"In a recent article on CBC’s website, political commentator Scott Reid wrote that I don’t 'give a damn' about the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico.
"Reid, who was former prime minister Paul Martin’s communications director, is correct that I was 'fed up and had little time for Cancun, assuming the political will to respond to the pressing threat of climate change at this forum was all but nil.'
"But there’s nothing that concerns me more than the threat of climate change and the necessity of world leaders to deal with the crisis. I’ve just seen the futility of trying to get our current government to act in any meaningful way at the UN talks, and I agree with David Suzuki Foundation staff that our efforts are better placed elsewhere.
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"What can you do about a government that fails to live up to its international obligations and that cares more about protecting and subsidizing the wealthiest industry in history than about protecting its own citizens from the impacts of pollution and climate change?
"International negotiations are crucial, and through our alliance with organizations such as the Climate Action Network, we will continue to support efforts to get a fair, ambitious and binding international agreement on climate change. We hope that the current talks will at least form the basis for movement at next year’s negotiations in South Africa.
"In Canada, though, we can accomplish more by working with municipal and provincial governments, and with thousands of concerned citizens, than trying to get the federal government to act on global warming. ...
"Of course, that’s not enough to confront a global problem like climate change, but if leadership is lacking at the top, we must build from the ground up.
"I do give a damn about the UN climate talks. I only wish our government did."
Full article: UN climate talks: Who gives a damn?
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