A Better World Is Possible!
Global Warming can seem pretty overwhelming when we face it alone, but together we can make a difference!
This December, world leaders are meeting in Copenhagen to agree on a treaty to stop global warming.
The Canadian Government must be a strong leader at these talks. Here is an easy way to tell them that you want action:
On October 24 we need to send a powerful message to Ottawa. Public pressure -- large numbers of people in the streets, calling for action -- is the most important way we can influence our government right now.
We need to talk to each other about the kind of world we want. Let's start working together to build a better future!
The climate talks in Copenhagen this December are crucial.
There is mounting evidence that the impacts of global warming are coming on harder and faster than previously predicted. Canada and the world have simply run out of wiggle room on this issue; we need to act now if we are to stave off irreversible, catastrophic climate change.
The UNFCC talks in Copenhagen this coming December will be a crucial and defining moment in the effort to fight global warming. At these talks, world governments must agree on a legally binding treaty that commits us to immediate, steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
No agreement in Copenhagen? No international plan for fighting global warming, and Earth keeps on heating up. We can't let that happen if we are to protect the planet for our children and grandchildren.
Our government must show bold leadership at these talks, and it must play a positive role in support of a strong international agreement to fight global warming. To take on this role, our government needs to know it has the support of the Canadian public.
The October 24th Day of Action is our chance to stand together and call on our government to take action. If we speak with one voice we will send a powerful message to Ottawa: We support strong action on global warming. Make us proud in Copenhagen!
How serious is the problem?
There is a growing intergovernmental consensus -- reasserted at the recent G8 Summit -- that a global average temperature increase of greater than 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial background levels will be catastrophic for our planet. Avoiding the two degree threshold (we're already nearly 1 degree above the preindustrial average temperature) will require unprecedented government action and public mobilisation. Just as important, time is short; the New Economics Foundation estimates that, on current trends, we will overshoot the 2 degree target in just 88 months. That's just over seven years -- less than two full terms of government in Canada.
Of course, we can't wait 88 months to start taking action -- melting ice caps, drought, forest fires, bleached coral reefs and disappearing Pacific islands are creating misery for millions of people around the world right now. The human suffering and damage to the planet that we hear about everyday in the news tell us that we can't let the earth heat up any further.
Many groups are now calling for more radical action than simply avoiding further increases in temperature. 350.org argues that we need to reduce how much carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gasses are already in the atmosphere. Other groups working for action in Copenhagen, such as TckTckTck also support this goal. This will be a long, tough job and it has to start now.
October 24th is our opportunity to tell our leaders that they must act. More information.
