Canada, Don't Gut The Kyoto Protocol!
Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent sandbagged the climate change summit taking place in Durban, South Africa when he dismissed the Kyoto Protocol as an out-of-date liberal "blunder." Though Canada has not formally withdrawn its signature from the protocol--which gathers nations of the world together in a commitment to lower greenhouse emissions--Canada has already dropped the ball in fulfilling its Kyoto promises.
The international protocol required Canada to cut emissions to six percent below 1990 levels by 2012. But in 2009, the country's emissions were at 17 percent OVER 1990 levels, according to a recent Reuters.com article. Meanwhile, most scientists agree that the planet is already committed to dangerous levels of climate change that will increase violent storms and loss of biodiversity.
Tell Canada that withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol would send a cynical message of contempt for the environment to developing nations. Tell it to instead take honest measures to lower carbon emissions in conformance with Kyoto standards.
We the undersigned beg you not to withdraw your support of the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is the only international instrument calling for ALL countries to participate in lowering carbon emissions and staving off the worst effects of climate change. Global warming has already caused flooding and destruction of some of the world's poorest coastal and island communities.
Global warming has already destroyed the habitats of certain amphibians and disrupted bird migrations. While it is true that China and India need to step up to the plate and commit to lowering carbon emissions, that is no excuse for Canada to throw out two decades of hard-fought negotiations.
Commit to the Kyoto Protocol in word and actions. Lower carbon emissions. Don't sacrifice your planet's future for short-term oil gains.
