Ask the National Government to Take Action on Climate Change

Ask the National Government to Take Action

We need to tell our Prime Minister, his Environment Minister, the Opposition Leaders and our local MPs that we are voting for the people with the most ambitious targets and the most effective plan for reducing GHG emissions.

Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce emissions worldwide by 30% (from 1990 levels) by 2020 - yet our emissions have grown by 32% since 1990. This is even higher than the rise in emissions of the two industrialized countries that did not sign the Kyoto Protocol - the USA, at 22% growth, and Australia, at 20%. Seventeen industrialized countries, including Norway, Sweden and Germany, have met, or are close to meeting, their Kyoto targets.

"Canadians want this country to be a world leader ... again, and they know we can do it. They're tired of hearing politicians saying we can't," said Dr. David Suzuki, adding "Places like Europe are showing that becoming more sustainable is great for the economy. We're already seeing the effects of global warming, and it's time our leaders get their act together with new ideas."

The current government has a plan called ‘Turning the Corner on Climate Change’ which relies on ‘emissions intensity’ targets that allow GHG emissions to rise for several years, fueled in particular by unchecked oil sands development.

A more effective plan would be a return to the government’s original Bill C-30, which has gone through an extensive multi-party revision and is now a much more robust and comprehensive plan to fight global warming.

Here are a few key policies that we, as voters, should be asking our politicians at the national level to support:

Join the European Union in recognizing that, in order to prevent catastrophic climate change, industrialized nations must cut emissions 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
Meet or exceed California's vehicle emission targets.
Set significant GHG emissions reduction targets for large industries.
To achieve these targets, set a declining annual cap on total emissions, create a Canadian or North American emissions trading system that is transparent and effective, and implement a carbon tax.
End government subsidies to GHG emitting industries like oil and gas, and use subsidies and other incentives to support Canada’s transition to a carbon-friendly economy.

The Wheels for Change campaign is designing downloadable postcards, addressed to national politicians, which ask them to support the above policies. These postcards will be available here (link coming soon) and at our Wheels for Change booths.

For an easy-to-read document on what the Canadian government should be doing, Wheels for Change recommends The Sierra Club – BC Chapter’s ‘Cool Canada handout.


Home	About Us	Participate	Donate	Endorsements	Media	Links	Contact Us
Ask the National Government to Take Action We need to tell our Prime Minister, his Environment Minister, the Opposition Leaders and our local MPs that we are voting for the people with the most ambitious targets and the most effective plan for reducing GHG emissions. Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce emissions worldwide by 30% (from 1990 levels) by 2020 - yet our emissions have grown by 32% since 1990. This is even higher than the rise in emissions of the two industrialized countries that did not sign the Kyoto Protocol - the USA, at 22% growth, and Australia, at 20%. Seventeen industrialized countries, including Norway, Sweden and Germany, have met, or are close to meeting, their Kyoto targets. "Canadians want this country to be a world leader ... again, and they know we can do it. They're tired of hearing politicians saying we can't," said Dr. David Suzuki, adding "Places like Europe are showing that becoming more sustainable is great for the economy. We're already seeing the effects of global warming, and it's time our leaders get their act together with new ideas." The current government has a plan called ‘Turning the Corner on Climate Change’ which relies on ‘emissions intensity’ targets that allow GHG emissions to rise for several years, fueled in particular by unchecked oil sands development. A more effective plan would be a return to the government’s original Bill C-30, which has gone through an extensive multi-party revision and is now a much more robust and comprehensive plan to fight global warming. Here are a few key policies that we, as voters, should be asking our politicians at the national level to support: Join the European Union in recognizing that, in order to prevent catastrophic climate change, industrialized nations must cut emissions 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Meet or exceed California's vehicle emission targets. Set significant GHG emissions reduction targets for large industries. To achieve these targets, set a declining annual cap on total emissions, create a Canadian or North American emissions trading system that is transparent and effective, and implement a carbon tax. End government subsidies to GHG emitting industries like oil and gas, and use subsidies and other incentives to support Canada’s transition to a carbon-friendly economy. The Wheels for Change campaign is designing downloadable postcards, addressed to national politicians, which ask them to support the above policies. These postcards will be available here (link coming soon) and at our Wheels for Change booths. For an easy-to-read document on what the Canadian government should be doing, Wheels for Change recommends The Sierra Club – BC Chapter’s ‘Cool Canada handout.