At Copenhagen, Canada takes “Colossal Fossil” distinction for third year in row

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      Canada has scored a hat trick, taking home the “Fossil of the Year” award for the third time in a row.

      The recognition was bestowed on our carbon-loving country on Friday (December 18) at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Canada beat out a number of worthy competitors, including the United States, China, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

      Also known as the Colossal Fossil”, the recognition aims to shame the country that has done the most to hinder progress on combating climate change. It is judged by the Climate Action Network, a loose consortium of some 500 NGOs from around the world.

      In Copenhagen, Ben Wikler of Avaaz.org, an international activist group, presented the award with these remarks:

      Fossil of the Year goes to CANADA, for bringing a totally unacceptable position into Copenhagen and refusing to strengthen it one bit. Canada’s 2020 target is among the worst in the industrialized world, and leaked cabinet documents revealed that the governments is contemplating a cap-and-trade plan so weak that it would put even that target out of reach.

      Canada has made zero progress here on financing, offering nothing for the short term or the long term beyond vague platitudes. And in last night’s high-level segment, Canada’s environment minister gave a speech so lame that it didn’t include a single target, number or reference to the science.

      Canada’s performance here in Copenhagen builds on two years of delay, obstruction and total inaction. This government thinks there’s a choice between environment and economy, and for them, tar sands beats climate every time. Canada’s emissions are headed nowhere but up. For all this and more, we name Canada the Colossal Fossil.

      Over the course of the eleven day summit (December 7-18), Canada has routinely been targeted for its obstructionist role in negotiations.

      Canada received several “Fossil of the Day” awards and was the target of a hoax by the Yes Men that received media attention around the world.


      You can follow Travis Lupick on Twitter at twitter.com/tlupick.

      Comments

      13 Comments

      Ryguy

      Dec 18, 2009 at 12:48pm

      Perhaps Canada is a fossil in this respect (by capita a very small fossil albeit) but is their reluctance to name of the biggest pollutors? China, United States, Europe, very soon India. Plenty of power in Canada is generated cleanly (hydro). Many large Canadian cities (especially the big three) have efficient public transportation networks unlike many of the urban sprawl areas to the south. We have a large amount of carbon sinks from the federal and provincial parks.

      George T. Baker

      Dec 18, 2009 at 4:02pm

      Yes! We're number one! Go Canada!
      Ugh!

      Argulion

      Dec 19, 2009 at 7:25am

      True representation. We are governed by political dinosaurs working for self extinction.

      Marcus

      Dec 19, 2009 at 7:48am

      The world is accustomed to Canada playing progressive Boy Scout. We would say the right words, sign agreements but accomplish little under the Liberals. The Conservatives are just up front about our inaction. Technologies exist to reduce our footprint but no incentives are provided to promote their use.

      As for Colossal Fossil the USA or China are the primary carbon producers. Activists are giving a pass to Obama and still treat China as a poor developing nation who happens to finance the debt of the USA. Canada is an easy whipping boy.

      VancouverDavid

      Dec 19, 2009 at 11:10am

      This is a huge honor! Being most obstructive of the climate change farce and its efforts to seriously damage the world's population places us on the right side of the issue.

      greggron

      Dec 19, 2009 at 1:57pm

      I just had to pop in here to see how you far left extremists, climate change cultists and other AGW zealots are dealing with your complete and utter stinging defeat in Copenhagen. Thank god the socialist plot has been defeated.

      Migzy

      Dec 20, 2009 at 5:45am

      Socialist plot? Please! Socialism pays for the subsidized food you eat, socialism pays for the roads you drive on, socialism paid for the railroad that started Canada, Socialism created the internet, Socialism pays for your fire/police/ambo/medical, need I go on? Anything financed by public aka government money is a socialist project, ie. it was created for society as a whole. There is nothing wrong with socialism. In fact if Canada was more socialist(ie. does not mean democracy goes anywhere) it would in fact be more wealthy, I've seen a number of recent reports saying its cheaper to actually care for the people who need mental help, etc than to leave them homeless on the streets who end up taking up valuable police, medical, and other public services. And often they can become more functional members of society in turn. Note - I am not advocating getting rid of democracy, not at all. I just think we should take care of everyone in our society to ensure that everyone has at least a decent way of life, not living from hour to hour wondering when or if you are going to have your next decent meal or shower. You can still feel free to earn your millions, although you might be missing a few more pennies, and really whats a few pennies to you when you are earning far more than you can realistically spend.

      Steve-er-ino

      Dec 20, 2009 at 10:04am

      Nobody really expected Harper and the Cons to understand climate change. Except for the right wing extremists that is. Ignorance breeds ignorance... I say that with no disrespect intended. Besides even if they [Cons] did "get it" they would still back big business and dirty Alberta oil. That's how you fuel the 'ol boys club. Harper came in with a big mouth and a small brain slamming the Liberals. Ya many politicians of our past (even some Liberal) have lined their pockets but they did it without destroying Canada. Way to go Harper and the Cons.