Posted on 12/04/2005 12:52:47 AM PST by F14 Pilot
Thousands of demonstrators braved frigid temperatures on Saturday as they marched through downtown Montreal urging the United States and other countries to do more to curb global warming.
The protesters converged on a square outside the Montreal conference centre, where delegates from 189 countries are meeting at a UN conference on climate change from Nov. 28-Dec. 9. They're formerly implementing the Kyoto Protocol on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and trying to plan for its successor.
Police said about 7,000 people – some dressed as polar bears or sporting other elaborate costumes – took part in the rally.
It was one of more than 30 demonstrations being held in cities around the world Saturday to urge stronger government action against climate change. In perhaps the largest rally, about 10,000 people marched past British Prime Minister Tony Blair's home on Downing Street in London.
The participants in Montreal came from across Canada, the United States and elsewhere, and included representatives of major environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Fund's Climate Change Program and the Sierra Club.
A number of politicians also came out to show support, including Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair, Quebec Environment Minister Thomas Mulcair, federal Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe and Green Party Leader Jim Harris.
'We will not wait for George W. Bush'
Kyoto – which came into effect on Feb. 16, 2005 – set legally binding targets for the greenhouse gas emissions from developed countries between 2008 and 2012.
The U.S. rejected Kyoto in 2001, making it one of the only major industrialized countries that didn't sign the protocol.
U.S. President George W. Bush has said he opposed it because he thought it would harm the American economy. He also objected to the fact that poorer countries producing proportionately large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as China, were excluded.
Washington has also repeatedly challenged widespread scientific predictions of the effects of global warming, such as catastrophic floods and droughts.
"We will move the world ahead. We will not wait for George W. Bush," Elizabeth May of the Sierra Club told the crowd of demonstrators. "Together we can save the climate. Together we will stop fossil fuels from destroying our future."
Continued U.S. resistance to caps on greenhouse gas emissions has been a key stumbling block as conference delegates try to prepare for the next round of talks about an environmental treaty that would replace Kyoto in 2012.
Delegates who back the Kyoto Protocol have also been trying to enlist the support of countries such as China, India and Brazil, which do not yet have specific targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fear such restrictions might hamper their rapidly developing economies.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
There's not a thing in the world humans could do about the climate.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
"They're formerly implementing the Kyoto Protocol." A little Freudian slip there. I suppose they meant "formally implementing."
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
ROTFLMFAO! Sorry, I was laughing too hard to RTFA... Sheesh!
You won't see a march like that in Alberta. If this warming keeps up I'll move back there - won't have to face those -40 degree temperatures anymore!
Ms. May probably flew in and out of Canada in a private jet and was driven to and from the demonstration in a SUV.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Frozen fruitloops ping.
Send them all to the Sun with fire extinguishers.
Bush's fault.....heeheeheeheehee! Doctor Evil......and mini me.
I'd respond to this thread but I'm trying to cut down on my energy use.
Well, we've always heard, "Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it." Well, doggone it, these folks are gonna do something about it! LOL!
That would be a good start. Or, the protesters could remain the blatant fossil-fuel-burning, car-driving hypocrites that they are...
Did your government just fall apart due to corruption and graft? Not a problem -- let's talk about global warming!
Are Islamofascists blowing up your subway system? Let's talk about global warming!
Is your socialist economy in the tank with no hope of improvement in sight? Time to talk about global warming!
And as an added bonus, we can blame it all on the USA. Perfect!
Montreal, like Minneapolis, can turn out 7,000 demonstrators on just about any issue. Both have a more or less full time "protest community."
That reminds me of Algore giving the speech on global warming on one of the coldest days last year.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.