Save Hockey! (Credit: Epoch Times' Samira Bouaou)
The year 2009 marked an unparalleled opportunity to solve the problem of climate change, as world leaders gathered for the United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Canada is at a crossroads. Canadians from all walks of life are taking action on climate change in their everyday lives but the public can't do it alone. Our political leaders have the power to jumpstart big changes through law-making, carbon reduction targets, and investments in clean-energy projects.
That's why the David Suzuki Foundation launched a broad-based Countdown to Copenhagen campaign. It featured Olympic athletes and NHL hockey players, mayors, business leaders, faith leaders, health professionals, youth and others calling on our Prime Minister to make Canada a leader at the UN climate summit by playing a constructive role.
We worked with cities across the country to pass motions sending a message to the Prime Minister confirming the urgency for an international climate change agreement. Mayors are ready to work together with all levels of government to take responsible action and make Canada a climate action leader by investing in public transit and energy efficiency, and building healthy, prosperous communities.
We also engaged professional athletes like NHL hockey star Andrew Ference and members of Canada's Olympic team like Sara Renner, Olympic cross-country silver medalist, who believe the decision to act is clear. Many of these athletes are already seeing the impact of climate change on their beloved winter sports like skiing, pond hockey, and cross-country skiing. These leaders are encouraging other athletes to join the cause because they say they can't sit on the sidelines and let Canada's iconic winter sports disappear when solutions exist.
More than 250 leading businesses in Canada also publicly called for action at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen. These businesses joined the cause recognizing the huge potential for new jobs and investment that our country can seize by establishing a foothold in the emerging clean energy economy.
Canada's health professionals also called for action. We worked with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and medical students associations to rally other health associations across the country to sign a letter to the Prime Minister as acting on climate change will improve the health of Canadians and save on costs to our health care system.
Read the full list of individuals and organizations who sought a fair climate deal here.
More than 11,000 Canadians contacted the Prime Minister, asking him to get behind a fair, ambitious and binding agreement at the UN Climate Summit.
