CANADIAN YOUTH TRAVEL TO AFRICA TO ADDRESS CANADA’S CLIMATE LEADERSHIP VOID.


(National) – A group of 21 Canadian youth, frustrated with the current lack of leadership by Canada’s federal government on climate change, is traveling to Kenya on Nov. 1 to show the world the climate crisis will not be swept under the political carpet or treated with any less importance than it demands. “Climate change is the fight of our generation,” says Naomi Devine, a youth delegate from Victoria. “We do not suffer from a lack of solutions. Where are our political leaders on this? Since they are far too few, and far too quiet, we must become those leaders.”

Cameron Stiff, general coordinator for the delegation, notes that “it is critical for youth to be there. We know what’s happening to our atmosphere is threatening our very chances of survival - our food, our energy and our international security. We are getting dangerously close to the edge. Our society needs to acknowledge that – and implement solutions that match the seriousness of the threat we face.”

The delegation will travel to Nairobi, Kenya from November 1 to 17 and continue to build on the successes achieved at last year’s climate change conference, held in Montreal. Since then, Canada’s government has faced both international and domestic criticism for its lack of support of the Kyoto Protocol, the only global agreement that sets hard targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

With no government support they are fundraising and organizing the trip to the 12th annual international climate change conference to the UN. Hailing from across the country, the group brings diverse perspectives to the table, with a strong emphasis on education, action, and leadership. The Canadian ENGO community is supportive but, like many advocacy groups in Canada, has recently witnessed dramatic funding cuts.

The Canadian Youth Delegation to Nairobi formed out of the founding summit of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, held in early September in Toronto. The number of individuals on the Youth Delegation is projected to rival that of the entire Canadian governmental delegation to the international conference.

Support from the both community groups, individuals and businesses is sought in order to ensure that as many members of the delegation as possible have a chance to attend and have their voices heard. Interested donors can make contributions at www.canadahelps.org, under the name Canadian Youth Delegation. Charitable tax receipts can be issued for any amount.

For Interviews with Youth Delegates in specific regions, please speak to a Regional Contact:

Naomi Devine, BC (250) 472-5170
Aiden Abram, Ontario (519) 760-0701
Nathalie Arsenault, Quebec (514) 937-4997
Zoe Caron, Nova Scotia (902) 444-3113
Josh Darrach, Prince Edward Island (902) 393-0822

www.cydnairobi.ca