David Suzuki speaks in Montreal tonight as the UN climate change conference heats up

December 5, 2005 - MONTREAL – David Suzuki will join some of Quebec’s coolest musical acts on stage tonight for an evening of music and inspiration during the massive United Nations climate change conference in Montreal.

 

“We want to show the world that it's fun and hip to care about the world we live in,” said Dr. Suzuki, a renowned Canadian scientist and broadcaster. “At the same time, we’re trying to drive home a serious message – that we have to act on climate change by urging our political leaders to start showing leadership. It’s time to put the future of the planet on the political agenda.”

 

The high-energy event, titled “Too Hot to Handle,” will feature some of Quebec coolest acts, including Les Cowboys Fringants, Kid Koala, and The Stills, as well as celebrity MCs Mitsou Gelinas and Melissa Auf der Maur. Dr. Suzuki will deliver a half-hour speech about the urgent need to address climate change and why stronger targets to reduce greenhouse gas pollution are so important.

 

The show will also feature original video clips from other high-profile Canadians concerned about climate change, including astronaut Julie Payette and Inuit leader Sheila Watt-Cloutier.

 

The audience will be encouraged to get involved in a fun and creative way to urge Canada to start taking action on climate change. The Suzuki Foundation will set up a large photo booth at the event where concert goers can have their picture printed on postcards that will be collected and delivered to Canada’s new prime minister in January (to view the postcards on-line, visit http://challenge.davidsuzuki.org/cop/).

 

The United Nations climate change conference, which is being held in Montreal from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9, is the biggest climate change gathering the world has seen since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997. Almost 10,000 delegates from more than 189 countries are in attendance.

 

If we have the political courage to address the challenge of climate change, there will be a cleaner future just waiting for us,” said Dr. Suzuki. “It is my hope that Canada will lead the world in this endeavor.”

 

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More information:

Too Hot to Handle: Monday Dec. 5, doors open at 7:00 p.m.,show starts just

before 8:00 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m.

Salle Pierre-Mercure (au Centre Pierre-Peladeau), 300 boul. de Maisonneuve

Est., Montreal http://www.centrepierrepeladeau.com/

 

Tickets can be purchased at the Salle Pierre Mercure box office (tel. 514 987 6919), the Admission network (www.admission.com and by phone 514-790-1245 or 1-800-361-4595) or Greenland Productions (www.greenland.ca)

 

For media inquiries and accreditation, contact:

Sarah Marchildon

Communications specialist

David Suzuki Foundation

Montreal, cell: 604-727-8651

Email: smarchildon@davidsuzuki.org        

 

www.davidsuzuki.org/climate_change