What are my three key take-homes from Copenhagen?
1) Let's begin with the positive: this event has mobilized Canadians and world citizens around climate change like never before, and that mobilization will now ramp up to find the political pathways that work. Beware the politician that stands in the way of the green economy.
2) While we ended up with a vague statement rather than the needed binding commitments, at least the terms of the debate have now been clarified, which shows a certain seriousness of nations at the table. It will be hard for countries to walk away from this new understanding, since the stakes have now been accepted as incredibly high. Countries must return to the table to work through their differences as soon as possible. We have little time.
3) Canada is a mess. Our Prime Minister hasn't been paying attention and it showed. Our country's reputation lies in tatters. Canadians are embarrassed and many are mad as hell. There is something rotten in Ottawa and it is up to the citizens of Canada to fix it. Watch for action in 2010.
Matt Price
Program Manager
Environmental Defence
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