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Government 'Muzzles' Scientists - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
MARGARET MUNRO
Canwest News Service
Friday, February 01, 2008
CREDIT: RAY SMITH, TIMES COLONIST FILE
University of Victoria climatologist Andrew Weaver says the government is "manufacturing the message of science."
Environment Canada has "muzzled" its scientists around the country, ordering them to refer all media queries to Ottawa where communications officers will help them respond with "approved lines."
The new policy, which went into force in recent weeks and sent a chill through the department research divisions, is designed to control the department's media message and ensure there are no surprises for Environment Minister John Baird and senior management when they open the newspaper or turn on the television, according to documents obtained by Canwest News Service.
"Just as we have 'one department, one website' we should have 'one department, one voice,' " says a PowerPoint presentation from Environment Canada's executive management committee that has been sent to department staff.
Environment Canada scientists, many of them world leaders in their fields, have long been encouraged to discuss their work on everything from migratory birds to melting Arctic ice with the media and public. Several of them were co-authors of the United Nations report on climate change that won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
"It's insulting," says one senior staff member, who asked not to be named. She says researchers can no longer even discuss or confirm science facts without approval from the highest level.
Until now, Environment Canada has been one of most open and accessible departments in the federal government, which the executive committee says is a problem that needs to be remedied.
It says all media queries must now be routed through Ottawa, where "media relations will work with individual staff to decide how to best handle the call; this could include: Asking the program expert to respond with approved lines; having media relations respond; referring the call to the minister's office; referring the call to another department," the presentation says.
Gregory Jack, acting director of Environment Canada's ministerial and executive services, says scientists and "subject matter experts" will still be made available to speak to the media "on complex and technical issues." He would not explain how "approved lines" are being written and who is approving them.
Jack said the policy is meant to bring Environment Canada in line with other federal departments, but he insists "there is no change in the access in terms of scientists being able to talk."
The reality, insiders say, is the policy is blocking communication and infuriating scientists. Researchers have been told to refer all media queries to Ottawa. The media office then asks reporters to submit their questions in writing. Sources say researchers are then asked to respond in writing to the media office, which then sends the answers to senior management for approval. If a researcher is eventually cleared to do an interview, he or she is instructed to stick to the "approved lines."
University of Victoria climatologist Andrew Weaver works closely with several Environment Canada scientists. He says the policy points to the Conservative government's fixation with micro-management and accused the government of "manufacturing the message of science."
"They've been muzzled," says Weaver of the federal expert scientists who once spoke freely about their fields of work, be it atmospheric winds affecting airliners or disease outbreaks at bird colonies.
The one area exempted from having to go through head office is the weather service, "due to volume and technical nature of inquiries," the Power-Point presentation says.
Under the new policy, Environment Canada employees "shall not," the presentation says, "speculate about events, incidents, issues or future policy decisions." Whether this prohibition covers speculation about the impacts of phenomena such as climate change, which is reshaping Canadian and global ecosystems, is not clear.
This Will Follow Them Home – Report from Sierra Youth Coalition members at the UN Climate Change Convention. - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
In December of 2007, seven Sierra Youth Coalition members changed the course of history. We were part of the groundbreaking Canadian Youth Delegation to the United Nations Climate Convention in Bali, Indonesia. The Canadian youth presence was a visible voice of reason, ensuring that Canadians knew what their government was doing in Bali and that our government negotiators heard the concerns of young Canadians. We followed the talks closely and kept our finger on the meaninfgul policy decisions. We met with the Canadian negotiators as well as leaders from many countries. We presented a petition of what is now over 105,000 Canadians asking for Canada to take on a constructive role in Bali. We blew the story on the Minister of Environment's failure to present the government's climate change plan. We staged dynamic and creative actions that summed up in one image more than could be said in hours of rhetoric. We were leaders in coordinating the international youth movement to fight climate change. We provided a window to the world, and especially to Canada, by sharing our honest and informed perspective through over seventy media interviews and features, blogging articles, online video posts, and viral messaging – reaching an audience of millions.
