As Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Copenhagen for the climate talks, the Council of Canadians delivered a strong message to him from more than 3,000 Canadians.
Maude Barlow, Andrea Harden-Donahue, Anil Naidoo and I took the petitions – signed by Council of Canadians members from across the country – to the Canadian embassy at Kristen Bernikows Gade 1 where they were received by embassy staff.
The petition calls for:
- setting a national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 25 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020.
- implementing an effective national plan to reach this target and help developing countries to reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change.
- adopting a bold, strengthened second phase of the Kyoto Protocol at the pivotal United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen.
Clearly and frustratingly still not acting on these basic demands backed by so many Canadians, the Globe and Mail reports that, “Mr. Harper (in Copenhagen has) huddled with officials for briefings away from the (Bella Center), did not speak publicly, and did not meet with other leaders until the gala dinner… It (even) fell to Environment Minister Jim Prentice to deliver Canada’s official statement to the plenary sessions, a brief appearance that was scheduled for late in the evening…”
