The need for leadership is unprecedented. Without action on
global warming, the human tragedy of climate change will be
staggering. There will also be devastating effects on the
environment and the global economy.
Climate scientists say that to avoid catastrophic climate change
the increase in the average global temperature must be less than 2°
C above pre-industrial levels. To have reasonable chance of
avoiding a higher temperature increase, industrial countries,
including Canada, must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions 25 to
40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020. Developed countries must
also provide a substantial amount of financing and technology for
mitigation, adaptation and forest protection in developing
countries.
Human Impacts of climate change
The evidence of significant human tragedy from climate change is
substantial and growing. The Anatomy of a Silent Crisis Human
Impact Report: Climate Change Global Humanitarian Forum, Geneva
says that every year the deaths of over 300,000 people are
attributable to climate change. Another 325 million are seriously
affected. The report notes that its" figures represent averages
based on projected trends over many years and carry a
significant margin of error. The real numbers
could be lower or higher." The report also says:
• Climate change already causes economic losses of US$125
billion annually.
• The increasing severity of events like flooding and storms
will be responsible for 500,000 deaths a year by 2030, making it
the biggest humanitarian crisis the world faces.
• Close to 310 million more people will suffer adverse health
consequences related to temperature increases; 20 million more will
fall into poverty, and a further 5 million will be displaced by
climate change.
• There are now over 400 weather-related disasters per year
and almost 90 million people require immediate assistance as a
result.
The Institute for Environment and Human Security, affiliated
with United Nations University, estimated that the number of
environmental refugees was 20 million in 2005 and predicted that by
2010 the number could be as high as 50 million. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that
there will be 150 million environmental refugees by 2050.
In Africa, an estimated 10 million people have migrated or been
displaced over the last two decades mainly because of environmental
degradation and desertification. The most widely cited figure for
the number of environmental refugees is 200 million people who
could be forced from their homes by 2050, of which 150 million
would be climate refugees. (Source: Myers, N., and Kent, J.
(1995): "Environmental exodus: an emergent crisis in the global
arena," Washington, DC: The Climate Institute.)
Canada's response to the threat of climate
catastrophe
Canada's response to the climate crisis has been unacceptable.
Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 and promised to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by six per cent below 1990 levels between
2008 and 2012. At present, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are
already about 34 per cent higher than its target under the Kyoto
Protocol. The Harper government has refused to honour the
protocol.
The Harper government says it supports only "modest" reductions
in greenhouse gas emissions. Its current target is to reduce
emissions by three per cent below 1990 levels by 2020-significantly
less than the requirement under the protocol and eight years late.
Prime Minister Harper has not supported science-based reduction
targets.
Recently, Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff delivered a major
speech on climate change. Unfortunately, the speech did not
identify a science-based reduction target for Canada. In fact, the
speech didn't have a reduction target at all despite the fact that
on the day before his speech Ignatieff voted in the House of
Commons in favour of a non-binding motion on climate change that
included a science-based target.
Both Harper and Ignatieff continue to support the development of
dirty oil in the tar sands. The tar sands are the fastest growing
source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The development of
the tar sands is a key reason for inaction on the climate crisis in
Canada.
A proper Canadian response to climate
change
Greenpeace calls on the Harper government to show leadership in
Copenhagen and to support a legally binding agreement that will
lead to significant, science-based reductions in Canada's
greenhouse gas emissions.
Canada must reduce emissions at least 25 per cent below 1990
levels by 2020. Canada must also agree to join other industrialised
countries in providing predictable funding to help developing
countries implement clean energy systems, protect tropical forests
and adapt to the impacts of climate change that are now
unavoidable. It is estimated that this funding should be about
US$140 billion a year. Canada's share would be between C$2 and $6
billion a year.
Canada must also support a funding mechanism that would end
gross deforestation and associated emissions in all developing
countries by 2020. This must include a commitment to achieving zero
deforestation by 2015 in priority areas, such as the Amazon and
Congo Basin. Areas of high conservation values and areas important
to the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and forest communities
would be given priority protection.
Expectations for the Copenhagen conference
The fundamental outcomes for a successful agreement in
Copenhagen include:
• Legally binding reduction targets of at least 25 to
40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 for industrialized
countries. The global scientific community has established
these targets for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions as
necessary in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Purchase of international credits or emission permits must be in
addition to these reductions.
• Massive funding for mitigation and adaptation to
climate change in the developing world. Industrial nations
need to provide both private and public funding to help the
developing world reduce emissions, adapt to unavoidable impacts of
climate change, halt deforestation, and adopt clean energy
technologies.
• An effective carbon market providing at
least US $140 billion annually for mitigation and adaptation in
developing world. Much of this fund could be generated by an
international emissions trading system. Canada's share would be
between C$2 and $6 billion.
• Rejecting unsustainable technologies like carbon
capture and nuclear. These unproven and unsustainable
technologies should not be recognized as legitimate elements of
flexibility mechanisms or carbon markets.
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For more information, please contact:
Jessica Wilson, Media and Public Relations Officer, (778)
228-5404
Catherine Vézina, Media and Public Relations Officer, (514)
212-5749
Mike Hudema, Climate and Energy Campaigner, (780) 504-5601
Christy Ferguson, Climate and Energy Coordinator, (416)
451-9354