Elizabeth May Press Conference: Abandoning Kyoto (Q & A)

The Green Party of Canada is appalled by the Harper government's decision to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. "It is extremely shocking that Canada has chosen to withdraw just days after the conclusion of the Durban negotiations," said Green Leader Elizabeth May, who was in Durban for COP17. "It is simply outrageous disinformation that there is a $14 billion cost to staying in Kyoto. Staying in the Kyoto Protocol will not cost us a cent. What will cost billions is if we do nothing to address climate change."

"Canada should be continuing in Kyoto and negotiating the targets that would be palatable for this government. By withdrawing, we become a pariah on the world stage," said May.

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, in its report "Paying the Price: The Economic Impacts of Climate Change for Canada", estimates that the cost of Canada's failure to act on climate change will range from $5 billion per year by 2020 to as high as $91 billion per year by 2050. Impacts on forests and coastal areas will be particularly felt in terms of hits to the Canadian economy. An increase in flooding, wildfires, heat waves, and poor air quality has already resulted in increased death and destruction of property. Canada's insurance sector is seeing costs from storms and wildfire escalating rapidly.

"Refusing to be a part of the global effort to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate will put Canada behind economically as other countries make investments in efficiencies and renewable energy. Canada has an opportunity to capitalize on a green economy and instead we are clinging to fossil fuels," said May. "Withdrawing from Kyoto is an appalling decision. It will only hurt us—economically and environmentally."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Elizabeth May
• Green Party
• Green Party Of Canada
• Politics
• Press Conference
• Kyoto Protocol
• Kyoto Accord
• Climate Change
• Environment
• COP17
• Environmentalism
• COP 17
• Global Warming
• Energy

[ETericET]

This was very impressive. From today on I will take Elizabeth May far more more seriously. She is very well infomed and presents it well.

[deprogramr]

Elizabeth May should clearly be our prime minister. It is abhorrent that she was not included in the 2011 election debate.

[justanoldman1]

I find May unworthy to be a Canadian, she belongs in Cuba.

[justanoldman1]

@dantonsmaxim What a stupid question, you must be a green nutbar.

[dantonsmaxim]

What is more important to you, your future, the future of your children and grandchildren, or the Conservative MP you voted for.

[TheAmarZaidi]

Guys, we need this to go viral, right now. Send it to everybody. And I mean EVERYBODY.

[ETericET]

@desideratagrace google You Tube Downloader.

[SmileyGarrish]

Why not work to repeal and overturn Eradication of Hemp non sense at the United Nations. Widespread agricultural renewal and increased planting of hemp worldwide has so many benefits it boggles the mind - it provides hope, protein, quality edible oils, fuels, fibres, soil improvements and on and on and on -when do we stop Eradicating Hemp (ridiculous) and start promoting growth of fuels and foods with government permission. Just get out of the way. legalize it in every way and watch the economy.