Original source URL: http://www.rideauinstitute.ca/atf/cf/%7B4A2130EC-6053-4132-9943-AD6B4AD14A03%7D/WASAN%20ACTION%20FRAMEWORK.PDF?tr=y&auid=3271909 The Wasan Action Framework Declaration and Recommendations of the Interdisciplinary Round Table on Climate Change and Energy Strategies 13-16 September, 2007, Wasan Island, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada Sponsored by Science for Peace, David Suzuki Foundation and Breuninger Foundation CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY THE FIRST CLEAR WARNINGS OF DANGER FROM GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS DUE TO HUMAN ACTIVITY EMERGED 25 YEARS AGO. Prudence would have called for precautionary action at that time to slow down the growth of these emissions. Since then, the scientific understanding of the impact of human activity on global warming has been overwhelmingly confirmed; key predictions based on that understanding have started to occur. Evidence has emerged that the potential impacts of global warming will be much more severe than was predicted even five years ago. Individuals, corporations, and all levels of government around the world have a duty to act as global citizens in the face of the danger posed to life on Earth and to the well-being of the human race as whole. 1 WE DECLARE that human-induced climate change and energy security, in particular peaking of the world oil supply, are crucial issues requiring immediate action. 2 WE DECLARE agreement with the statement by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 regarding the physical basis of climate change: "Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations." 3 WE IDENTIFY AS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS CRISIS: a) the large per capita overconsumption and waste of natural resources in the industrialized countries b) the growth paradigm (economic growth for its own sake) c) the large and growing human population d) the very large dependence on fossil fuel based energy e) the resistance by vested interests to necessary change in energy technology f) the lack of appropriate political leadership g) the lack of global governance to protect the global commons 4 WE PROPOSE A GLOBAL SOLUTION FRAMEWORK: We must begin immediately to a) curb overconsumption and give priority to efficiency, conservation and the avoidance of waste b) promote lower birthrates by empowerment of women through educational, economic and social measures including access to birth control information and services c) focus globally and locally on developing low-impact renewable energy infrastructure and technologies (e.g., small-scale biomass, geothermal, hydro, ocean energy, solar, wind) to their full potential, so as to avoid large-scale biofuel usage and nuclear energy d) reduce carbon emissions by creating a just and universal framework through the implementation of appropriate incentives, government regulation, legislation and taxation e) preserve forests, especially tropical rainforests 5 WE URGE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOLLOWING SOLUTIONS: a) All levels of government as well as the UN and international organizations should embrace the Wasan Action Framework. b) Media, corporations, the educational system from kindergarten to university, and all civil society should collaborate in implementing this Wasan Action Framework. ---- 1 IPCC, 2007: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M.Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. Page 10. Interdisciplinary Round Table on Climate Change and Energy Strategies Wasan Island, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada, September 13-16, 2007 Participants Who Unanimously Voted for the Wasan Action Framework Alton, Janis Co-Chair, Canadian Voice of Women for Peace Bartlett, Albert Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder Breuninger, Helga Director, Breuninger Foundation, Germany Burkhardt, Helmut Emeritus Professor of Physics, Ryerson University Creighton, Phyllis Science for Peace Etcheverry, José Policy Analyst, David Suzuki Foundation; Professor, Dept. of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto Farlinger, Shirley Freelance writer; journalist, Toronto Ford, John Issue Advocate for Energy, Green Party of Ontario; Candidate Ottawa South Goldin Rosenberg, Dorothy Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto Gómez, Ana María Assistant Executive Director, Centro Mario Molina, Mexico Gómez, Emmanuel Project Engineer, Climate Change Program, Centro Mario Molina, Mexico Harvey, Danny Professor, Dept. of Geography, University of Toronto Heaps, Toby A.A. President, Editor and Co-founder, Corporate Knights, Toronto Hu, Amy Climate Change Program, David Suzuki Foundation Kennedy, Joy United Church of Canada; Treasurer CANET Litman, Todd A. Founder and Executive Director, Victoria Transport Policy Institute Lutes, Mark Policy Analyst, Climate Change and Energy, David Suzuki Foundation McInnis, Bert Co-founder, WhatIf? Technologies, Ottawa Marchand, Claude Professor, Glendon College, York University, Toronto Paul, Derek Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Toronto Peltier, Dick Director, Centre for Global Change Science, University of Toronto Philp, Ian Lawyer on UN missions Reijerse, Fidel Founder and President, ResCo Energy Inc., Toronto Roberts, Mary Jane Senior Policy Analyst, Federation of Canadian Municipalities Schreyer, Edward Chancellor, Brandon University, Manitoba; Former Premier of Manitoba and Former Governor General of Canada Tainter, Joseph Department Head, Environment and Society, Utah State University White, Marlene Community Partnerships Manager, Trent University; Federal Liberal Candidate, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock Technical Resource Specialists Who Did Not Vote Hughes, David Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada Love, Peter Chief Conservation Officer, Conservation Bureau, Div. of the Ontario Power Authority Mokry, Manfred Manager Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Canada; Member of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada Zwiers, Francis Director, Climate Research Division, Environment Canada For more information contact: Dr. Derek Paul, Science for Peace * t. 416-532-6440 * •••@••.••• -- -------------------------------------------------------- Posting archives: http://cyberjournal.org/show_archives/?lists=newslog Escaping the Matrix website: http://escapingthematrix.org/ cyberjournal website: http://cyberjournal.org How We the People can change the world: http://governourselves.blogspot.com/ Community Democracy Framework: http://cyberjournal.org/DemocracyFramework.html Moderator: •••@••.••• (comments welcome)
