Letters

Federal MPs, July 2010, Signs of Warming Earth ‘Unmistakable’

Last week when we wrote we stressed the emergency nature of the climate crisis, and the need for strenuous action.

This week we note the publication, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a United States federal agency, of findings that the past three decades have been the hottest on record. The Globe and Mail headline says, “Signs of Warming Earth ‘Unmistakable,’” as was well known. The report, State of the Climate, however, has the merit of drawing on data from 160 research groups in 48 countries.

Conservative MPs, November, 2009 (re effective climate change targets)

We are appalled by the remarks of the minister of the environment, Jim Prentice, excusing inaction by Canada on climate change for the next number of years. He (and you) seem to be unaware of the urgency of swift action. Mounting scientific evidence indicates that polar ice is melting faster than predicted, and global warming proceeding faster. This is no time to relax.

All MPs, February 2010

Climate sceptics have been enjoying great media coverage recently, thanks to some faulty reporting in the IPCC 2007 report, and apparently misguided cover-up.

Stephen Harper, March 2010

In his letter of February 24th to La Presse, "Une position sage," your climate change expert, Mr Bernier,  claims that "Canada is right to be prudent".

He argues that there is no scientific consensus on global warming. The fact is that the Academies of Science from 19 countries plus many scientific organizations that study climate science agree that humans are causing global warming. In fact 97% of peer reviewed climate scientists endorse this consensus position.

Senators, May 2010 (re Bill C-311)

We are writing to ask you to support Bill C-311, the Climate Change Accountability Act, recently adopted in the House of Commons. You will know that this bill was studied extensively in committee. It has wide support from environmental experts and voluntary organizations. It is not, in short, a matter where we need long, sobre, second thought.   
           

Stephen Harper, June 2010 (re Environment Canada report)

We as taxpayers and environmentalists are very discouraged by the poor performance on climate change as reported recently by Environment Canada. The government's reduction goals were already far too low compared to those proposed by the world’s top climate scientists. Environment Canada now admits that we are unlikely to meet even these inadequate goals. We have to do far more than merely slow down the increases in greenhouse gas emissions.

Stephen Harper, June 2010 (re G20 agenda)

We join with the six Nobel Laureates in urging you to put climate change on the agenda for the G20 meetings.

Canada is both a major economy and a major per capita emitter of greenhouse gas emissions. We have the responsibility and the capacity to show leadership on this issue, as underlined by these distinguished Nobel Laureates.

Your excuse that the G20 meetings are to focus on the world economy misses the point. We cannot have a healthy world economy  with runaway climate change.

President Barack Obama, June 2010 (re Gulf oil spill)

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is a matter that affects all inhabitants of planet Earth.

Safer exploitation and stricter regulations address only the short-term problem. There can never be full protection against “accidents.” As sources are sought in the oceans and the Arctic, the likelihood of such disasters is only increased. Nor are the tar sands an alternative, for that exploitation is highly polluting and wastes relatively clean energy in the process, points you well know.

Federal MPs and Ontario MPPs, July 2010

We wish you a good, refreshing summer holiday.

We also hope that you will take time this summer to do some reading on the greatest challenge we have to face: the climate crisis.

Some of the world’s leading scientists have been stressing the short period of time we have to act. Note that these experts are yet hopeful that humankind can do the necessary and change our harmful lifestyles. But we have to recognize the urgency of the situation and take serious action.

Stephen Harper, January, 2010

In response to your request for advice from Canadians on the budget, we urge you to consider our country’s most critical priority, survival, which indeed is the great issue for all humankind, and most of the world’s species who cannot speak for themselves.

Economic stimulation measures should have a significant environmental component, and greenhouse gas emission reductions must be the highest priority.

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