| Paul Martin Issues Global Climate Change Challenge | 08 December 05 |
 Prime Minister Paul Martin opened the joint high-level segment of the UN conference on climate change in Montreal on December 7, 2005 with a clear call for strong action on climate change under the Kyoto Protocol, post 2012. Canada is host to the Conference of the Parties 11, first Meeting of the Parties under the Kyoto Protocol.The Prime Minister was clear about the realities of climate change and the responsibilities we all share. "We no longer need to ask people to imagine its effects, for now we see them. Here in Canada, our Far North has become an incubator for the altered world of tomorrow." "Climate Change is a global challenge that demands a global response, yet there are nations that resist, voices that attempt to diminish the urgency or dismiss the science - or declare, either in word or in indifference, that this is not our problem to solve. Well, it is our problem to solve. We are in this together." The plenary room was full; close to 8000 delegates and NGO representatives responded to the Canadian PM's address with a standing ovation - evidence of broad support for the message that climate change is perhaps the most important issue facing us today, and that inaction is not an option. The 2005 UNFCCC gathering is the largest COP (Conference of the Parties) to date; approximately 10,000 participants are registered, almost half of which are NGO representatives. Close to 500 representatives from Climate Action Network International member organizations are at the conference. View Prime Minister Paul Martin's speech at the opening of the Joint High Level Segment of the 2005 UN Conference on Climate Change View Environment Minister and President of the COP, Stephane Dion's remarks at the opening of the Joint High Level Segment of the 2005 UN Conference on Climate Change View the December 8, 2005 ECO article on the Prime Minister's address (PDF) View coverage of the Climate Change negotiations from the Canadian Press Sources: Manitoba Wildlands, Government of Canada |
|