Unfortunately, we witnessed a dismal performance by our government at these talks. This will follow them home. Thankfully not all of us have to go to an international negotiation to be effective (and we shouldn't). The real action happens inside Canada – we need to let our government know we will not compromise on our future. Let's be smart and knowledgeable and strong and they will have no choice but to move forward. The times are changing.
But what actually happened in Bali? Well, world leaders met to discuss the future of negotiations that govern the international effort to slow down climate change. Progress was slow and halting, mostly due to the uncooperative stances of a few countries (Canada being one of them). Thankfully, final decisions don't have to be made until 2009, when we need to nail down the details of the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol. Yes, we could have done more in Bali, but considering what was at stake and the reluctance of countries like ours to accept the inevitable switch to a decarbonised world, the fact that the talks didn't fall apart is a cause for celebration. We have to keep the momentum up.
What we need is an international consensus to eliminate fossil fuels in our lifetime. Scientists (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to be specific) are calling for "world leaders and their policymakers to take all necessary steps to cause average global greenhouse gas emissions to peak by 2015 and then to decline quickly afterwards". And if we don't, we've heard the story: severe food shortages causing large scale human starvation, displaced communities and mass species extinction of plants and animals. Even the most ambitious targets talked included in these negotiations only ensure a 50% chance of preventing dangerous climate change. Who in the world is willing to take that risk? We're certainly not. As young people we must be adamant that runaway climate change will not be part of our future. And given that over half the world's population is under 30, in just a few years we'll be a majority. Yep, the times are definitely changing.
Adam McIsaac attended the Bali talks along with other SYC leaders Liz McDowell, Joanna Dafoe, Josh Darrach, Rosa Kouri, PJ Partington, and Lise Richard.
See their videos and blogs from Bali and visit the Canadian Youth Delegation site for additional Canadian Youth Delegate information. For more information on the Sierra Youth Coalition please visit here
A Canadian youth perspective at the United Nations Climate Change Conference - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
Canada slammed for its climate policies; lack of leadership
It is not often that one has the opportunity to participate in a process that directly impacts over 180 nations around the world. However, while the majority of students were focusing on their exams in December one student and 7 recent graduates of the University of Guelph participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
As part of the Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD) we travelled half-way around the world to Bali to join over 200 global youth in advocating for the political leadership necessary to achieve international consensus on the most pressing issue of our generation – climate change.
The 32 person CYD included representatives from every Canadian province and one territory and the team was composed of students, trained journalists, young professionals, climate activists and policy experts.
The youth message to the United Nations was that we needed a ‘Bali Breakthrough’, an international agreement whereby countries would acknowledge the threat posed by climate change, use science to inform their mitigation policies and emission reduction targets, and ultimately take action to prevent our generation from inheriting the worst of those environmental changes predicted for the future.
In Bali, our delegation experienced a deep sense of disappointment about the Canadian government’s performance on the international stage. Canada’s reputation on the climate change issue is being seriously eroded. Our Minister’s actions in Bali were confusing at best, embarrassing at worst. Canada’s policies were slammed by other nation’s delegates, leading UN scientists, and environmental groups alike.
Canada’s Poor Performance
John Baird, Canada’s Minister of the Environment turned in a dismal performance in Bali. Here is a recap of Minister Baird’s and Canada’s official activities in Bali.
1. On the Minister’s first night in Bali he crashed a party.
During an event hosted by non-governmental organizations Minister Baird arrived and promptly engaged in a shouting match with a delegate representing the David Suzuki Foundation. The crux of Minister Baird’s argument? That Canadian environmentalists were to blame for government inaction on climate change (strange, I thought he was the Minister responsible for that portfolio?). His favourite debate technique? Getting within 6 inches of your face, yelling, and tapping you repeatedly on the shoulder. The term ‘bulldog’ is a complete understatement when describing this Minister’s style.
