"When it comes to fighting climate change, the will of Canadians is clear. The world is waiting to hear your voice and to see your country take action. You just need a government that's willing to actually represent you, free of distortion, beholden to no other special interest besides the best interest of Canadians. That's true leadership, and in the climate era, it's a prerequisite for survival." James Hansen, world-renowned climatologist and adjunct professor at Columbia University.
The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change begins in a few days. Over the last few years the world has speculated on what the outcome will be for this summit. It has been hoped that viable solutions and agreements between nations, industry and indigenous peoples can be found. It must act as a lasting successor to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change action. Scientists tell us that there is no time to waste.
It's fitting that International Human Rights Day, which is December 10th, is celebrated during the Copenhagen Climate Summit. The very fabric and future of our civilization is rooted in part on human rights, respect for biodiversity and climate safety. But binding the various elements that define a civilization is ethics. There must be a radical shift towards inspired and honest leadership, but just as importantly, there must be communities that demand real leadership. As we approach Copenhagen there appears to be a stirring amongst governments to recognize the urgency to find solutions, but governments still rule by decree when they refuse to bring youth into the centre of the decision making process.
Our Canadian government is 'leading' the industrial world towards doing nothing at the Copenhagen Summit, and creating an unethical alchemy of disinformation. For many years our federal government has tried to create a 'coalition of the unwilling' among other nations and fossil fuel corporations whose mantra is inaction on climate mitigation.
Closer to home the same shameful and hierarchical approach to planning for our future can be found in the power structure of Town of Blue Mountains Integrated Sustainability Plan. The patriarchal non-grassroots direction of this 'Plan' can best be examined by first looking at the Steering Committee. Presently, it is made up of nine individuals, six of whom are directly associated with the Town, two representatives from industry and only one member from the general community. Of the nine people on the Committee, seven are men. There is no one under thirty -five as yet present on this steering committee even though there are bright, forward thinking youth who could be part of the group. No less than three young adults/youth should be on the steering committee. Where is the Vision for 2050 in this Plan when not one youth is part of the planning process?
Things only get worse when the main source of ideas that are submitted to the Steering Committee come from an elite consortium comprised of industry and established organizations that were invited to sit at the 'Sustainable' table back in May. This same group still meets at eithera ski/golf resort or a golf club where they get free gourmet lunches.
Unfortunately there is to be only one workshop for community to express its ideas for the Plan. That happened on November 26. As a result of the efforts of the Beaver Valley Community School and Georgian Triangle Earth Day Celebration, thirty youth under twenty-five came out to the meeting along with older citizens. Why is there only one chance to be heard?
There is a great need to have a Town of Blue Mountains Plan that respects its citizens. The Town needs to go back and start again if its 'Plan' is to have any authenticity.
