THE TRIUMPH OF BIG, DIRTY OIL
Most Canadians feel ashamed to see our country being the first nation in the world to withdraw from the Kyoto Treaty. Canada’s performance at the climate talks in Durban and the decision to pull out of Kyoto has drawn criticism from people worldwide--and rightly so. That our government would be willing to sacrifice human lives and our future for the sake of short-term profits from a polluting and non-renewable resource is simply outrageous. To make things worse, the oil boom in Alberta is artificially pushing up the Canadian dollar and destroying manufacturing jobs in Ontario. Climate change and its disastrous effects--droughts, heat waves, flooding, and spread of disease--are already killing 300,000 people a year and driving many more into poverty. Hundreds of thousands are becoming refugees as such impacts make their homelands uninhabitable. Experts believe that up to a billion people could become refugees in coming years if the trend continues. Find out what you can do at www.davidsuzuki.org EARTH DAY LETTER TO TORONTO CITY COUNCIL Dear Councillor, Earth Day is celebrated each year to remind us of the responsibility we all bear in addressing the environmental crisis facing our world. Cities have a particularly important role is this effort, and Toronto has been a leader in environmental policies for many years. Click here to download PDF. COMMUNITIES TO TORONTO HYDRO: "WE NEED GOOD GREEN JOBS NOW" The Good Jobs for All Coalition launched the Green Jobs for All at Hydro campaign at Toronto City Hall on Monday June 7, two days after World Environment Day. The campaign calls on Toronto Hydro to invest in economic development, equity and green energy. Click here for more We need good green jobs now STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR GREEN JOBS CONFERENCE On November 7th, a unique event took place at the newly renovated Allstream Building on the CNE grounds in Toronto. The Green Jobs for All conference brought together over 600 union members, environmentalists, students, elected representatives and community activists . Click here Green Jobs + Power for the article in Our Times. For pictures of the day go here green jobs pictures GREEN JOBS FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION What will it take to win good, green jobs for all? The six hundred participants at the November 7th Good Green Jobs for All conference brought forward the ideas that form a framework for action. To see the framework click here framework HUNDREDS DREAM GREEN AT GOOD JOBS CONFERENCE By Peter Hogarth and Charlotte Ireland in Rabble.ca. An overwhelming majority of Canadians agree that climate change is a pressing issue that demands immediate action. On Nov. 7, over 600 participants came together for the Good Green Jobs Conference. Click here for the rest of the article Hundreds dream green "MOVING TO A GREEN ECONOMY WITH GOOD JOBS: Investment in Transit and Passenger Rail" The Canadian Labour Congress calls for massive transit funding to meet the future. To read more click here. WE CAN HAVE JOBS AND A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT by John Cartwright, Guest Columnist, Toronto Sun, November 18, 2008 A lot of other folks knew that a while ago -- more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in the GTA over the last five years, even before the market meltdown. To read the rest click here healthier environment GREEN PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY A group of Toronto union activists travelled to Pittsburgh in March to join 800 others in a historic event – the first U.S. National Green Jobs Conference. To read on click here green pathways out of poverty GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN TORONTO - In July 2007 the Labour Council deputation to the City of Toronto Economic Development Committee supported the recommendations of the Gartner Lee/Delphi Report. To view the Labour Council presentation click here. To view the presentation go here SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION Public transit is not only the most affordable means of transportation for many working families, it is also the most environmentally friendly mode of mass transit. Click here for the workbook about labour-oriented transit solutions in Canada's largest urban centre. "MESSAGE TO COUNCILLORS - NO INCINERATION!" Labour Council President cautions city Councillors about the long term dangers of garbage incineration. For the letter to the Councillors click here. LABOUR COUNCIL'S STATEMENT ON GREEN JOBS ....click here. |