2. The Minister failed to explain Canada’s official climate change policy.
At a conference side event advertised for several months as a presentation by Canada’s Minister of the Environment of the government’s “Turning the Corner” climate change plan, Minister Baird arrived in flip-flops, shook hands with some Petro Canada folks at the back of the room, and then quickly left. The Minister’s absence left the UN audience shocked, a room of over 100 youth, media, and international delegates questioned why the Canadian government had refused to present its (widely criticized) plan as advertised. The Minister’s aides were overheard berating the conference staff for an apparently inadequate sound system. A sound system that did not, however, stop 3 invited Canadian industry representatives from giving presentations on carbon capture and storage, biofuels, and clean electricity generation technologies in the Minister’s absence.
3. The Minister refused to accept a petition from Canadians asking for action on climate change.
Tired of seeing our country lambasted by others for its inaction and attempts to block progressive elements of the negotiations in Bali the CYD, in collaboration with other organizations, distributed a petition which was signed by over 65,000 Canadians in 48 hrs. We attempted to deliver it, but after repeated attempts to contact the Minister he refused to meet with us (our delegation did however meet with the UK Environment Minister, the Ontario Environment Minister, the Alberta Environment Minister, the Indonesian Environment Minister, etc...) Minister Baird’s aide had this response to our petition: “65,000? That’s a big membership...” (dripping with sarcasm). Over 110,000 have now signed [you can too! ].
4. Canada’s climate change policies were widely criticized by the international community.
In Bali, the UN’s chief climate diplomat, Yvo De Boer, portrayed Canada as a climate change hypocrite, our government demanding emission cuts by Third World countries while at the same time saying that we weren’t going to meet our own targets and commitments. Rajendra Pachauri, the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the leading scientific body on climate change research had this to say about Stephen Harper’s administration, “This particular government has been a government of sceptics...they do not want to do anything on climate change”.
Even the Chinese (who, in Bali, gave an indication of their willingness to set emission targets) slammed our government by saying that Canada and Japan were emerging as the most uncooperative nations at the climate talks, particularly for trying to stop references to binding targets for industrialized nations. The German delegation called Canada’s position “unconstructive” and a Bangladesh delegate called Canada’s position “immoral”.
Adding insult to injury, Canada tied with the United States for the most ‘Fossil of the Day’ Awards during the conference. These mock ‘awards’ are presented daily by international youth on behalf of the NGO group Climate Action Network to those countries who are acting the most to block the progress of climate change negotiations.
But the piece de resistance came on the last day of the conference when the USA and Canada made a last ditch effort to slow action on climate change by blocking any reference in the text of the final agreement to the science behind the targets needed to mitigate dangerous climate change. The US and Canadian positions were ultimately reversed by an overwhelming show of solidarity by the vast majority of the nations of the world. Being dragged kicking and screaming, Canada was forced to accept the ‘Bali Roadmap’ to future climate change actions.
At a time when most Canadians list climate change as their number one concern (even more than health care) the Canadian government’s inaction on the subject is disturbing. Change may be in the air however, while Minister Baird didn’t meet with us in Bali, Stephane Dion took us out for drinks and told us to expect an election over this issue shortly. Al Gore told us in Bali that even in the United States people are waking up to the climate crisis, all the more reason to hope that new years resolutions for a greener planet in 2008 will come true.
Adam MacIsaac was a member of the Canadian Youth Delegation to the Bali United Nations Climate Change Conference (www.cydbali.org) and is managing a youth climate change publication at Peace Child International. For more information about the Bali meeting visit www.unfccc.int.
Privilege is something that cannot be taken but only given - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
As someone who was born in one of the most developed countries of the world (Canada) and one of the most beautiful provinces in that country (Prince Edward Island), I am starting to understand the responsibilities that go along with such a privilege.
A few years ago I had an opportunity to live for a short time in the rural community of Los Cacaos, Dominican Republic. My experience working with farmers and community members at “Los Espranza” (which is Spanish for hope), a Fair Trade coffee collective, provided me many educational experiences that really changed the way I viewed myself in the world. While the differences in history and culture are profound, there were many other similarities between the rural community of St. Peter’s Bay where I grew up, and Los Cacaos. As island communities, there is in each case a strong awareness of the relationship between the ecology of the place and the survival of its inhabitants.
