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VotumE 35 Issue 14 UPEI STUDENT NEWSPAPER Marcu 8, 2005

Environment Minister Talks Kyoto with Students

Nick Stewart - News Editor Canadian Environment Minister Stephane Dion visited the UPEI campus last Thursday and spoke to students, faculty and other guests about the Kyoto Protocol. Dion told students that the federal government is increasing its ~ commitment to the environment, calling ~ last month’s budget the ‘greenest’ ~ budget in the history of Canada, as it - promised $10 Billion dollars for the environment over the next 5 years. He also promised that the government will release their plan to meet its Kyoto - commitments soon. Ee He told the crowd the ~ Canadian government's main priority is ‘sustainable economic growth’. The - three. components to this priority are ~ improving the quality of life, ensuring a ~ competitive economy, and ~ environmental protection. He claimed | the aim of the Kyoto Plan will be to _ decrease emissions while growing the economy.

Although the plan to meet Kyoto commitments has yet to be released, Dion revealed some components. He stressed that environment education of the public is very important, and pointed to the One- Tonne Challenge as increasing environmental awareness amongst the

(L-R:) UPEI Director of Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Dr. Almut Beringer, Joshua Darrach, student, Honourable Stéphane Dion, and Soon Cherng Chau, student

population. He-also mentioned the Climate Fund, an agency that will give companies financial support if they are able to convince the government that their project will decrease pollutants such as carbon dioxide.

When asked about the effectiveness of the protocol without the participation of the world’s two largest pollutants, China and the United States, he answered, “Kyoto is only a first step. Even if all the countries in the world reached Kyoto targets it would only mark a 5 % decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, while scientists are saying they must be reduced by 50 %. If Canada reaches its target it will not be much when compared to how much more China is polluting, but Kyoto is only a beginning, a first step.”

Dion hoped that other countries such as major pollutants such as the

United States and China would join the Protocol in the years ahead. “Start with this, then engage people,” he said referring to the One-Tonne Challenge and other initiatives the Canadian government will be pursuing. “I’m sure that through the years we will have a better protocol.” Charlottetown Public Transit

UPEI Student Nathan Dubeau told the minister a big environmental problem in Charlottetown is the lack of public transit in Charlottetown. He asked if the federal government could give the municipal government funding for a public transit system. Dion responded that Ottawa is transferring

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