Business leaders call for climate change action(Canada)

[CHIMO]

Business leaders call for climate change action
Last Updated Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:04:01 EST
CBC News

The leaders of a group of major Canadian corporations have called for urgent action on climate change, a major reversal of the business community's position on the Kyoto protocol.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the heads of Alcan, Bombardier, Shell Canada, Falconbridge, Home Depot Canada and Desjardins Group, among others, said Canada needs a 50-year strategy to deal with the fallout from climate change.

The letter, obtained by the Canadian Press, calls for a plan that goes well beyond the 2008-2012 timetable laid out in the Kyoto protocol.

"As corporate leaders representing a broad cross-section of the Canadian economy, we believe that all governments, corporations, consumers and citizens have responsibilities under the Kyoto protocol," the letter says.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/11/17/kyotobiz-051117.html

Some more just got aboard the train.

[Lisa]

1. I wonder if Home Depot is hoping for more home retrofitting?

My local hardware place (not HD) has a very farsighted assistant manager, who took it upon himself to order a whole line of energy-efficient stuff (from weatherstripping and compact fluorescent bulbs to those new LED Christmas lights). He began promoting it 2 years ago, with flyers urging people to save energy and cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. BC Hydro pitched in ... and they got a lot of attention with their "trade in those old Christmas lights for a rebate!" campaign.

Were the other store-owners ever jealous! They hadn't realized how interested people would be, so they missed out on sales! I won't grudge Home Depot if it cashes in on all this, but it would be nice if Canadian Tire and some smaller stores also got a windfall.

And kudos to Robert Schad (Husky Plastics), who went out on a limb to promote Kyoto -- and was one of the few CEOs in the Canadian Manufacturers Association doing that, prior to our ratification.

[Barrett808]

2. Canadian firms call for action to stop global warming

The heads of Canada's largest companies called for action on climate change and energy Thursday in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNCCC) in Montreal later this month.

"Through our collective actions, Canadian business is demonstrating that it is possible to foster a reduction in greenhouse gases while maintaining competitive excellence, growth, and profitability," said Travis Engen, president and chief executive officer of aluminum giant Alcan, in an open letter to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on behalf of other executives.

The heads of energy firm Shell Canada, nickel behemoth Falconbridge, aircraft manufacturer Bombardier and others met October 7 to discuss how Canada might implement its Kyoto Protocol obligations and what position to take in future climate change negotiations.

The executives pressed Martin for a post Kyoto agreement to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond 2012 to 2050.

"All governments and citizens, corporations and consumers have a responsibility to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to minimize the global impacts of climate change," Engen said.

(more)

http://www.spacedaily.com/2005/051117185021.pug8797e.html

[hatrack]

3. Nice thought, guys, but a bit late to the dance, wouldn't you say?

Now that most of Arctic Canada is turning into a giant bog and glaciers in Greenland, Canada and the Himalayas retreating a mile or more per year, etc., etc., etc., now you want to "call for action"?

I mean, nice idea, tepid, muffled applause and all of that, but where the FUCK were you people in 1988 when the balloon went up?

Seriously, where were you when we still had a chance to do something about this?

[Canuckistanian]

4. Wow, that cuts the Conservatives off at the knees

Their big objection to Kyoto was the "massive cost to industry" and the "resulting increase in prices".

Glad to see there are some forward-thinking and reality-based executives.

And it's what the experts have been saying all along. This is an opportunity to re-think processes and possibly the birth of a whole NEW industry.

[Spazito]

5. Good!

Canadians are supportive of the Kyoto Accord, it makes good business sense, in more than one way, to get on the train, I do wish they would have done so earlier but better late than never.

[Megahurtz]

6. Go Canada!

:thumbsup: