Over the weekend Prime Minister Harper said: “My 2020 target for greenhouse gas reductions is meaningless because I’ve decided to adopt whatever target the United States tells me to adopt. In the meantime, I don’t need a climate change strategy because my plan is to do nothing until the U.S. forces me to take action.”
As if this wasn’t enough, on Monday, Environment Minister Prentice attacked Quebec’s climate strategy, calling the new Quebec Environmental Quality Act “one of the most glaring examples of the folly of attempting to go it alone” on climate change.
Let’s recap. At the Federal level, we have a government that refuses to take action. At the Provincial level, we have examples of leadership (i.e. Quebec’s climate policy), which the federal government criticizes for going it alone, read: “Stop taking action on climate change, you’re making us look bad.”
One of the biggest reasons why the Copenhagen Accord is flawed—little pressure on the world’s greatest polluters to take greater action—was displayed by Canada. A top ten global polluter and already with the weakest target in the industrialized world, Canada weakened its target even further. Other countries like the EU, Australia, Russia, Norway, and New Zealand, only committed to the lower end of their previously pledged ranges. Thank goodness, these governments must be thinking, we don’t have to look those from vulnerable countries in the eye as we scale back our ambition to tackle global warming. We can just fill in a form and send it in... more
Tzeporah Berman to carry Olympic Torch by electric vehicle
On February 5th, Tzeporah Berman of CAN-Rac member organization PowerUP Canada will not only be carrying the torch on her birthday, she very well may be the first first person in the world to carry the Olympic Torch in a zero emission vehicle.
She will be riding an electric scooter with the personal hope that the 2010 Olympics will electrify the world. Both the Olympic Torch and electric vehicles are symbols of inspiration and hope. When vehicles switch from gasoline to electric, the energy needed to drive a kilometre falls by 75%. If the electricity is produced by renewable sources we can entirely break our dependence on fossil fuels.
Countries around the world are already embracing this change and as the world gathers in Canada perhaps we can also be inspired to go for the gold when it comes to developing clean energy and fighting global warming. Canada has some of the best renewable energy potential in the world and British Columbia is home to many clean technology companies that are global leaders. The Olympics are a wonderful example of successful international competition and collaboration and on the heels of the last world gathering, the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, this example could not be more important.
Details: Feb 5. Aprox. 10:23 Government Rd in Squamish near the Railway tracks. Ending at House 4813. Torchbearer number on the route OTR099-048.
The Vancouver 2010 Olympics have made the podium with a bronze medal for their efforts to reduce the event’s climate impact, according to a climate scorecard released Wednesday by the David Suzuki Foundation. Achievements of the 2010 Olympics include building energy-efficient venues, using clean-energy sources, relying on public transit during the Games, and offsetting part of the Games’ emissions.
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Meet Environmental Defence
Each newsletter, this space will feature a different member organization of Climate Action Network Canada At Environmental Defence, we believe we can make the world a greener, healthier place. To do that, we work with Canadians, decision-makers and businesses to make the environment a top priority. And, we choose strategies that will get results. With 25 years of experience protecting the earth, our work has led to significant progress for the environment.
Environmental Defence wants our elected officials to make the necessary laws and investments to make Canada a leader in the creation of clean energy jobs and reduce the impacts of dirty fuels like the tar sands.
We're working to build support for renewable energy through the Ontario Green Energy Act Alliance, to highlight how the tar sands are holding Canada back from a clean energy economy, and are working with the United Steelworkers through Blue Green Canada to support the development of good green jobs.
Canada is falling behind the clean energy boom that is unfolding today around the world.
What you can do:
1. Sign the clean energy jobs petition and encourage others to: Join other Canadians in calling on the federal government to make clean energy jobs and pollution reduction a priority.
She will be riding an electric scooter with the personal hope that the 2010 Olympics will electrify the world. Both the Olympic Torch and electric vehicles are symbols of inspiration and hope. When vehicles switch from gasoline to electric, the energy needed to drive a kilometre falls by 75%. If the electricity is produced by renewable sources we can entirely break our dependence on fossil fuels. 
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Support Environmental Defence and call for Clean Energy Jobs for CanadaAction Alert:
Canada is falling behind the clean energy boom that is unfolding today around the world.
What you can do:
1. Sign the clean energy jobs petition and encourage others to: Join other Canadians in calling on the federal government to make clean energy jobs and pollution reduction a priority.
2. Learn more about the impact of the tar sands on jobs and our environment
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