Paris, France, February 2, 2007 -- Environment Minister
John Baird stated today that he and Canada's New Government
accept the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report and called on Canadians
to get ready for some tough decisions on reducing greenhouse
gas emissions.
"The IPCC has presented compelling scientific proof
that the world's climate has changed because of human action
and industrial growth," said Minister Baird. "This
represents an important contribution to the body of scientific
research on the topic. The evidence is in, and it is clear
the time is now for concrete and realistic actions to deal
with climate change and air pollution to improve the health
of Canadians."
Dr. Francis Zwiers, an Environment Canada scientist, and
Dr. Ken Denman, a Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientist
were coordinating lead authors in formulating today's report.
Both participated in the IPCC news conference held today
in Paris. Several other Canadian scientists from Government
and Universities collaborated with other scientists from
around the world to write the report.
"limate change knows no boundaries. Borders and oceans
can't stop one country's polluted air and greenhouse gases
from affecting others," said Minister Baird. "Canada's
New Government recognizes that leadership on this issue
means that real action must begin at home. We also realize
that for the global community to make real progress on climate
change, then governments, industries and citizens from around
the world must work together, and we must do so now."
The IPCC will release two more climate change assessment
reports throughout 2007. A report on Impacts, Adaptation
and Vulnerability will be released April 6 and a report
on Mitigation will be released May 4. A synthesis of all
three reports will be released in November.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was
established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The IPCC's mandate is to assess scientific, technical and
socio- economic information relevant for the understanding
of climate change, its potential impacts, and options for
adaptation and mitigation. The Panel is open to government
representatives from all Members of the UN and of WMO.
Mike Van Soelen
Director of Communications
