WATCH ABOVE: Sunday, thousands of people gathered across the province, pushing for an international climate treaty. As Tracy Nagai reports, many stood on the steps of the legislature for a rally, this time with renewed hope ahead of the climate summit in Paris.
CALGARY – There’s just one more night until high-stakes climate change negotiations get underway.
The prime minister and Alberta’s premier are among the world leaders in Paris this week, to try and reach a deal to slow global warming.
READ MORE: Alberta’s Notley says many avenues for success at Paris climate summit
Sunday, thousands of people gathered across the province, pushing for an international climate treaty.
Many stood on the steps of the legislature for a rally, this time with renewed hope ahead of the climate summit in Paris.
It’s a global initiative to pressure world leaders to end climate change.
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“We’ve just come out of the Harper government where climate was not addressed in any way, shape or form,” said Adam Stein, from the People’s Climate March Edmonton. “We need some really radical and big leaps with this issue.”
READ MORE: Trudeau meeting Indian PM to discuss climate change ahead of COP21
“People all around the world have been doing this kind of march and rallying for a number of years. I felt this year for me it was important to show up,” said Marion Tompkins, a demonstrator.
This year’s summit is an ambitious one to unite around 150 nations in a single agreement, countries will be legally bound to set targets.
“We need to make sure all the countries, whether Canada or others, are pushing for targets that are going to keep us below two degrees of warming. So that’s going to be different for every country, depending on what their economy and emissions look like, but together we need to make sure we stay under that threshold,’ said Kim Finch, a rally organizer.
Premier Rachel Notley’s challenge is to show the world it’s dealing with a new Alberta and sell the NDP’s new climate change plan.
“There are people who are very happy with the way things have been, but the fact of the matter is oil can’t carry Alberta forever,” said Finch.
While determined demonstrators continue to push for change, it’s yet to be seen what countries will keep their word if a deal is made.
On Friday, Trudeau pledged another $2.65 billion over five years toward a UN climate fund to aid developing countries.
READ MORE: Trudeau pledges $2.6B to developing nations to fight climate change
Trudeau also takes with him in his back pocket Alberta’s sweeping new climate change strategy, introduced by Notley a week ago.
While determined demonstrators continue to push for change, it’s yet to be seen what countries will keep their word if a deal is made.
READ MORE: Climate change a low priority for most Canadians: Ipsos poll
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