The KYOTOplus Solution to the Global Warming Crisis
Webinar Date and Time: Monday, September 28, 2009 - 9:00pm EST (North America)
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The KYOTOplus Solution to the Global Warming Crisis
With David H. Martin, Climate and Energy Coordinator, Greenpeace Canada
We have the technology to stop global warming, but we lack political leadership. The fate of the earth will be decided at the United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
The KYOTOplus campaign, supported by over 75 groups is calling for a 25% reduction of Canadian emissions (from 1990 levels) by 2020.
Canadians can support this campaign by signing the KYOTOplus petition ...
http://kyotoplus.greenpeace.ca/ ...and by becoming a Climate Defender! It’s easy to create your own activist page on the Greenpeace site.
Global warming is “unequivocal”. The ten hottest years ever recorded have all occurred since 1997.
A global average temperature increase (above pre-industrial levels) of 1.5°Centigrade would lead to irreversible impacts, and 2°C risks catastrophic runaway climate change.
In Canada we are already witnessing impacts such as: severe weather events; a 40% loss of summertime Arctic sea ice since 1960; forest destruction by pine beetles due to warmer winters; and loss of glaciers and perma-frost.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Canada committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 6% below 1990 levels by 2012. However, emissions rose to 747 million tons in 2007 – 26% above 1990 levels, and 34% above our Kyoto target.
The KYOTOplus campaign is calling for 25% reduction below 1990 levels by 2020.
The Harper government target (20% below 2006 levels by 2020) is actually less than 3% below 1990 levels.
The Greenpeace report, Energy [R]evolution, shows that Canada can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector 40% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
The tar sands are responsible for a large and increasing share of the growth in Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Canada must reduce its own emissions and also support a binding, equitable international agreement in Copenhagen to achieve deep emission reductions. This requires funding and policies to create an energy revolution and protect forests, while meeting the needs of the poor.
Failure will doom our descendents and our planet to unparalleled catastrophe.
Dave Martin has 25 years of experience as a researcher, policy analyst and campaigner on energy conservation, renewable technologies, nuclear power, and climate change. He has spoken widely on energy issues and has served as a consultant in various regulatory proceedings. Since July 2004, he has been Climate and Energy Coordinator for Greenpeace Canada.