UN Climate Summit: Youth Speak Out!
September 23 is the day of the UN Climate Summit in New York City. In Toronto, we bring you a panel of seven speakers on the Youth Emergency Platform for Climate Justice.
From ClimateStrike Canada – Emergency Platform for Climate Justice
We, as citizens, therefore call upon all political parties and politicians to create and commit to a science-based and human rights focused Emergency Plan for Climate Justice that limits global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
We would like to see the following demands included in their Emergency Plan for Climate Justice:
1. Bold Emissions Reductions Targets: Legislate greenhouse gas emission reductions of 65% by 2030, reaching net zero emissions by 2040.
2. Separation of Oil and State: Reject all new fossil fuel extraction or transportation projects, eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, and price pollution.
3. A Just Transition: Transition to renewable energy and sustainable transportation infrastructure while guaranteeing opportunity for fossil fuel workers in the new economy.
4. Environmental Rights: Enshrine in law, the fundamental right to a healthy environment. This would include, but is not limited to, the right to safe air, clean water, and healthy soil.
5. Indigenous Rights: Commit to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in full.
6. Conservation of Biodiversity: Maintain and protect old growth forests, restore cut blocks, reduce habitat fragmentation and strengthen the protection of at risk species.
7. Protection for Vulnerable Groups: Recognize Canada’s disproportionate role in the climate crisis and subsequent responsibility for the protection of the most vulnerable. Include the addition of climate displacement as a basis for refugee status. Provide climate aid to lower and middle-income countries, as well as Arctic Canada, which disproportionately experiences the impacts of the climate crisis.
You can register and donate $5 – $20 on-line or pay what you can (pwyc) at the door.
Co-sponsored by Greenpeace and Fridays for Future