The Vancouver Declaration on clean growth and climate change was drafted by the provincial premiers and the prime minister 90 days after the Paris Summit. Canada committed to keep emissions from increasing global temperatures another 1.5 degrees celsius.
The Declaration should be the road map to that target, but is only a beginning step on the urgent journey toward climate justice.
The first commitment in the Declaration uses Stephen Harper’s ineffective target of “30 per cent reduction of GHG below 2005 levels by 2030.” Harper’s government stated it would “set a target we can achieve.” But truly we must “set a target we can survive.”
A bold plan is needed. We have a scientific, moral, and economic imperative to do so. Scientists and economists tell us, we must keep 85 per cent of all known fossil fuels in the ground. The technology and the money for transition are available, but as yet, not the will.
We need real engagement, led by the federal government. The time for dialogue is now. We need town hall meetings across the country over June and July, led by non-partisan government representatives, to provide opportunity for Canadians to share their views and develop community driven solutions.
Dona Grace-Campbell, Kaslo