Canada has been under fire internationally for the Harper government’s recent announcement of its intention to pull out of the only international treaty that attempts to address the climate crisis, the Kyoto Protocol. China, Japan, France, India, and Tuvalu, a small island state at risk from climate change, have all been vocal in their condemnation of Canada’s unprecedented move. But Canadians can rest easy knowing that Vladimir Putin, at least, is on our side:
Russia supports Canada’s decision to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol, says its foreign ministry, reaffirming Friday that Moscow will not take on new commitments. (Kyoto Protocol: Canada Backed By Russia After Pulling Out of Climate Deal).
Phew! For a while there, it looked like we were becoming an international pariah for our uncooperative, bullying attitude and ethical-oil-pushing Environment Minister. Thanks, Vlad!
In a related story, a friend recently posted this story on her Facebook wall:
My dog got into the trash and ate the fat I trimmed off a cooked roast and it usually results in random dog droppings. This morning my husband woke up and stepped right into it. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me he stepped on a Peter Kent.
More links:
China, Japan, Say Canada’s Kyoto Withdrawal “Regrettable”
Canada Under Fire For Kyoto Protocol Exit
Justin Trudeau Calls On Peter Kent to Issue His Own Apology After Expletive-Tinged Commons Clash
Claiming Joy & Healing Amidst the Climate Emergency 
8 responses to “Canada’s New Climate Buddy: Russia”
How ironic that most frozen methane lie in Canada and Russia…
“Canada has been under fire internationally for the Harper government’s recent announcement of its intention to pull out of the only international treaty that attempts to address the climate crisis, the Kyoto Protocol”
Wow, we’re under fire internationally. That means they say bad things about us and give us a good glaring. Wow.
Are these the same nations who wouldn’t carry any of the burden in Afganistan? I thought so.
The mind boggles at this sort of “logic”, yet it exemplifies exactly the kind of thinking of the folks we currently have at the helm in Ottawa. Gone is Canada’s legacy of standing up for human rights, especially those of the less powerful (and no, Afghanistan is not an example of standing up for human rights, we’re just dancing to the U.S.’s tune), and working to make the world a better place for everyone. It’s a narrower, meaner, self-interested, short-term thinking kind of world view. Yet, even Klem, SH, Kent, will eventually realize that we’re all in this boat together, although some of us may be in first class and some of us may be in 3rd class. If they stopped drilling long enough, they would realize we’re all going down together.
“Gone is Canada’s legacy of standing up for human rights, especially those of the less powerfu..”
Yea, that’s why we fully support the UNs REDD program, where the carbon stored in rainforests is sold to foreign bidders and thus control of the rainforests is taken from the Aboriginals who live there. Yea, thats Canada alright, always selling control of rainforests from aboriginals because we don’t stand up for human rights anymore. That legacy is ‘Gone’ as you say.
But I’m sure you support REDD, because you stand up for human rights.That’s right, you’re one of the good guys. You do it for the children..sniff…
http://www.eurasiareview.com/04122011-peru-amazonian-indigenous-peoples-against-redd/
http://lapress.org/articles.asp?art=6525
Klem – I’m not that familiar with the REDD program, so your presumption isn’t accurate. But if, like cap & trade, it’s a scheme that allows manipulation and a slanting of the playing field towards those with power & money (which it sounds like it is) I don’t support it. The problem is, I believe, that the ones making the rules are the ones who aren’t in it for the good of the planet (or for the good of the indigenous peoples who have suffered so many losses over the last 500 years of European domination). It’s time for a paradigm shift: “there’s enough for everyone’s need but not everyone’s greed”.
[…] the berry supply. But they added insult to injury by leaving a great big Peter Kent on the lawn. (Thanks to 350orbust for helping to add that one to the lexicon.) Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this […]
“But if, like cap & trade, it’s a scheme that allows manipulation and a slanting of the playing field towards those with power & money (which it sounds like it is) I don’t support it. ”
I don’t understand, its backed by your friends at the UN and the World Bank. And its all about saving the planet. Some might say you are a denialist.
Oh to have a world view that is so black and white, so that if one is concerned about climate change it automatically puts them in a box with the UN and the World Bank (really?? the World Bank?!!).
The climate crisis, which is emblematic of the crisis the industrialized Western way of thinking about and treating the world, and those around us who have a differing way of being in that world, is an invitation to shift our world view. It’s an invitation to become grown ups, and stop the black & white/us & them thinking. To adopt a mature attitude is to realize that neither the world, nor any people we meet, nor even we ourselves, ever behave or think completely in one way or another. Look around at the world, and embrace the incredible diversity in how life is expressed. That is the model for us.