halifax Airport Hotel @ 7:30 pm AT in Salon 200.

What can we do?

1. Find out more and demand clear targets e.g. 350.org
2. Sign a petition e.g. KYOTOplus or Hopenhagen
3. Write a letter to the editor
4. Write to Environment Minister Jim Prentice: minister@ec.gc.ca
5. Discuss the situation, use your voice, be heard
6. Vote - we can change our lightbulbs and our leadership

Sign the Kyoto Plus Petition

CBC News - World - Delegates in Denmark for climate summit

CBC News - World - Delegates in Denmark for climate summit

Global Day of Action

Saturday is the Global Day of Action on Climate Change.  Please join Toronto Greens and other Torontonians to celebrate life and this planet we love, and to demand a good future for ourselves, our children, our communities, our grandchildren.  Take part in the global movement initiated by 350.org to press world leaders for the decisive action climate change demands.

World leaders are gathering in Copenhagen this December to negotiate a global agreement on climate change for the post-Kyoto period.  The decisions they make will determine the world our children and grandchildren inherit.  Failure to commit to the dramatic changes that science demands could leave a vastly impoverished planet this century, no longer able to sustain us all.

Emerging science indicates that the emissions reduction targets being discussed in Copenhagen are likely too weak, and Canada is proposing targets well short of this inadequate range.  The Green Party of Canada is joining with Canadians to press our government for the commitments we need.  Now is the time for Canada to take responsibility.

What can we do?  Participate in any/all of the following on October 24:

2 pm - Join Toronto Greens at the 350.org Rally for Climate Action in Queen's Park organized by the Toronto Climate Campaign.

4:30 pm - Gather with Toronto Greens at O'Grady's Tap & Grill, 171 College St.

6 pm - Watch The Age of Stupid with U of T Greens at Sidney Smith Hall, room 2102, 100 St. George St.  See the movie for $10 or buy a Green Party membership for $10 and see the movie free.

Please spread the word:  bring your kids and grandkids, bring your friends and neighbours, tell your colleagues and your classmates ... lots of participation will make a huge impact!

We have one Earth, for all of us to share.  Help make October 24 a celebration of our Earth, now and for the future. 

China to take the lead on climate?

Expectations were building for China to take the lead on climate change, as some 100 world leaders gather Tuesday to breathe new life into deadlocked negotiations.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called the biggest-ever summit of national leaders on climate change some 100 days before a high stakes gathering in Copenhagen, which is meant to seal a successor to the landmark Kyoto Protocol.

We will have to wait and see, but China is trying to seal itself as a new world leader and the competition with India is getting fiercer, but a country like China could make very minor changes to its laws regarding pollution, industry waste and the like and due to its sheer size, would make a HUGE impact.

Any sort of pollution limitation and advances toward greener economies are still advances, but I have a feeling this may get blown out of proportion. Even with significant cuts to pollution and changes to laws, China would, like the United States, still be a major contributor to the amounts of pollution and greenhouse gases on earth.

This future is going to be very interesting.

Will this be China's biggest move yet to assert itself as the new world superpower?

That day is coming, and the west is currently funding it.