Nunavut signing on to Ottawa accord on climate change

Nunavut has became Canada’s first territory or province to sign on to the federal government’s climate change program.

The memorandum of understanding for cooperation on climate change is also the first agreement of its kind since Canada’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol last December. This international accord aims to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

David Anderson, the federal minister of the environment, was in Iqaluit last week to sign the pact with the Government of Nunavut. At the same time, Anderson announced more money for research and did some discreet politicking on behalf of the incumbent Liberal MP, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who accompanied Anderson.

The GN also released its own climate change strategy, which, among other things, is intended to raise public awareness about climate change and lead to more action on the issue.

“We see climate change every day,” said Ed Picco, Nunavut’s energy minister. “My friends, climate change is here.”

Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut’s minister for sustainable development, mentioned the many signs of climate change that Nunavummiut are witnessing, including lack of sea ice in Iqaluit at this time of the year.

The MOU with Nunavut is the first step toward realizing Canada’s plan for every territory and province in the country – including oil-rich Alberta – to sign a similar agreement.

Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Quebec are likely to be the next to sign on to the program, which would reduce Canada’s emissions below 1993 levels.

Anderson, who said even most Albertans support reducing greenhouse gas emissions, added that the oil and gas industries will have to take steps to cut back on emissions. As well, he wants to see a 25 per cent increase in vehicle fuel efficiency, a move that would also cut emissions.

Anderson said Canada is determined to implement its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, even if the United States, which is responsible for 25 per cent of the world’s emissions, doesn’t ratify it. Anderson said he believes the U.S. will eventually issue parallel legislation to curb its emissions.

In the MOU, signed by Akesuk, Picco and Anderson, Nunavut agrees to:

* Reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions through energy conservation, management and efficiency, and alternative or renewable energy development.
* Promote technologies that address climate change.
* Look at making these new efforts economically viable.
* Set up monitoring mechanisms for climate change.
* Increase public awareness.
* Increase knowledge of climate change.

Although Nunavut is the first to sign, the GN won’t immediately see any of the $2 billion Canada has earmarked for climate change in 2003 right away.

But Picco said the potential of wind and hydro-electric power sources in Nunavut is already under serious study.

In Iqaluit, Anderson also announced a $10-million, five-year extension of the Northern Environmental Research Initiatives

program, which supports research on the ecological health and sustainability of communities.

Recent projects involved research on the role that open water and polynas play in the survival of eiders in southeast Hudson Bay, and on the traditional ecological knowledge of elders in Pangnirtung.

While in Iqaluit, Anderson also rallied support for conservation efforts.

“Now we can make the Earth a better place,” Anderson told students from Joamie School and Aqsarniit Middle School.

At Aqsarniit, Anderson presented a new “Earth School” banner and certificate to Joamie School to replace those destroyed when the school burned down this past July. The banner honours the environmental efforts of Joamie School, which was the first so-called “Earth School” in Canada to complete 1,000 environmental projects.

Anderson also presented a “Sky Watchers” kit to Aqsarniit, which is the first school in the North to have students participate in weather monitoring with their peers across Canada.

Travelling with Anderson on his one-day stop in Iqaluit were the ambassadors to Canada from Germany and Iceland. Climate change, Anderson noted, is an international concern, and Iceland, in particular, has much to offer in alternative energy development.