Atlantic groups demand more action on climate change

A coalition of Atlantic Canadian environmental groups says the region's governments have to be more aggressive in dealing with greenhouse gas emissions. The coalition says each Atlantic province with the exception of Prince Edward Island has fallen short of their stated goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2010.

Gretchen Fitzgerald of the Sierra Club of Canada says more needs to be done to promote renewable energy and to reduce emissions in the transportation sector.

She says better transportation links between provinces and the development of more affordable public transit would be a significant help in the battle to reduce emissions. 

Three group members dressed as smokestacks handed out report cards to delegates entering the annual conference of New England governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in Halifax.

Fitzgerald says New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I. were given a B for their efforts, while Newfoundland and Labrador was handed a D minus for still not having released a climate action plan that was expected in 2008.                                                                                          

The Chronicle Herald Nova Scotia: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/9021409.html

The Guardian, PEI: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2011-07-11/article-2645539/P.E.I.-only-Atlantic-province-to-meet-goal-to-reduce-emissions-/1

Also published by metronews.ca: http://www.metronews.ca/halifax

Also extended interview with Atlantic Chapter Gretchen Fitzgerald, broadcast by news957.com, on July 11th: http://www.news957.com/shows/article/179259