For the past few months I have been managing an United Nations Development Programme youth climate change publication in England, United Kingdom and today I am writing this in reflection on my experience in Bali, Indonesia, where I attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the Canadian Youth Delegation. These experiences have once again prompted me to think about the responsibility that comes with privilege.
This fall, Hurricane Noel devastated the community of Los Cacaos as it passed through the Dominican Republic leaving in its exit 637 homes totally damaged and 436 homes damaged. With the majority of inhabitants of the community relying on coffee production there was 90% of coffee farms destroyed, 100% of the community water and electrical system destroyed. The main roads were 95% destroyed, 90% of secondary roads destroyed with 100% of bridges being destroyed. With all of the destruction that Los Cacaos has seen there has been 100% absence of government assistance.
In contrast, in Prince Edward Island, Hurricane Juan is not too far from our memory.
The privilege of living in a developed country is very noticeable when, as in the case of Hurricane Juan, we can reconstruct and recover in almost the same amount of time as it takes for the weather pattern to pass through. This would not be imaginable in less developed countries where damage such as that caused by Hurricane Noel in Los Cacaos takes decades to correct - for rebuilding and reconstruction to achieve even the modest standards of living which was present prior to the hurricane.
It is imperative that the Canadian government take leadership on addressing this global concern on climate change, while our government’s actions so far through out the Conference of Parties 13 has been far from impressive. Being born in the province where our country was formed I have always felt proud of my country but without true leadership on this issue at this point of time we are putting to risk the future generations of the world.
International Youth Implore World Leaders: "PLEASE" - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
We Call on the Conscience of World Leaders to Act to Protect the Youth and Children of the World
Friday, 14th 2007, Bali, Indonesia – As the negotiations reach their final day, international youth are gravely concerned for their future. Strong, urgent action must be taken by delegates. Inaction will have irreversible consequences. With the security of the world's future generations hanging in the balance, Youth delegates implore world leaders to move beyond the last-gasp delaying tactics of the United States, Canada, and Japan.
"It is humiliating to have to implore our leaders to take action and protect our futures. We have no options left but this one humble plea. Please. Please act." Kelley Greenman, 20, US youth delegate.
Over the past two weeks, youth from around the world have gathered to express their optimism about the process, highlight the potential for all nations to build upon global momentum, and forge a true Bali Breakthrough.
"Already, we are seeing the devastating impacts of climate change – and they are only going to get worse unless something is done immediately," said US youth delegate Matt Maiorana, 19. "The precautionary principle has been completely ignored. Negotiators are acting as though this is a political question, when it is instead a moral imperative. What are they doing to protect my future?"
"The negotiators don't seem to realize the consequences of the decisions they are making, they talk only about themselves and don't listen to others. It seems so selfish" said Indonesian delegate, Choiriatun Nur Annisa, 20, "These are human lives we are talking about, not numbers on a piece of paper. Please. Please, do everything you can. The world and our future depends on what we do now,"
Youth are calling for the recommendations made by the Nobel Prize winning IPCC to be adopted. To protect the next generation, developed countries need to reduce their emissions by at least 25 40% by 2020. As youth are the most impacted, the world must build an adaptation fund that is just and able to protect those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. To unleash the potential of youth in developing nations, technology transfer must become a priority to ensure the decarbonization of all countries.
As youth, we simply ask please.
As countries argue, time runs out. If the wrong decisions are made, there wont be time to undo them. Please protect our future.
Baird stands up UN audience - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
Tuesday December 11, 2007
Nusa Dua Indonesia
A UN audience was left in a lurch during a Tuesday evening event hosted by the Canadian government at the ongoing UN climate talks in Bali, Indonesia.
Youth joined a large audience anxiously expecting to hear the Minister of the Environment address Canada’s climate change policy. Instead Canadian industry representatives showcased new ‘clean’ technologies.
