Step Up, Canada! Campaign launches on Earth Day with Human Hashtags and Joint Statement to Federal Government

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Step Up, Canada! Campaign launches on Earth Day with Human Hashtags and Joint Statement to Federal Government

April 22, 2015

FRANCAIS - For information and interviews en francais please contact 416-731-6605 - ask for Rita Bijons

Representatives of more than 25 civil society groups and other organizations across the country, ClimateFast, People’s Climate Movement and Toronto350 will deliver a joint statement (attached) to the Government of Canada on Earth Day, sending a strong message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Canadians expect concrete climate action now.

WHAT/WHEN/WHERE:

DELIVERY OF JOINT STATEMENT - 10 AM - WEDNESDAY APRIL 22ND - 80 WELLINGTON

OTTAWA ACTION: The joint statement will be delivered to the Prime Minister’s office (80 Wellington Street, Ottawa) at 10am April 22nd, Earth Day. ClimateFast will leave Parliament Hill at 9:45 am with their giant banner: HUNGRY FOR CLIMATE LEADERSHIP and will have a presence at 80 Wellington Ave until 10:15 when they will deliver the joint statement to the PMO.

TORONTO ACTION: Wednesday April 22, 2015 - Earth Day - 12:30pm - Nathan Phillips Square - 100 Queen Street West

Leading up to this year’s international climate negotiations in Paris, the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21), Canadians are calling upon the Government of Canada to develop, without delay, a clear national action plan with targets to reduce carbon emissions, reflecting Canada’s fair share of global emissions, in line with stabilizing the rise in global average temperatures to below 2 degrees C. Unlike most developed countries, Canada did not submit emissions reduction targets to the UNFCCC’s March 31st deadline.

The joint statement, which will be delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office*, marks the launch of the Step Up, Canada! Campaign, which is mobilizing Canadians to demand that the government step up to its responsibilities in addressing climate change, in order to protect the planet for future generations. COP21 represents the last chance to form a global, legally binding climate agreement to keep global average temperature rise below 2 degrees C and secure a safer climate future. Such an agreement represents the only universal mechanism to ensure all UN countries are accountable for charting and holding to a path that avoids catastrophic climate change.

Members of ClimateFast are in their 4th annual fast for climate justice and climate leadership and are present on the Hill today in front of the steps, and in meetings with MPs and senators. ClimateFast asks MPs and senators to pledge their commitment to climate action.

WHO:
Emmay Mah (647.330.4734), spokesperson for the Step Up, Canada! campaign, will be available for media interviews and to answer questions about campaign launch and joint statement in Toronto.
Lyn Adamson (416.731.6605), spokesperson for ClimateFast, will be available for media interviews and to answer questions about the delivery of the joint statement in Ottawa.
MEDIA INQUIRIES FOR INTERVIEWS EN FRANCAIS:
Rita Bijons: (416-731-6605) - Rita will be present on Parliament Hill and for the delivery of the letter

ABOUT CLIMATEFAST
ClimateFast invites politicians to sign a three point pledge for climate action: to work to end fossil fuel subsidies, put a price on carbon, and develop a renewable energy plan for Canada. More than 125 MPs and 13 senators have signed this pledge since 2012. ClimateFasters will be on the Hill on Earth Week to meet with MPs and senators regarding climate action. ClimateFast participants work with others in an international network to fast for the climate on the 1st of each month. http://www.climatefast.ca

Participants in this year’s two day ClimateFast on Parliament Hill include: Lyn Adamson (Co-Chair of Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, Margaret Rao and Frances Deverell (CoChairs Canadian Unitarians for Social Justice) Rita Bijons of the International Fast for the Climate, Betty Muir, retired graphic designer, and Bangladeshi-Canadian Dewan Afzal. ClimateFast was founded with a 12 day fast in 2012.

International fasters include Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, Joanna Kerr, Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada, Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of KAIROS, and Yeb Sano, the Philippines negotiator who fasted during the devastating Typhoon Haiyan during the Warsaw climate talks in 2013. A 365 day rolling fast links climate talkis from Lima Peru in Dec 2014 to Paris in Dec 2015, building momentum for action around the world. fastfortheclimate.org

ABOUT PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MOVEMENT
The People’s Climate Movement (PCM) is a group of concerned citizens working together to demand urgent local and global climate action. We were originally brought together by a call from Avaaz.org to organize the People’s Climate March in Toronto. Our mission is to see Canada sign on to a robust, universal and legally-binding climate change agreement, which commits the world to achieving a less than 2-degree Celsius rise in average global temperature. We expect to see this commitment put into action through Canadian legislation, policy and programs.

ABOUT TORONTO350
Toronto350 is a local network affiliate of the international 350.org founded by Bill McKibben. We work to promote leadership in climate action. We are building a global, grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Toronto350 advocates for zero-carbon energy options and has called for a full stop to investment in fossil fuel reserves, infrastructure and extraction. We engage in creative direct action, educational events, online campaigns and direct contact with decision-makers. We support youth action, calling on campuses to mitigate their climate impact.

MEDIA CONTACT:
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rekha Sadasivan - PR Chair, Step Up, Canada! - 416.219.5560 - info@stepupcanada.ca

For more information contact:

Lyn Adamson
Co-Chair Board of Directors
Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
Phone: 416-603-7915
Cell: 416-731-6605

Emma Mah
spokesperson
Step Up Canada
647-330-4734

Rekha Sadasivan
PR Chair, Step Up, Canada!
416.219.5560
info@stepupcanada.ca

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