Ottawa signs on to rival emissions pact

Mr Stephen Harper while using UN forum to save Kyoto protocol, announced
Canada’s decision to join Asia- Pacific partnership, which is considered anti Kyoto
by Environmentalists. Asia- Pacific Partnership was created by Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and the United States and now Canada will be the seventh member. This partnership categorically rejects any mandatory cuts in green house emission, contained in Kyoto which emphasizes 50% cut in green house gases.

Canada after joining Asia-Pacific at New- Delhi, wants to coax other members to join the partnership after Kyoto expires in 2012. Mr Harper has set a very long term target of 60% to 70% cut in emissions by 2050 and also emphasize a binding target on other six partnership members. United States has already rejected 50% cut as contained in Kyoto. It is pertinent to mention that without these major emitters involvement, no global protocol can be effective. Mr Harper also recommends 2006 as base line rather than Kyoto’s 1990 and defended his 2050 target which is several decades away by introducing some intermediate milestones.

While world leaders were beating around Bush, literally and metamorphically, a very young Canadian Catherine Ganther, only 18 years old stole the show. Speaking on behalf of environmental organizations, in a pointed and focused approach emphasized that there is only one road to safe climate and that leads to Bali in December and that conference must extend the Kyoto agreement.

Harper’s double cross game with Kyoto Protocol is not understood since Canada is spearheading the environment protection and must have definite targets for any meaningful roadmap to safe environment.

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