MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 23, 2009

Thumbs up for climate justice
Council of Canadians to join international day of climate action

Saint John, NB - Joining with local residents and organizations, the Council of Canadians is hosting a rally for people and the planet in Saint John as part of the world’s largest political demonstration against climate change. On October 24, millions are participating in more than 4000 events worldwide sending a clear message to political leaders that the landmark UN summit in Copenhagen, Denmark this December must result in stronger global climate action.

“The global climate and water crisis lays bare how unsustainable our global economy has become,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson with the Council of Canadians. “The upcoming negotiations in Copenhagen will be an important litmus test for whether world leaders are serious about turning the tide against the climate crises. The human and ecological impacts these crises are having demands real solutions and real change.”

WHO: Featured speakers include: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians; Peggy Nash, Assistant to the Canadian Auto Workers Union President; Ryan Harley and Amanda Boudreau, Hampton High School Green Team; Emily Peiffer, Students for Sustainability in Fredericton and Ella Henry, Coalition for Bottled Water Free Campuses; David Coon, Executive Director, Conservation Council of New Brunswick
WHAT: Climate (of) Change: rally for people and the planet.
WHERE: Market Square, Saint John, New Brunswick.
WHEN: 1-2pm, Saturday, October 24, 2009.

Climate (of) Change: rally for people and the planet will feature knowledgeable speakers on the local, national and international need and potential for climate action and climate justice. The atmosphere will be lively including Spirit of the Four Winds drumming and artwork by Hampton High students. The Climate (of) Change logo – a green earth – will be stamped on rally participants thumbs symbolically demonstrating that people and social justice principles must be central to effective climate action. Pictures of rally participant’s ‘thumbs up for climate justice’ will be submitted to 350.org, the campaign networking international actions.

People will also be sending a direct message to Prime Minister Harper, flooding his office with phone calls during the rally. The message is simple: Canada needs to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, in achieving a global deal that is fair and equitable, leading to real emission reductions in line with what science is says is necessary.

“There are real solutions to the climate crisis,” says David Coon, Executive Director with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. “In our province, there is great potential for improving conservation and energy efficiency, and building an energy system based on local renewable resources. This can reduce emissions, increase energy security and bolster community economies, creating decent, local employment.”

The rally is part of a conference the Council of Canadians is hosting for its 24th Annual General Meeting. ‘Turning the Tide: A just economy for people and the planet’ will focus on alternative economic visions based not on market projections, cyclical recoveries and corporate profits, but on people, the environment and democracy.

For further details on the international day of action, visit: www.canadians.org/climatejustice and www.350.org.

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For more information:

Andrea Harden-Donahue, Energy Campaigner, Council of Canadians, 613-238-5800
Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, 613-795-8685