Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the impacts of climate change can be seen in:
- • receding shorelines and lower water levels;
- • depleted populations of fish and wildlife;
- • increasing numbers of invasive species;
- • warmer winter temperatures, less predictable ice conditions and shorter winter road seasons;
- • thawing of permafrost;
- • higher sea levels and melting sea ice;
- • increased forest fires and insect infestations;
- • less predictable weather patterns; and
- • shifting vegetation zones;
AND WHEREAS a petition claiming that the United States is violating the human rights of Inuit by refusing to sign any international treaties to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions is currently before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights;
AND WHEREAS the NWT's 2001 greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 1750 kilotonnes, of which
- • 52 percent came from industry;
- • 18 percent from the transportation sector;
- • 7 percent each from the commercial and industrial electricity sectors;
- • 5 percent from residences;
- • 4 percent from community electricity; and
- • 3 percent from government;
AND WHEREAS the Yukon government, in July 2006, released a Climate Change Strategy that includes:
- • broad goals targeted at enhancing the awareness and understanding of climate change impacts;
- • taking measures to reduce the levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the Yukon;
- • building environmental, social and economic systems that are able to adapt to climate change impacts; and
- • positioning the Yukon as a northern leader for applied climate change research and innovation;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the government, in all its decisions and actions as a participant on environmental regulatory bodies, advocate for:
- • the precautionary principle;
- • the polluter pay principle; and
- • the completion and implementation of comprehensive watershed management and land use plans as soon as possible in order to safeguard water sources and maintain ecosystem integrity across the basin;
AND FURTHERMORE that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the government:
- • set targets to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions;
- • develop incentives to encourage residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions;
- • encourage all other sectors to develop their own emission management plans and targets; and
- • work with the Government of Canada to develop means of encouraging the resource development industry to minimize its greenhouse gas emissions;
AND FURTHERMORE that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the government develop a comprehensive plan to raise awareness and address the expected impacts of climate change on the land and water, wildlife, public safety, transportation, and public infrastructure.