Canadian Youth Delegation to Poznan Media Releases Are Available Below .
For media inquiries please contact:
- Nicolas Nadeau, Communications Team , +48 510735407 (Poland mobile), nicolas.nadeau[at]cydpoznan.org
- Rosa Kouri, Communications Team , +48 507669555 (Poland mobile), rosa.kouri[at]cydpoznan.org
- Barbara Hayes, National Director, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition , 613-255-5724, director[at]ourclimate.ca
Media Release
Opposition talks coalition with Canadian youth at Poznan climate conferenceDecember 12, 2008
(POZNAN, POLAND) For the first time ever, the three federal environment critics, Ken Dryden (Liberal), Bernard Bigras (Bloc), and Linda Duncan (NDP) and Green party leader Elizabeth May met together to discuss climate change with 26 Canadian youth attending the UN climate conference in Poznan, Poland. The youth delegation seized this rare opportunity, with all four leaders together at the conference, to organize the meeting. They were curious to hear about the potential for a coalition government and what it would mean for climate policy in Canada. According to the group, this was the first time that members of the coalition had come together to focus on a specific issue.
With Canada strongly criticized by the international community at the climate talks for its lack of ambition, critics are concerned that it is blocking effective and essential global action on climate change. The agreement to be reached at next year's conference in Copenhagen is considered to be the last chance to keep global warming below 2°C, a critical threshold beyond which disastrous climate tipping points will be reached. Leading up to Copenhagen, Canada's full participation and leadership is critical, and over the next year they must adopt ambitious climate policies to move in step with the international community.
"We need a climate-friendly government for the next twelve months leading up to Copenhagen," said youth delegate Thea Whitman. "We are consistently frustrated by Canada's obstructive behaviour at the talks."
"We've lost confidence in our government's ability to back up their smooth words on the climate portfolio," added delegate Francois Decary. "It's time that the 83% of Canadians who want real action on climate change are adequately represented."
Included in an agreement signed two weeks ago by all coalition parties was a strong climate plan. "Although we believe that the coalition doesn't go far enough, their position brings us much more hope," said Whitman. "This morning's meeting was an exciting glimpse into how Canada could resume its role as a climate leader."
Media Release
Young Canadians Encouraged by Dialogue, Disappointed in Canada's lack of Green VisionDecember 11, 2008
(POZNAN, POLAND) Members of the Canadian Youth Delegation were encouraged after holding an open and honest dialogue with Environment Minister Jim Prentice earlier today, but were disappointed after the Minister failed to address the important issues raised by the delegation in his speech to the UN conference in Poznan.
After a frustrating and emotional meeting with Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner on Wednesday, youth delegates left today's meeting with Minister Prentice feeling cautiously optimistic that he had listened to their call for Canada to reform its bad behavior on the climate crisis, particularly by setting strong emission reduction targets and helping to invest in a new, green economy for future generations.
However, they were disappointed when they heard the content of his speech to the plenary later in the day.
"The Minister's official address to the assembly did set a new tone from those of previous ministers, particularly his predecessor John Baird. The address was more civil and the Minister seemed open to talking, but unfortunately he just didn't say enough," says youth delegate Rosa Kouri.
"There's no green vision here. He deliberately withheld the strong commitments necessary for Canada to become a leader in international climate negotiations. At this point in the talks, this is unacceptable. He can and should do much better, " continues Kouri.
Delegates were disappointed that the Minister still hasn't mentioned science based targets in the range of 25-40% reductions by the year 2020 – which is the basic requirement for preventing runaway climate change.
Young delegates are further disappointed that the Minister is waiting to endorse the principles of Project Survival, an initiative launched by international youth in Poznan. By signing their commitment, countries agree to the right to survival of all peoples and countries from the impacts of climate change.
"We don't understand what there is to think over with an issue this clear," said youth delegate Francois Decary-Gilardeau. "Over 80 countries signed on to this right away, and we hope that Minister Prentice will sign it soon."
The Canadian Youth Delegation is scheduled to meet with representatives of opposition parties at the UN conference on Friday, including the NDP, Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and Green Party.
Media Release
Government orders youth to tear down oil sands display at climate negotiations.December 10, 2008
(Poznan, Poland) Canadian youth respond to confrontational day at UN negotiations
Canadian Youth at the UN climate negotiations in Poznan, Poland, had a challenging day as they struggled to engage meaningfully with Alberta environment minister Rob Renner and later discovered their photo display exploring Canada’s tar sands had been torn down at the demand of the Canadian government delegation.
Canadian youth met Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner and engaged in a heated dialogue about Alberta’s lackluster environmental performance and its implications for Canada’s role in the international effort to combat global warming. The youth were astonished by the Minister’s lack of ambition regarding Alberta’s commitments to preventing catastrophic global warming, and his denial of the destructive health and environmental effects of the Alberta oil sands.
Christel Hyshka, from Edmonton, said in response to the meeting, ‘‘Minister Renner tried to convince us that Alberta was a climate leader, but there is no denying that the oil sands are the fastest growing source of emissions in Canada, and that its unrestrained development will make meeting any significant greenhouse gas reduction target nearly impossible for our country. They acknowledge the risk, but are unwilling to take responsibility. Quite frankly, as an Albertan I’m embarrassed that this is a message they are bringing to the international stage”.
