Canada was given the 'Fossil of the Year' award at the climate change conference in Copenhagen today for being the worst-performing country at the talks.
The awards are handed out by the Climate Action Network, a global consortium of non-governmental organizations. At the ceremony, presenter Ben Wikler of Avaaz.org said, "Canada's performance here in Copenhagen builds on two years of delay, obstruction and total inaction. This government thinks there's a choice between environment and economy, and for them, tar sands beats climate every time. Canada's emissions are headed nowhere but up."
Canada's greenhouse gas emission reduction targets are the equivalent to three per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2020. Earlier this week Environment Minister Jim Prentice cast doubt on his government's ability to achieve even that when he confirmed there would be concessions for the oil and gas sector.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper declined to deliver Canada's national statement to the plenary of world leaders in Copenhagen today. Prentice spoke instead, reiterating Canada's commitment to "sustainable," "low-carbon" economic growth.
"It continues the language of synchronising Canada's efforts with the US, and maintaining a one-track approach (implying a new agreement rather than the Kyoto Protocol)," wrote Rosa Kouri, a blogger following the Canadian delegation in Copenhagen. "Far as I can tell, there are no concrete targets identified, no new financing commitments, or reference to emerging science."
Colleen Kimmett reports for The Tyee.
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Frank
2 years ago
So unfair
After all, 10 environmental organizations awarded the Canadian premier with the dirtiest environmental record a prize for "climate action leadership".
Methinks there's a bit of hypocrisy at work.
Adam M
2 years ago
It's like that
It's like that because Canadians don't care enough to make environmental conservation a priority in their lives. Many have feelings on the matter and "care," but not enough to do anything.
Just look at the polling on what is important to the average Canadian; as soon as a hint of economic instability showed up, the environment dropped behind the economy and gas prices in terms of importance. Canadians look at the environment as a superfluous, luxury issue, something to indulge in when times are good.
Wilfride Laurier
2 years ago
Yup
Canadians will pay lip service to environmental issues when it means there is no need to change their lifestyles.
Frank
2 years ago
Hmmm
Taking a page from the third world, I think we should demand environmental reparations from Berman's organization for the destruction done to BC's rivers.
bluerev
2 years ago
We need to look at ourselves
We Canadians had a chance last year to elect a prime minister who had a greenhouse gas reducing policy and we did not support him. This is not the conservatives fault, it's all Canadians fault for allowing them to run this country (those who did not vote, their inaction is the same as the inaction of PM Steve). Now because of of the election results of last year we are stuck with either a PM who will give tax cuts to Oil, Gas, and heavy industry or one who will give maybe a lesser handout to these industries.
I know people will say we need a more democratic system to represent the wishes of Canadians... but we still need to system we have to best of our abilities when we have the chance.
To boot, by allowing the Conservatives to be elected we all will be paying more for things to make our lives more energy efficient through the HST, while those tax dollars will be re-routed to give the Oil and Gas industry tax breaks.
circle A
2 years ago
A made in BC solution...
Get canwest/global and the public affairs dept. on the case, they will tell all them foreigners how our walk on water golden boy campbell will save the world.Oh wait... over there they`d be talking to grown ups, not the sheep that can be so easily conned here in the bestest place on earth.
DPL
2 years ago
So, other than the award for
So, other than the award for being the biggest... did Harpo actually show up. Prentis gave a talk to an almost emplty room. Whatever happened to Canada the real nice honest hard working country beloved by all the world?
Sask Resident
2 years ago
Fossils in Copenhagen
I browse the international media and found only one reference to Canada getting the award (in a British outlet), so few take and took notice of the award.
Copenhagen had little if anything to do with the environment or climate change but was really an attempt at one group of countries, many governed by despots, to get money from another group of countries to pad their Swiss bank accounts. Those countries truly threatened by changes in climate will be helped by other countries just like if any other natural disaster occurred. But many countries did not want anyone but themselves judge if climate change had large negative effects.
Speeders don't want the police to clock how fast they are going either.