Breaking Environmental News

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Activists cry foul as climate-change agenda frozen out of G7 meetings

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

5/02/2010 1:40 PM | Comments: 3

IQALUIT, Nunavut - Climate change is not on the official agenda of the G7 meeting, but activists say a new report released as some participants took a dog-sled run proves it should be.

The U.S.-based Pew Environmental Group said it has quantified for the first time the economic costs of the Arctic's warming and it adds up to at least US$2.4 trillion over the next 40 years.

Economist Eban Goldstein of Bard College in New York says the Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world.

And he says the combination of melting ice, increased sunlight absorption by darker barren ground and the release of methane as the permafrost thaws will this year warm the earth the equivalent of 40 per cent of total U.S. industrial emissions.

There was scant evidence of melting outside, where Finance Minister Jim Flaherty led several of his guests on a traditional dog-sled ride over frozen Frobisher Bay.

But locals here uniformly testify of the changes they've observed to weather over the past few decades, particularly earlier-than-normal spring thaws.

The dignitaries were advised to dress appropriately for their two-day visit to Iqaluit, which is only about 300 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. But the weather so far has been more typical of Ottawa or Montreal, with temperatures expected to reach -8C on Saturday.

The key issue before the ministers and central bankers is the growing chill between the U.S. and the rest of world over the nature and extent of financial reform required to guard against a repeat of the 2007 economic melt-down.

Rate this
This article is currently rated an average of 5 out of 5 (1 votes).

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

3 Comments

Posted by: M Btok

February 6, 2010 at 3:17 PM

The bottom line to all this BS is this: The money in your bank account and your freedom to do what you want to do with it - Is far more important to the Global Elites and the people who sit on the high chairs in the United Nations, and IMF than any Carbon Emission they'd like you to believe you created! Follow the money! How obvious does it have to get before you can see? Re: Check out what Government is doing behind your back

Report abusive comment

Posted by: billy

February 6, 2010 at 8:31 AM

rolls my eyes... what about the glaciers that are growing? yes growing!! this global warming crap is just that. CRAP!! i guess the global warming email scandal wasnt enough evidence, time to lay on the same crap again..but heavier,, believe what you will, the planet is not doomed, just a bunch of highly paid "warmer" scientists that are in up over their heads and really need to keep thier job..

Report abusive comment

Posted by: Mr. Reader

February 5, 2010 at 3:58 PM

Hey... on the picture that links to this story did anyone else happen to notice our finance minister is wearing what looks like a Canada Goose jacket? Only the best for him I guess. I certainly hope he bought his out of his own pocket, because depending on where you go and what kind you buy you can pay $750.00 to $1000.00. Wouldn't want him to catch a cold I guess!