The “informed” and “survival-driven” award Canada with a fossil of the day

(Durban, South Africa) Canada has been awarded yet another Fossil of the Day award on the fifth day of climate change negotiations in Durban, South Africa. This “prize”, given to countries who are blocking progress at the United Nations climate summit, is awarded daily by a coalition of 700 leading international NGOs.

The text for the presentation of the award is as follows:

Canada’s Environment Minister, Peter Kent, stated yesterday that the fossils awarded to Canada this week came from the “uninformed” and the “ideologically driven”.

Yet, from the perspective of people on the frontlines of global climate change, it would seem that Kent is one of the most “uninformed” Environment Ministers in the world.  Rather than acknowledge its historical responsibility for climate change and work with other nations towards finding solutions, Canada seems to be ideologically driven to put polluters before people and profit before a healthy planet.

When Canada’s fossils were announced in the House of Commons, a round of applause broke out. Is the Canadian government laughing about death, starvation, and displacement?

If Peter Kent were in Durban right now, he would know that no one’s laughing here. In fact, other countries are condemning Canada for negotiating in bad faith.  Canada is leaving the world no choice but to leave them behind here in Durban.

-30-

For media inquires:

Hannah McKinnon
hmckinnon@climateactionnetwork.ca
613.276.7791
+27 (0) 741796151 (Durban)