“There is a willful blindness on the part of our government that deliberately ignores the threat of climate change for all Canadians. Canada, of all industrialized nations, is at greatest risk of climate change’s catastrophic consequences for our melting Arctic regions, rising marine waters along our coasts, climate dependent resources like agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and winter sports, and our economic future.  Thank you for putting yourselves on the line to call for action of our government.”
—David Suzuki

Some of my fellow Canucks wanted to make sure their voices were heard on climate change. Like many people in Canada—and I’m sure in the US as well—there are many out there who are frustrated that climate change gets short shrift as an issue that needs to be addressed by government. As a case in point, many were disappointed with the fact that last week’s debate between President Obama and Governor Romney didn’t include a question about climate change, even though it’s one of the most pressing issues our planet is facing presently.

Taking a lesson from Mahatma Gandhi’s play book, some concerned Canadian citizens formed a  group and called themselves Hungry for Climate Justice. They held a peaceful fast and vigil on Parliament Hill—home of the Canadian government—for a total of twelve days, ending last week. Their goal was to demand that the Canadian government address the important issue of climate change and how it’s affecting our country.

Alluding to the increased numbers of droughts, floods, the spread of disease and extreme weather phenomena, they point out that some predictions are that the planet won’t be able to sustain more than one billion people by the end of the century if things don’t change.

From their website: “Canada’s role has been particularly damaging. We allow our emissions to grow and our government obstructs international negotiations. Canada signed the Kyoto Protocol and then declared that we have no intention of meeting our reduction commitments. With no real reduction programs in place, our emissions continue to grow. Countries that have not benefited from industrial development spurred by fossil fuels will experience the most devastating effects.”

Through a peaceful fast and vigil, Hungry for Climate Justice wanted to bring attention to the issue, hopefully inspiring both people and the decision makers in Parliament to effect some changes that can help. They advocate:

• eliminating one billion dollars in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, something which was promised in 2009 but has yet to occur. This problem occurs south of the border as well with big oil companies getting substantial subsidies and tax credits while renewable sources don’t receive the same degree of benefit. (Makes it hard to compete on an even playing field for those who are being told that the market forces will solve this problem for us.)
• putting a price on carbon. Obviously if industry has to account for its waste generated by the use of its products, people may think twice about using them. We don’t let companies dump tonnes of waste into our rivers and lakes, so why is it okay to dump tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?
• development of a plan for better conservation and development of renewable energy sources.