Last Saturday, more than 30,000 people — much higher than media estimates — from across Ontario joined the People First rally in Toronto during the G20 Summit. Our message was clear: we told world leaders — including our own Prime Minister Stephen Harper — to put the needs of human beings and the environment ahead of all other considerations as they deliberated over the weekend.
World leaders treading water when it comes to acting on climate change
The G8/G20 meetings ended on Sunday with world leaders largely ignoring mounting international outrage about the impacts of fossil fuels and global climate change.
To see Climate Action Network Canada member responses to the G8 communiqué, click here, and for responses to the G20 communiqué, click here.
Government ignores own advice to phase out fossil fuel subsidies
The briefing note outlined two possible routes. The first option, which was recommended by the Department of Finance, was for Canada to lead by example and phase out remaining tax breaks to oil, gas and coal producers. The second option, which PM Harper chose this weekend at the G20, was to make no policy change and instead "seek to minimize the commitment".
Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE, at www.nuclearfreealberta.ca) is an Alberta citizens' coalition supporting the use of sustainable energy options such as wind, solar, and biomass, as well as clean energy options such as cogeneration with natural gas, and of course dramatic improvements in our approach to conservation and efficiency. We are opposed to the development of nuclear power in Alberta; a technology with unacceptable environmental, health, economic, and security risks. We dispute the argument that nuclear can be a climate change solution; nuclear plants take too long to build, and they draw enormous financial and technological resources which can be developed quicker and far more cost-effectively, without the legacy of radioactive wastes.
Since CAUSE’s 2007 inception we have invited respected, credible speakers to Calgary to share their knowledge and experiences of nuclear power with Calgarians, the local media, and one-on-one with local politicians. In September of 2010,we are bringing Hunter Lovins to Calgary for two presentations. For more information, contact .
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For discussion on various issues surround the G20 in Toronto, and information on upcoming detainee solidarity events, join the Facebook Group of Canadians Demanding a Public Inquiry into Toronto G20.