Letter to Honerable Jim Prentice re: Cost of Climate Change
Dear Mr. Jim Prentice:
I can only assume that you have read the IPCC findings, the Stern Report, and most recently the TD climate leadership report in order to prepare yourself to lead Canada's Ministry of the Environment (summary available at www.td.com/economics October 29, 2009). Knowing the facts is essential to making responsible decisions for Canada's future and the future generations around the world who will directly experience the impacts of this governments choices. I strongly implore you, if you have not already informed yourselves, discover the science on these critical issues and learn how to convey the urgency of real action to your colleagues so you as an elected leader can help bring Canada into a constructive role dealing with this very important issue.
The scientific community is now saying that if we do not come to binding targets on CO2 in Copenhagen we will miss our rapidly narrowing window of opportunity to limit global temperature increases to 2*C. Canada needs to partner with our partners like the US and Britain to set real legislation that can make a difference. Individual action is needed, but all Canadians need your help to set the signals that allow us to do the right thing; that is your role as Minister of the Environment. I personally need you to do more than you are required to do by your party, and I understand that these decisions are complex and difficult, however this is where you excel. By now you have developed finely tuned skills in finding creative solutions to deal with challenging problems.
You now hold a vitally important leadership role, and in such Canadians demand that you think solemnly about the legacy being left to our children and those of the poorest nations least able to deal with climate chaos? Edmonton's climate is predicted to resemble that of Loydminister, and Calgary will be a city in the desert within the next decades. Global temperature events and weather patterns have already become more severe and unstable. And we are already seeing the devastating invasion of Mountain Pine Beetles and extreme weather across the country and particularly in the north. Such rapid changes have unacceptable costs, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Our children and grandchildren are being handed an unstable and insecure future as this government foolishly drags its feet. The science is clear, action is needed now. Government has the legislative power to create frameworks that corporations and institutions, families and communities need to make necessary business and lifestyle changes to prevent runaway climate change and help us all adapt to a more uncertain future.
Sincerely,
Michael Brown
I can only assume that you have read the IPCC findings, the Stern Report, and most recently the TD climate leadership report in order to prepare yourself to lead Canada's Ministry of the Environment (summary available at www.td.com/economics October 29, 2009). Knowing the facts is essential to making responsible decisions for Canada's future and the future generations around the world who will directly experience the impacts of this governments choices. I strongly implore you, if you have not already informed yourselves, discover the science on these critical issues and learn how to convey the urgency of real action to your colleagues so you as an elected leader can help bring Canada into a constructive role dealing with this very important issue.
The scientific community is now saying that if we do not come to binding targets on CO2 in Copenhagen we will miss our rapidly narrowing window of opportunity to limit global temperature increases to 2*C. Canada needs to partner with our partners like the US and Britain to set real legislation that can make a difference. Individual action is needed, but all Canadians need your help to set the signals that allow us to do the right thing; that is your role as Minister of the Environment. I personally need you to do more than you are required to do by your party, and I understand that these decisions are complex and difficult, however this is where you excel. By now you have developed finely tuned skills in finding creative solutions to deal with challenging problems.
You now hold a vitally important leadership role, and in such Canadians demand that you think solemnly about the legacy being left to our children and those of the poorest nations least able to deal with climate chaos? Edmonton's climate is predicted to resemble that of Loydminister, and Calgary will be a city in the desert within the next decades. Global temperature events and weather patterns have already become more severe and unstable. And we are already seeing the devastating invasion of Mountain Pine Beetles and extreme weather across the country and particularly in the north. Such rapid changes have unacceptable costs, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Our children and grandchildren are being handed an unstable and insecure future as this government foolishly drags its feet. The science is clear, action is needed now. Government has the legislative power to create frameworks that corporations and institutions, families and communities need to make necessary business and lifestyle changes to prevent runaway climate change and help us all adapt to a more uncertain future.
Sincerely,
Michael Brown
posted by Michael at 12:20 am
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