The audience was informed during the event that the Minister would not be speaking about his highly touted ‘Turning the Corner’ plan. “The side event was publicized as being a presentation of their policies, but nobody talked about this at all. Not the Minister or a representative,” said Genevieve Gilbert, 22 from Ottawa.
The presenters were forced to field questions and attempted to explain the Ministers’ absence. One presenter later expressed that he “felt hung out to dry.”
According to Adrianna Hoogenboom, 23 from Ottawa, “Baird arrived in flip flops, surveyed the room quickly and left after his handlers berated the conference staff for the quality of the sound system.”
According to Katrina Genuis, age 18 from Edmonton, “I came to engage with my government and they did not have the courage to present their plan and justify it, I found it disrespectful to the UN audience as well as to the presenters.’
Sentiments following the meeting echoed frustration and comments overheard included, “I am not even Canadian and I find this embarrassing.”
Although the overall message of the Canadian government has been disappointing youth will take this as an opportunity to hold their government accountable. “Youth will be stepping up our actions during these last three days of the conference. Canadians have a right to know about their government’s dismal performance in Bali,” summarized Rosa Kouri, 24 from Saskatoon.
International Youth Offer Climate Change Solutions and Demand Action - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
NUSA DUA- International youth called for swift and immediate action from their governments today in the latest UN climate change talks in Bali, Indonesia to help secure a world that they already see as changing for the worse
"Young people are more than passive victims of climate change. They are here to remind the international community that they have the responsibility to act. Climate change is already having a large effect on children, and children know it," says Balthazar Tribunalo, coordinator with Plan International, a global child-rights organization.
Four youth spoke at a press conference today and highlighted the ways in which climate change is affecting their local communities. They identified what domestic and international measures should be taken to help combat climate change.
"I have experienced sudden and extreme changes in the river in my community," says Hazel Candelario, 15, from the Philippines. "There are less fish being caught and less harvests. My mother has difficulty paying my tuition fees. I think the Adaptation Fund should be including the education sector to improve education."
Candelario is joined by Thomas Bielby, 16, from England, Hanna Sundwall, 16, from Sweden, and Eni Andri Yani, 17, from Indonesia, who all won national competitions to join the Bali discussions.
They are sponsored by a new research program called Children in a Changing Climate. The Bali conference is the first stage in a build up to the 2009 Copenhagen talks, where organizers hope to host a youth presence of 360 children in a 'Children's Climate Adaptation Summit.'
While in Bali the youth have been participating by asking questions, challenging ministers, participating in side events, and setting up a framework to ensure their voices are heard.
Bielby, who spoke about the floods in England this past year, would like to see children and youth become much more involved in the UN process. He suggests that each party should have their own youth delegation and consult with this small group to formulate policy positions.
"After all, it's the youth having to inherit these decisions. This way at least everything is working alongside," he says.
Although there are people who are receptive to a youth message, says Candelario, there are others who are not. When she approached the Chinese booth to talk about Chinese youth involvement on environmental issues, the attendants were very unhelpful, she says.
"One thing we've found is that the delegates struggle on how to pitch their message to children," says Tom Mitchell, research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, one of the organizations that sponsored the youth.
But the difficulty that children and youth encounter is not only from outside forces, but from within their own ranks, says Mitchell.
"A lot of work is still yet to be done," he says. In his work with the role of children in adapting to climate change he has found that 'youth' involvement is typically from the 18 to 25 year range, when they have already had some professional conditioning.
He suggests getting children as young as nine involved in these discussions.
His research has indicated that young people have a greater ability than most adults to perceive high-risk and low-probability disasters, and they are able to communicate these risks to those people around them.
"I think we see youth engaged in the process as vital," he says. "This year there has been a great coalescing of voices, and this collective voice is important, but, we are concerned that there aren't enough younger voices involved."
Environmental Activists Create Aerial Artwork - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
Hundreds of environmental activists gather to form the shape of a globe in Kuta beach, Bali island December 9, 2007. Rich and poor differed on Sunday over how to open up trade in green goods, with Brazil fearing a major U.S.-EU proposal raised on the fringes of climate talks in Bali was a protectionist ruse.
Check Out The Fossil Of The Day Awards!!!!! - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
What is the Fossil-of-the-day about?
During United Nations climate change negotiations (www.unfccc.int), members of the worldwide environmental network, the Climate Action Network, vote for the country judged to have made the worst input to the negotiations. Usually, three Fossil-of-the-day awards are presented each conference day, sometimes only two or one - depending on the number of countries with outstanding efforts to block progress at the negotiations in the last days.
The awarded prizes range from little cactus plants at CoP-8 (8th Conference of the Parties) in New Delhi, 2002, to briquettes of German premium quality coal at SB-12, June 2000, in Bonn. In Lyon, in September 2000, France, the daily award ceremony was staged with the assistance of the popular Lyon-based puppeteers, Guignol. The puppet show summarized and parodied the negotiations. At Cop6 in Den Haag, November 2000, sandbags were stacked beneath the national flags of each country. Besides the regular fossil-of-the-day prizes for countries, special awards are presented to individuals and institutions.
By summing up the daily awards, the overall winner of each negotiation session is determined. At CoP-8 in New Dehli, the USA came out on top after nine award ceremonies. They overtook Saudi Arabia during the last two days and fought off last minute efforts by the Saudis to regain the crown. In Den Haag, 2000, Canada got the most fossil-of-the-day awards for its ashaming interventions.
The Fossil-of-the-day awards were first presented at Cop-5, 1999, in Bonn, initiated by the German NGO Forum. Since then, the Fossil-of-the-day ceremony has become an respected and recognized event in the negotiations triggering substantial media coverage. Each negotiation day at 6pm, the "Fossil-of-the-day" ceremony is being held in the conference centre, organised by a local CAN member group.
Fossil Of The Day Awards COP 13 Day 2 - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
Rosa Kouri, CYD, announces the final winner of the three way tie for third place, Canada, during the Fossil of the Day awards at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Activists warn Japan and Canada blocking UN climate talks - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
NUSA DUA, Indonesia (AFP) — Key industrial nations Japan and Canada appear to be moving away from binding emissions targets for rich nations in early talks at key a climate change conference, environmental groups warned Wednesday.
Nearly 190 countries have gathered at the UN meeting in Indonesia's Bali, which aims to see them agree to negotiate a new regime to combat climate change when the current phase of the Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.
"There is a little concern about the positioning of Japan and Canada. Their proposals are really not building on the strengths of the Kyoto Protocol," said Angela Ledford Anderson, of the US-based National Environment Trust.
She said Japan had revived the idea of a system whereby a country pledges to reduce emissions, and the international community reviews their progress, rather than committing to mandatory targets.
"Most disturbing is that they think that will get the United States more engaged. Under this president, that would be correct, but ... this president will not be the one negotiating the final agreement," she told AFP.
The United States -- currently the only industrialised nation not to have ratified the Kyoto Protocol -- has so far rejected mandatory emissions cuts, advocating voluntary targets instead.
Anderson said Canada had also caused concern during the opening salvos of the conference, which ends December 14, by indicating that if emissions pledges were to be made, all nations should sign up to them.
Green groups stress that as the industrialised world was historically responsible for climate change, they should shoulder the majority of the burden.
Stephan Singer, head of the climate unit with environmental group WWF, said they were also "very concerned" about Japan's initial statements.
He said it was unclear if Tokyo was still intending to stick to a pledge made in Vienna in August, where Kyoto Protocol parties agreed to recognise the need for industrialised countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent to 40 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels.
"We want this to be part of the formal negotiations" when environment ministers arrive later in the conference, he said.
Both Japan and Canada were given "Fossil of the Day" awards on Tuesday, gongs given out by youth delegates from the Climate Action Network to highlight countries that have blocked progress at the talks.
"Emissions reduction targets are the heart of the Kyoto Protocol. Japan's proposal would kill it," the group said in a statement.
