The Harper government has completely made a U-turn and announced today that climate change will be on the agenda of the G8 and G20 summits. Many environmentalist groups have noted that since the leaders of African countries are here, it wouldn't be fair to ignore climate change as they are the most affected by this issue. Even though this is a symbolic gesture, I am not so sure how much good it will do. Back at the Cop15 conference in December, Canada did all it could to obstruct progress on this issue. I'd rather have extended talks about the economy than talks on climate change and zero progress. Or even worse, going backwards. All I hope for is that we finally get somewhere on this issue and that Canada gets pressured into adopting stronger targets.
OTTAWA—Canada has added climate change to the G8 agenda after coming under pressure from world leaders and environmentalists.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed Monday that climate change will be on the table at the G8 and G20 summits.
“We anticipate that climate change will come up, in fact, at both summits,” Andrew MacDougall said.
Read more at the
Toronto Star.
Where once our country provided the impetus to move forward we have now become the excuse not to proceed. It matters not what this prime minister places on the agenda, we are moving backwards every day.
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