Feature story - February 13, 2008
Greenpeace marked the third anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol coming into force by projecting the words "Wanted: Climate Leaders" on the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa this evening. Activists holding candles also held vigil in protest of Canada’s lack of progress on combating global warming.
Greenpeace activists projected a message to Stephan Harper's government as part of a vigil for the Kyoto Protocol.
The projection, measuring roughly 15m x 15m, lit up theParliament Buildings' Centre Block at approximately 7:00 p.m. andremained there for 30 minutes. Greenpeace activists left the siteconfident their message had been delivered.
"This isa message to everyone on Parliament Hill that global warming is at yourdoorstep and it's time to show some leadership on reducing greenhousegas emissions," said Dave Martin, Climate and Energy campaignco-ordinator for Greenpeace Canada. "The Kyoto anniversary is a sad dayfor all Canadians who have seen a lot of hot air from Parliamentcontribute to rising global temperatures."
WhenParliament ratified the Kyoto Protocol in December 2002, it agreed toreduce greenhouse gas emissions six per cent below 1990 levels between2008 and 2012. The Protocol took effect internationally on 16 February2005. However, by the end that year, emissions had increased 33 percent above our Kyoto target, placing Canada among the worst countriesin the world for reducing emissions.
"With a federalelection around the corner, it's not just the responsibility ofpoliticians to show leadership on climate change, but also the votingpublic who are going to fill the position in our want ad," saidMartin.
Greenpeace is calling for Canada to honourits Kyoto commitment and then move on to further deep reductions thatwill see greenhouse gas emissions reduced at least 25 per cent below1990 levels by 2020, and 80 per cent by 2050.