Citizens calling for action on climate change

Thousands mobilize to send messages to Prime Minister, but number not released by PM office

MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ -The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace has distributed over 380,000 cards across Canada calling on the Prime Minister to take action on climate change.

These cards are part of the organization's current campaign Create a Climate of Change, which highlights how the poorest in countries of the Global South are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change and the urgent need to act.

Development and Peace's thousands of members across the country have been raising awareness on the issue and asking people to sign the card, which also asks Canadians to make a lifestyle change that is better for the planet. They have been active in their parishes, schools, and their community-at-large, to engage people.

Although the exact number of cards sent to the Prime Minister can only be known through an access to information request, the organization can confirm that 380,000 cards, representing 1/10th of the population, have been distributed from coast to coast.

"With the COP21 as a key moment, there was an urgency to get cards signed, and our members really rose up to the challenge. It is unfortunate that it is such a laborious process to find out the number of cards that were received. It limits citizen participation, but we are hopeful that the new government will restore previous practices that made this type of information easily accessible," says David Leduc, Executive Director of Development and Peace.

The card asks the Prime Minister to commit Canada to:

1. Adopting a fair, ambitious, and legally-binding international agreement on climate change to ensure that the world's temperature rise does not exceed 2°C.

2. Providing the resources necessary for the most vulnerable communities in the world to adapt to climate change.

3. Transitioning Canada's fossil-fuel dependent economy towards one that is based on energy efficiency and renewable energy.

In the lead-up to COP21, Development and Peace is participating in the 100% Possible march in Ottawa on November, 29th, and its members are active in marches and vigils happening across the country.

The organization will also be present in Paris to follow the negotiations and to participate in the global Catholic mobilization that has emerged in response to Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment Laudato Si', which calls for a new economic model that respects the Earth and its people.

Development and Peace remains hopeful that the government will make known the number of cards received before the end of the COP21 and will reassure citizens that the Prime Minister heard their message on climate change.



For further information: please contact: Kelly Di Domenico, Communications Officer, 514 226-9620 (cell),


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