Activists occupy minister's office for climate justice

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This just in:

Media release

CANADIANS TAKE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
Occupy Canadian Environment Minister Jim Prentice's office

Go to the Blog: www.canadaclimatejustice.wordpress.com [3] for info and updates

Six people are currently occupying Canadian Environment Minister Jim Prentice's office to demand the Canadian Government push for climate justice at the up and coming climate treaty negotiations in Copenhagen, to be held this December. Five citizens hail from Prentice's riding. The sit in began at 10.00am, and is now in its' fourth hour.

The people occupying the office have refused to leave until the Minister agrees to push for a just, ambitious, and binding climate deal in Copenhagen that listens to the science, and is led by those who are most directly impacted by the climate crisis.

"While our government continues to delay action on climate change, millions of people will die or become displaced due to the climate crisis. Canada's obstructive approach to the international climate negotiations, and our refusal to recognize the scientific reality of global warming in our own climate policies, tells the world that the Canadian government doesn't care about the lives of those currently affected by the climate crisis," said David Wilson, one of the citizens occupying Prentice's office. Phone calls, letters, rallies... They haven't done enough to solve the greatest environmental problem facing our generation. We must put more pressure on the Government to act and push for a just, ambitious, and binding deal that reflects the science, and is led by those most directly impacted by the climate crisis."

Inaction on climate change is already displacing and killing millions the world over, and exacerbating existing problems like global poverty, hunger, disease and armed conflict over resources. The UN estimates there will be over 150 million climate refugees by 2050. In Canada, warmer temperatures have already ravaged BC's pine forests. Communities in the Canadian Arctic face the complete transformation of their landscape and way of life. Across the country, the increasing severity and frequency of climate caused events like droughts and flooding will impact our food production and livelihoods. Canada's children face a future where much of our living systems have collapsed, and they will be forced to shoulder a burden of immeasurable injustice.

"For this country with such a proud tradition of protecting the planet to become the global symbol of dirty fuels and unsustainable practices is heart breaking," asserted University of British Columbia Professor Patrick M. Condon. "At some point citizens have an obligation to say enough is enough. Change can happen, and it must. Apartheid was broken by just such a spirit. Segregation was broken by just such a spirit. We can do no less. With the climate crisis the stakes are even higher."

JOIN THE ACTIVISTS AND TAKE ACTION FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

Phone the office and demand that Prentice give into the protesters demands that Canada commit to a just, ambitious and binding climate treaty in Copenhagen that listens to science and is led by those most directly affected by the climate crisis: 403 216-7777 or email Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca [4]

Organize your own direct action at your local elected officials' office.
Go to the Blog: www.canadaclimatejustice.wordpress.com [3] or email canadaclimatejustice@gmail.com [5] for more information.

Write op eds and letters to the editor about the importance of taking direct action to make sure the Canadian Government solves climate change.

MEDIA COVERAGE SO FAR

Hell No, We Won't Go – Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/bureau-blog/hell-no-they-wont-go/ar... [6]

Environmentalists occupy minister's Calgary office - CHQR Newsroom
http://www.am770chqr.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1167982 [7]

PHOTOS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzafineday/sets/72157622737911039/ [8]

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