Major Global Warming Report Prompts BC Response
(Victoria, BC; Feb 1, 2006) A diverse group of BC leaders is appealing to Premier Campbell for action on global warming on the occasion of the release of a major report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
A joint letter submitted today calls on the Premier to set province-wide mandatory greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets.
It is signed by a diverse group, including leaders from BC business, labour, First Nations, faith, and non-governmental organizations.
The IPCC 4th Assessment Report released tomorrow in Paris will confirm a stronger consensus that human activity is fundamentally altering the planet’s life support system.
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The letter, with organizational signatories, is below
For more information contact Matt Price, 250-361-1890
For local Victoria contact please contact Rev. Ken Gray, Anglican Church of the Advent, Colwood BC at rector@colwoodanglican.ca or 250 217 5867
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Hon. Gordon Campbell
Room 156, West Annex
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
February 1, 2007
Dear Premier Campbell:
With the release of the 4th Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change tomorrow, there can be no doubt that bold and immediate leadership is required of governments around the world to combat global warming.
Here in BC, our emissions are up 30% since 1990. The BC Progress Board reports that BC would rank 21st out of 28 jurisdictions in the OECD on per capita emissions. Already, the mountain pine beetle is threatening the future of dozens of forest dependent communities, and more extreme BC weather in both summer and winter is disrupting our economy and society.
Should current emissions trends continue, the impacts of global warming will only worsen. Major opportunities exist, however, in taking advantage of the new industrial revolution that must take place around the world in order to shift our economy.
We therefore call on you to help BC become a leader by legislating world leading province-wide targets for mandatory emissions reductions, and by consulting with First Nations and British Columbians on an innovative and equitable transition strategy to meet them.
Thank you for your attention on one of the most critical matters facing our province and our planet.
Yours sincerely,
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
Peter Robinson, CEO, Mountain Equipment Co-op
Mark Weintraub, Chair, Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region
Ellen Pekeles, VP Community Leadership, Vancity and Citizens Bank of Canada
Jim Sinclair, President, BC Federation of Labour
Charles Tsai, Executive Director, Global Youth Fund
Robert Mitchell, Executive Director, Sierra Legal Defence Fund
George Heyman, President, BC Gov’t and Service Employees’ Union
Carleen Pickard, BC/Yukon Organizer, Council of Canadians
The Rt. Rev. James A. J. Cowan, Bishop of British Columbia, Anglican
Robert Safrata, CEO, Novex Courier
Morag Carter, Director of Climate Change David Suzuki Foundation
Leonard Schein, President, Festival Cinemas Ltd.
Reverend Bruce Sanguin, Canadian Memorial United Church
Kathryn Molloy, Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada – BC Chapter
Guy Dauncey, President, BC Sustainable Energy Association
Evelyn Caufield, King of Life Lutheran Church
D. Simon Jackson, Founder, Spirit Bear Youth Coalition
Miss Rosemary-Claire Collard, Common Energy
Maggie Baynham, BC Sustainable Campuses Coordinator, Sierra Youth Coalition
Merran Smith, BC Program Director, ForestEthics
Casey Brennan, Energy and Mining Program Wildsight
Donald Gordon, Director Kitsilano-Point Grey Voters Taking Action on Climate Change
Susan Du Moulin, Staff Associate Minister of Pastoral Care, Canadian Memorial United Church
Rev. Ann Turner, St. Laurence Anglican Church EIleen Wooding, St. Catherine's Church Parish Council, North Vancouver
Rev. Barry K. Morris, Longhouse Council of Native Ministry Church and Faithful Public Witness Committee of Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery of the United Church of Canada
Ken Thomson, St Laurence Anglican Church
Megan Bailey, President, RMES Student Society, UBC
Andrea Reimer, Executive Director, Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Karen Campbell, Counsel and Policy Director Pembina Institute
Seth Klein, BC Director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Chloe O’Loughlin, Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Vicky Husband, MC, OBC
Deborah Connor, Executive Director, Georgia Strait Alliance
Kevin Millsip, Director, Check Your Head: The Youth Global Education Network
Nikki Skuce, Program Director, One Sky - The Canadian Institute for Sustainable Living
Harvey McKinnon, President, Harvey McKinnon Associates
Dag Livgard, Bumblz Media Inc.
Reverend Mark Lemon, St. Hilda’s by the Sea Anglican Church of Canada
David Moul, Environmental Steward, St. Hilda’s by the Sea Anglican Church
Rev. Bern Barrett, President, Multi-faith Action Society
Daniel Bouman, Executive Director, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association
Christina Atkinson, Staff Associate, United Church of Canada
Mrs. Margaret Cool, PWRDF Representative Holy Trinity Cathedral