Ministers and delegates from around the world are gathered in Poznan to develop a new agreement to address global warming. ‘‘I can’t think of a more inappropriate place for Alberta to look for support,” says Canadian Youth Delegate Nicolas Nadeau, “it’s unbelievable that Minister Renner has the audacity to come to the climate change conference to promote the tar sands.’’
One young Canadian living downstream from the oil sands in Fort Smith, Heather Sayine-Crawford, offered, “In our meeting, Minister Renner refused to acknowledge the evidence that toxins from the oil sands production are linked to increased prevalence of rare and fatal cancers amongst people in my community, as well as significant adverse environmental impacts.”
In a final affront, a youth-created display of oil sands photos was torn down at the demand of the Canadian government delegation. “If Canada is willing to promote oil sands development abroad, they need to be honest. All we had up were simple aerial photos of the tar sands, we don’t understand what they were trying to hide. We didn’t realize that this was actually Canada’s dirty secret ”, affirmed Alex Doukas, a resident of Calgary.
Youth delegates are available for comment on the display and their meeting with Minister Renner. Photographs of the meeting are available.
Media Release
Canadian Youth Announce No Confidence in Current Climate Policy
December 4, 2008
(Poznan, Poland) Young Canadians attending the UNFCCC conference announced today that they have lost confidence in the Canadian government for being unable to effectively address climate change.
Members of the Canadian Youth Delegation delivered their message following the ‘Fossil of the Day’ mock award ceremony at the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. Canada swept the Fossil awards – a dubious distinction for the country considered to most obstruct or delay negotiations during the annual conference.
The youth delegates delivered their message holding Canadian flags and surrounding a banner that read: No Confidence. They will also release a companion video online conveying their message.
As the federal Conservative government faces a possible confidence vote on December 8 in Parliament, young Canadians attending the climate talks are demanding responsible direction from political leaders to deal with climate change. Recent polls show eighty-three per cent of Canadians want strong action on climate change.
“By failing to show leadership on this issue, failing to cooperate with the international community, and establishing policies that seem to ignore the science on climate change, young Canadians have lost faith that the current government can bring about the much needed change on this issue,” said Canadian youth delegate Rosa Kouri.
“Young Canadians have already lost confidence, the rest of the country needs to catch up,” continues Kouri. “Because our political system is so dysfunctional, we doubt that postponing an inevitable no confidence vote will solve our problems. The majority of Canadians are behind strong action on climate change and it’s time for Canadians to unite behind this issue.”
“There is a real sense of urgency among young Canadians to address this climate crisis now,” said delegate Nicolas Nadeau. “Our future is on the line and we need a government that fully understands this.”
The Canadian Youth Delegation is a non-partisan group of 26 young Canadians from across the country who have come together to share the voice of Canadian youth with policymakers and connect young people across Canada to the international community. The CYD seeks to engage Canadian youth to create positive change in the international climate policy process.
Media Release
Youth At Forefront of Poznan Climate Talks
December 3, 2008
(Poznan, Poland) While their government hangs in limbo, Canadian youth are leading a ground-breaking international youth movement to address climate change. For the first two weeks of December, over 500 young people from around the world are attending the 14th annual UN Climate Change negotiations in Poznań, Poland. These leaders are here to demand global cooperation towards an ambitious climate treaty. International youth are pushing for policies that reflect current scientific understanding and ensure a safe and equitable future.
Overall, youth delegations from over 50 countries will stress the urgency of the climate crisis and highlight the opportunities that decisive action will create. Current plans include building the global youth movement by supporting smaller delegations, shaming negotiators who obstruct the policy process, and demanding that a youth voice be heard in the official meetings
Specifically, twenty-five Canadian youth aged 17-26 are attending the conference as part of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. They are blogging through text and video, analysing policy developments, staging creative actions, co-presenting the notorious Fossil of the Day awards, communicating with up to 35,000 youth internationally through the mass dialogues, and have organized two international capacity building trainings to kick-off the conference. The Canadian Youth Delegation has already met with the official negotiators, and will continue to track how the current domestic political and economic uncertainty will influence the negotiations.
Despite the challenges they face, the youth are adamant that failure is not an option. “These negotiations began when I was four years old. We’ve been coming here year after year, and I’m tired of trying to convince the negotiators to take climate change seriously. Time is running out, and I’m here to tell my leaders that my future is not negotiable. I want to know that rich countries will peak their emissions in the next four years and provide financial help for developing countries to do the same. Any global climate deal must be equitable, and provide for sustainable development.” said Liz McDowell, 23, a youth delegate hailing from Vancouver.
All members of the CYD are available for comment. A list of delegates is attached below. Youth produced media can be found on the media centre at www.cydpoznan.org .
The International Youth Climate Movement Channel
The International Youth Climate Movement Channel showcases media created by international youth delegates who are attending the Fourteenth Conference of Parties (COP14) at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and youth media which was produced at previous Conference of Parties.
