National Inuit Leader demands consideration for Arctic in climate change talks

December 7, 2009, Ottawa ON – The political agreement that emerges from climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark, next week must address both mitigation and adaptation in the Arctic regions – and acknowledge the accelerated effects of global warming, said National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

"I am calling on the Canadian government to ensure that Inuit interests are represented in this important document, which has the power to influence climate change negotiations for decades to come." Simon has agreed to attend the negotiations in Copenhagen as part of the Canadian delegation led by Environment Minister Jim Prentice. "I will be attending in two capacities," she said. "First, to advocate on behalf of Inuit in Canada, and second, to advise Minister Prentice on the measures needed to combat climate change in the Canadian Arctic."

She urged world leaders to make adaptation programs and financing available to populations at risk in both developing and developed countries, she added, including the Inuit populations. "It is appropriate for Canada to fund such programs in the Canadian Arctic, but a binding international agreement should acknowledge the needs of all populations at risk if it is to be fair and just. I urge Canada to push for such recognition in the text of the political agreement," she said. "In addition, all countries must take a stand on emissions reductions. I am not going to judge Canada's targets - including new 'absolute caps' announced by Minister Prentice on Thursday - in a vacuum. I want to see the aggregate impact of the reductions when all countries have declared their targets in Copenhagen."

Yet Simon doubts the $10 billion for adaptation announced by Commonwealth countries last week will be sufficient, saying G20 countries should step forward with a $20-billion startup fund building to a larger negotiated amount by 2020.

"Copenhagen is the time for world leaders to take action and make difficult decisions to protect our planet for Inuit and others affected by rising temperatures and changing climate," she said. "We need to change the language of the debate from what cannot be done to what must be done. We will all suffer the consequences of climate change inaction and we have all contributed to the problem.This month, we have the opportunity to make a difference - to draft a solution."

For more information:

Patricia D'Souza, Communications officer Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (613) 292-4482 dsouza@itk.ca