September 21st: Global Climate Wake-Up Call

VICTORIA--Green Leader Elizabeth May will participate in the September 21st Global Climate Wake-up Call by attending a Victoria screening of The Age of Stupid, hosted by the BC Sustainable Energy Association.

Launched simultaneously in hundreds of cities worldwide, The Age of Stupid is a film designed to engage people in the issue of climate change. 

“Film is an incredibly potent medium for learning about the impacts of climate destabilization and The Age of Stupid really hammers home how quickly time is running out,” said May.  “It can’t be emphasized enough how critical the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December will be to finalize a binding international treaty to massively cut greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.  It will be absolutely shameful if the Canadian delegation stands in the way of this treaty.”

There are already hints that the Canadian government will not be onside with the hoped for language of the treaty.  Former Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, once named by Business Week magazine as one of the top 20 international leaders who are combating climate change, seemed to change his tune on climate just before being awarded the post of Ambassador to the US.  In a speech at the NDP convention, this Canadian leader, who was the first to endorse the Kyoto Protocol, referred to the international treaty as a “Trojan Horse” that threatened jobs in Canada, a familiar reprise of the Harper government position.  Doer was appointed Ambassador two weeks later.

“The new administration in Washington has expressed their willingness to take action on climate change but we wonder how much pressure has been put on our Ambassador Gary Doer to undo those first steps,” said May.  “It is essential that richer nations like Canada and the US be leaders in committing to greenhouse gas cuts, and that we help poorer nations like India to do their part.  Doing nothing is not an option.  Global days of action like September 21st show how strong the will of the citizenry is for action on climate change.”

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Victoria Screening of The Age of Stupid

When: September 21, 2009 6:30pm to 9:00pm (Doors at 6:30pm, Welcome and Introductions at 6:45pm, Film at 7pm)
Where: Cineplex Odeon Theatre, 780 Yates St, Victoria, BC

Contact:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
(o) 613-562-4916 x 239
(c) 613-240-8921
debra@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca