Canada wins a fossil of the day award for being flexible when it comes to facts, but not when it comes to their Kyoto stance

Climate Action Network Canada

For Immediate Release

(Durban, South Africa) Canada has been awarded yet another Fossil of the Day award on the eighth 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 position has been clear when it comes to Kyoto – without movement from large industrializing emitters, Canada will not budge. Over the weekend you may say that China called this bluff by announcing openness to a more flexible position at the climate talks. Unfortunately it seems Canada is not prepared to live up to its end of the bargain – with the Minister saying that even if China moves, Canada’s position is set in stone.

In addition to having this fossilized position – Canada’s minister also seems a bit confused in his messaging, saying that all major emitters have to be on board in order to, “prevent the global warming hitting or exceeding two per cent.”

Two per cent? Two degrees? Facts don’t seem to matter when your mandate is to protect polluters and not people.

Perhaps the Minister has confused two degrees with two percent because one of this government’s top lines to avoid action is to say they are only responsible for two per cent of global emissions. Important to note is that Canada is in the top ten global emitters no matter how you cut it, per capita, absolute and historically.

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For media inquires:

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