This week the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release its latest five-yearly report on the science of climate change as Kyoto tops the agenda for the 2007 Canadian Parliament.
The IPCC is mandated to advise the world's governments on the science, impacts, economics, and technology related to climate change. Leaked drafts of the report due out February 2nd indicate that top climate scientists are more certain than ever that greenhouse gas pollution is the dominant cause of global warming.
"The IPCC report will confirm the overwhelming scientific consensus that greenhouse gas increases will have dramatic impacts", said Johanne Whitmore of the Pembina Institute. "To avoid those impacts, governments, including the Government of Canada, must take immediate action to initiate deep emissions cuts."
Kyoto remains top of mind for Canadians in 2007. Rich countries that ratify the protocol are required under international law to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases or use emissions trading to pay others to reduce theirs. The Kyoto Protocol now covers 168 countries globally, including 35 industrialized nations with binding targets and numerous developing countries that are reducing their emissions through the protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.
"Achieving our Kyoto target and fully engaging in the international United Nations process to avert catastrophic climate change remain at the top of the list for all Canadians", said Louise Comeau of the Sage Centre. "This session of parliament, this group of MP's and this Prime Minister must act now and commit to fully implementing our Kyoto obligations."
Global action on the climate crisis is intensifying around the world. The European Commission has challenged Canada, the United States and all other developed countries to join the EU in cutting emissions 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 to stop the planet from warming by 2 degrees C. California is implementing a range of aggressive policies and has committed to cut its emissions to 80% below the 1990 level by 2050.
"If we want to avoid the wholesale collapse of Arctic ecosystems, Canada must base its emission reduction targets on the science of what is necessary to keep the Earth from warming by 2 degrees C", said Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation. "To get on track, Stephen Harper must produce and immediately start implementing a credible, comprehensive greenhouse-gas reduction plan."
CAN-RAC is a network of over 40 member organizations including Greenpeace, Sierra Club of Canada, Equiterre, Pembina Institute, KAIROS, The Assembly of First Nations, World Wildlife Fund and the David Suzuki Foundation as well as major faith and labour organizations. Members work together for federal, provincial and local government action in defense of the climate.