Join the Global Youth Climate Movement - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
On December 3, representatives from over 180 countries are meeting at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali to make critical decisions about our future. If we want to avoid dangerous climate change, they must start planning for a post-2012 climate agreement NOW.
Young people and all future generations will feel the biggest impacts of climate change. Even UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon acknowledged that we're the most important stakeholders on this issue. That's why it's crucial we exercise this power by telling our leaders what we'd like to see in Bali.
As they start negotiations, what would you like our leaders to keep in mind? Sign the message below or write your own. Become part of this global movement and stand in solidarity with youth in Bali, who will present your message to delegates at the UN conference. Help us make an impact!
Canadian Climate Change Petition - Posted By: Adam MacIsaac
A delegation of 30 Canadian youth are going to the next UN climate change conference in Bali from Dec 3rd - 14th. The following petition will accompany the youth delegation, so our Canadian government leaders know that CANADIAN YOUTH are concerned about the outcome of this conference.
We will inherit the decisions made at this conference.
Sign this petition.
Make sure your voice is heard.
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MARGARET MUNRO
In December of 2007, seven Sierra Youth Coalition members changed the course of history. We were part of the groundbreaking Canadian Youth Delegation to the United Nations Climate Convention in Bali, Indonesia. The Canadian youth presence was a visible voice of reason, ensuring that Canadians knew what their government was doing in Bali and that our government negotiators heard the concerns of young Canadians. We followed the talks closely and kept our finger on the meaninfgul policy decisions. We met with the Canadian negotiators as well as leaders from many countries. We presented a petition of what is now over 105,000 Canadians asking for Canada to take on a constructive role in Bali. We blew the story on the Minister of Environment's failure to present the government's climate change plan. We staged dynamic and creative actions that summed up in one image more than could be said in hours of rhetoric. We were leaders in coordinating the international youth movement to fight climate change. We provided a window to the world, and especially to Canada, by sharing our honest and informed perspective through over seventy media interviews and features, blogging articles, online video posts, and viral messaging – reaching an audience of millions. 
Hundreds of environmental activists gather to form the shape of a globe in Kuta beach, Bali island December 9, 2007. Rich and poor differed on Sunday over how to open up trade in green goods, with Brazil fearing a major U.S.-EU proposal raised on the fringes of climate talks in Bali was a protectionist ruse.
International youth meet with the COP 13 president Mr. Rachmat Witoelar. (©Robert vanWaarden, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Dec 6, 2007)
Balinese dancers prefrom during day 3 of the United Nations Climate Change Conference.(©Robert vanWaarden, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Dec 5, 2007)
The participants for the Third International Conference of Youth (COY3). Held two days before the United Nations Climate Change Conference, the conference brought youth from around the world together to discuss their position and the growing Youth Movement on climate change.(©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec 01 2007)
International youth advocate the need for hard caps on the emissions of industrial countries. United Nations Climate Change Conference, Dec 4, 2007. L-R Kartikeya Singh (SustainUs), Jeff Beyer, (CYD) Elisabeth Helseth (EU). (©Robert vanWaarden, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Dec 5, 2007)
The CYD meet with Delegates from the Canadian Delegation to discuss domestic policy and the governments position here in Bali. (©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec. 4 2007)
International Youth preform their 'It's Getting Hot in Here' dance during opening day at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia. (©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec 03 2007)
Aiden Abram (far left) of the Canadian Youth Delegation participates in the first Climate Action Network (CAN) press conference at the UNFCCC meeting in Bali, Indonesia. (©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec 03 2007)
Two international youth demonstrate outside the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. Youth were teaching swimming lessons to the delegates and questioning if it is a valid method of adaptation for climate change. (©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec. 4 2007)
The CYD gets pumped up for their meeting with the Canadian Delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. (©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec. 4 2007)
International youth demonstrate outside the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. (©Robert vanWaarden, Bali, Indonesia, Dec. 4 2007)
Rosa Kouri, CYD, announces the final winner of the three way tie for third place, Canada, during the Fossil of the Day awards at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
