As another missed opportunity at another disappointing G8 summit comes to a close, Canada emerged yet again as a global climate villain. Led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Canadian government distanced itself from any real commitments to stopping catastrophic climate change.
"The G8 position on climate change is bad, but Canada's position is far worse," said Dave Martin, Greenpeace Canada climate and energy coordinator. "Stephen Harper has zero credibility on a global scale by saying he supports the G8 call for science-based targets when back home, Canada's targets completely fail to reflect the urgent threat of global warming emissions."
The G8 recognized the science-based assumption that any increase of the global average temperature above 2 degrees C from pre-industrial levels will result in catastrophic climate change impacts. The G8 called for an 80 percent reduction of emissions by 2050, but failed to specify a base year.
However, despite these promising goals and apparent support from Prime Minister Harper, Canadian Environment Minister Jim Prentice was quick to clarify Canada's stance with cold contempt for the international community by saying that Canada will not change its climate policies, and that the targets set were merely "aspirational."
"It's up to the people of Canada to demand leadership on the global warming crisis," said Martin. "Because right now, when we need them the most, the Harper government is complete missing in action."
Greenpeace Demands Action
This morning, Greenpeace activists on inflatable boats painted a coal ship in Civitavecchia, near Rome, with the message G8: FAILED. This activity
marks the culmination of a week of Greenpeace protests around the world in the United States, Russia, France and Italy calling on the G8 to set the conditions for reaching a climate saving agreement at the Copenhagen UN Climate Summit in December.
Across Italy, more than 100 activists have occupied, painted, blocked and hung off cranes at five Italian coal-fired power stations, pointing to coal as the world's worst climate killer, and calling for G8 leadership. Greenpeace activists are still occupying two of the power stations, but end their protest today when the G8 meeting ends.
"While Greenpeace has been demonstrating what real climate action looks like, G8 inaction has brought the world one step closer to catastrophic climate change. They are hiding their lack of leadership behind hollow words and empty gestures," said Julien Vincent, of Greenpeace Australia, from on top of the Brindisi coal plant chimney. "We call on all people to take whatever peaceful action they can to compel their leaders to deliver strong targets for cutting greenhouse gases before the new climate treaty is negotiated in December."
G8 Summit
The G8 leaders have abdicated action on climate change to future generations. They have left those least able to tackle climate change even more vulnerable to its devastating effects.
"They had an historic opportunity but have squandered it, by failing to commit to mid-term emissions cuts and deferring discussion on money to enable the developing world to tackle climate change to the G20. Today the G8 heads of state have proven themselves to be mere politicians who talk and not the leaders who take the decisive action the world needs.
"The G8 was a disgusting abdication of leadership and responsibility. Instead of seizing the opportunity to tackle climate change and saving the world's most vulnerable countries, including African nations, from the devastating effects it is already causing, they deferred responsibility to future governments and future generations. Their legacies and more importantly our futures are at stake.
"Although finally admitting temperatures must not rise above 2 degrees Celsius, they gave us no way to achieve this. The United Nations will hold a crisis session on climate change in on September 22, these heads of state need to be ready. The time for action is now," said Guruswamy Ananthapadmanabhan, Greenpeace International Programme Director.