Hundreds of Climate Change Rallies and Vigils Across Canada December 12
"Canadian citizens have planned and registered more climate action events per capita than any other country," said
Over three hundred events have been registered in cities and towns across
A Harris-Decima poll released just this week shows only 16% of Canadians think we're a respected leader on climate change, indicating a full 84% think this government is failing on the environment. Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations weather agency, recently reported that the year 2009 is likely to be the warmest on record going back to 1850, while noting that the Arctic sea ice's extent during the melt season ranked the third lowest, after the lowest and second-lowest records set in 2007 and 2008, respectively. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there will be 150 million 'climate refugees' by 2050 if global temperatures continue to rise unabated.
Young Canadians have taken critical leadership in organizing events, engaging civil society and demanding climate justice, "It is amazing to experience Canadian Youth stepping up to protect our future, filling the gap left by our leaders who are letting us down," said
Hundreds of thousands of people are attending rallies to send messages, post their photos and sign their names on message walls in support of a real deal. Thousands more are hosting candlelight vigils in every corner of the planet to stand in hope and solidarity with climate victims and those vulnerable to climate change.
This global mandate comes at the mid-point of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in
National Events:
Toronto: "Sign The Real Deal" Wall and Vigil
When:
Where: University of
Street,
Description: CAN is partnering with the
an indoor rally from
speakers, bands, face-painting, and live report backs from
representatives attending the
also have the opportunity to write a personal message stating what they
want the world's leaders to agree to in
8-foot-high 10-foot-long wall. Following the event, from
will march with candles to Queens Park, University and Wellesley Avenues,
At
The event is cosponsored by the
Contact:
climateactionnetwork.ca
Vancouver: "The World Wants a Real Deal"
When:
Where:
Description: Join people at the
for a full day of climate action including a panel discussion with Ashley
Webster,
people can write their personal messages saying what they want the
world's leaders to agree to in
speakers, theatre, a candle-light vigil, and more.
Contact:
climateactionnetwork.ca
Ottawa: Candlelight Vigil and Christmas Carol Singing
When:
Where: Meeting at the Human Rights Monument on the corner of Elgin and
Lisgar Streets,
Description:
on the corner of Elgin and Lisgar Streets,
The event is sponsored by the Polaris Institute and Oxfam
Contact: Sarah Saskia-Jane, Climate Action Network, 613 889 8161
Montreal: Let's save
When:
Where: Square Phillips, corner of Sainte-Catherine Street and Phillips
Place,
Description: Family activity where people are invited to make their wish
to Santa for the future of the planet and save
be a climate refugee.
Contact: Arthur Sandborn, 514-235-5955,
For more information on local Canadian events and
visit:
For further information: Michael Bernard, Communications Coordinator, Climate Action Network Canada, [email protected], (w) (613) 241-4413, (c) (613) 302-9933; Éveline Trudel-Fugère, Équiterre-Montréal, [email protected], (514) 605-2000; Hannah McKinnon, Climate Action Network Canada, [email protected], +45 2553 6081; Marie-Ève Roy, Équiterre, [email protected], +45 4163 3795
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