Canadian Youths Protest Govt's Climate Change Policy at COP17

Members of the Canadian Youth Delegation on Wednesday protested against their government's climate change policy outside the venue of UN climate talks.

The protest took place as Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent delivered his opening address at COP 17, or the 17th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Just as Kent began his speech, six youth stood up and turned away from the minister, revealing the message "Turn your back on Canada" prominently displayed on their shirts.

"Our so-called Environment Minister entered these talks by going on record that he would be defending the tar sands. I have yet to hear him say that he's here to defend my future," said James Hutt, one of the youth delegates who participated in the protest, part of the Turn Your Backs on Canada campaign.

The youths received an ovation from the crowd watching the minister's address. Then they were escorted out of the International Convention Center's plenary hall and removed from the premises.

"This extraction-happy government hasn't limited their reckless behaviour the climate talks here in Durban," said Tasha Peters, another participant in the protest, "Canada has been called out for lobbying to lower EU fuel quality regulations to allow the expansion of world's largest and most destructive mega-project – the Alberta tar sands."

Just as COP17 began, Kent said Canada would withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol which requires developed countries to cut gas emissions.

He later informed delegates at the Durban climate talks that Canada will not renew its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol that would run from 2013 to 2017.

As the negotiations have progressed in Durban, Canada has won 12 "Fossil of the Day" awards due to their action in Durban, according to a press release issued by non-governmental organizations.

The Fossil of the Day awards are presented to the countries that do their best to block progress at UN climate talks. The awards are awarded daily by a coalition of 400 leading international NGOs.

Over the past week, half of Canadian youths have challenged Canada's irresponsible Canadian negotiation strategies, indicative of the close relationship between Canada's climate policy and dirty fossil fuels, said the release.

"By stalling international progress, the actions of this government put the future of our country and our generation in danger; we won't take that sitting down," said Hutt, "As long as Canada is at the negotiation table promoting industry over human rights, we will never see the climate agreement the world needs. It's time to leave Canada behind."