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"It's such a shame," said the David Suzuki Foundation's Dale Marshall. "Canadians are saying they want to see action on climate change, and the world's foremost decision-makers are saying it's possible to fix the environment and the economy at the same time. We have Obama saying yes we can, and Canada says, no we won't."

The U.S. position is shifting with the election of Barack Obama, who though absent from these talks, has indicated a willingness to bring the U.S. back into the international fold.

"We have been very encouraged by the Chinese government's movement, but when a country like Canada refuses to participate, it's very difficult to maintain momentum," said Hou Yanli, Director, Global Climate Initiative, WWF China.

"One of the richest countries in the world is blocking progress. Industrialized countries like Canada must show leadership," said Moussa Na Abau Mamouda of ENDA Third World, Dakar, Senegal.

"It's so disappointing. Canadians expect better," said Joy Kennedy of the United Church of Canada. "We used to be proud of Canada's leadership on the world stage. We used to exercise moral authority in times of crisis. Now it's painful to watch Canada behaving as if climate change is not a crisis-even in our own country, particularly the far North."

Danger in the Nursery: Impact on Birds of Tar Sands Oil Development in Canada's Boreal Forest is a new study released by Pembina Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council and the Boreal Songbird Initiative. The authors call on the Alberta government to stop approving projects until conservation and mitigation measures can be put in place.

"At a time when bird populations are rapidly declining, this report puts into perspective the far reaching effects of tar sands oil development," said the report's lead author Jeff Wells, Ph.D. of the Boreal Songbird Initiative. "The public needs to understand the real and long-term ecological costs of this development."

It is estimated half of America's migratory birds nest in the Boreal forest, and each year 22-17 million birds breed in the area slotted for potential development of tar sands oil. The report suggests impacts will increase despite international treaties to protect birds.

The awards are given to governments taking positions that stall or block the progress of climate negotiations. At the climate talks, the Canadian delegation has failed to take a constructive approach to negotiations.

Canada tied for first place with Japan and Russia in failing to support deep reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. Reductions of at least 25-40% are needed by 2020, in order to avoid dangerous global warming.

For the second Fossil of the Day Award, Canada received two shame awards. Canada's negotiators argued the country should get a break on its emissions targets, because the tar sands release a lot of carbon. Canada also insisted rich countries should get special treatment for "welfare loss" - the "hardship" of using smaller cars, or public transit.

"The tar sands should not be exempted from targets for reductions," said Stephen Hazell, Sierra Club Executive Director.

Canada picked up a third award for arguing that special "national circumstances" (i.e., Canada is cold and big) are the reason for Canada being 29% above its Kyoto target. Other cold countries such as Sweden have been able to meet their Kyoto targets.

The declaration, issued by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger calls for action before the next global agreement on climate change is reached. The declaration commits signers to the exchanged of incentive programs, best practices, adaptation strategies and technology transfer.

The nonbinding declaration establishes a framework for negotiators at the current United Nation talks toward a new climate treaty being held in Poznan, Poland. The next international climate agreement will be negotiated and signed in Copenhagen December 2009.

The declaration sets in motion various workgroups to develop sector specific policy positions on industries producing the most greenhouse gases - forestry, agriculture, cement, transportation, energy, iron and aluminum.

Toronto City Council agreed to implement a series of controversial packaging-reduction bylaws including a five-cent charge for every plastic bag used in retail or grocery stores starting in June 2009.

Just last month the province of Ontario rejected a bill that would ban plastic water bottles. Education Minister Kathleen Wynne voted against the private member's bill, saying the plan wouldn't allow enough time to ensure clean water is available to everyone who needs it.

According to the Polaris Institute 17 municipalities from 5 provinces have banned bottled water, while another 45 municipalities are planning restrictions. Environmentalists say tap water is just as good in most Canadian municipalities - and much cheaper.

• More than three-quarters of respondents agreed that, "Canada's global warming targets should be based on what leading scientists say is needed to avoid serious harm to people and the environment, even if meeting these targets entails some cost to the economy."
• 83% of Canadians surveyed agreed that, "Canada should commit to strong action on global warming without waiting for other countries
• More than two-thirds of Canadians surveyed agreed that, "the world's richest countries, including Canada, should provide sufficient financial aid to allow developing countries to cope with global warming."

"Canadians believe that the government should tackle global warming despite the economic crisis," said Graham Saul, Climate Action Network Canada. "Unfortunately, Canada's government is still stuck in a mentality that sees action on global warming as a risk to our economy."

"If the government was listening to Canadians, we'd have a much more ambitious approach to cutting our greenhouse gas pollution," said Clare Demerse, a senior policy analyst at the Pembina Institute. "Right now, Canada's targets are nowhere close to the level that scientists tell us is needed to do our fair share in avoiding catastrophic global warming."

Gaile Whelan Enns of Manitoba Wildlands commented, "We need to acknowledge that Opposition members of parliament are ready to take real action on global warming for Canadians. All parties need to make Parliament work for real climate actions."

The poll was commissioned by four Canadian observer organizations attending the UN climate meetings in Poznan, Poland - the United Church of Canada, Greenpeace, Climate Action Network Canada, and the Pembina Institute.

Premier Jean Charest's commitment demonstrates a balance between conservation and economic development. The announcement ensures the protection of continuous tracks of land large enough to support such species as the caribou.

Other provinces may be following suit. A new voluntary team of scientists called the International Boreal Conservation Science Panel is working to protect Canada's boreal forest. The panel hopes Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta will follow Quebec and Ontario's example.

The boreal forest stretches from Newfoundland to Alaska and is essential in the fight against climate change. Acting as a carbon sink, the area now holds 186 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 27 years worth of global carbon emissions. It also holds massive reserves of freshwater and healthy populations of wildlife in fully functioning ecosystems.

Environmental groups want to make sure Poznan isn't 'just another meeting'. They are urging citizens of the globe to send a message to climate change decision makers that 'The World is Watching' what happens at Poznan.

These climate negotiations follow last year's launch of a negotiations 'roadmap' agreed to in Bali, Indonesia that paved the way to finalize an agreement beyond the conclusion of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012. But global leaders only have until next year's 2009 UN climate meetings in Copenhagen, Denmark to reach a deal. This year requires all nations to acknowledge responsibilities, negotiate in good faith, and commit to doing more to avoid dangerous shifts in the climate system.

To get involved, submit photos through either the Greenpeace International website, WWF International website or a dedicated Flickr page. Envirnomental organizations will bring your photos to Poznan meetings, and present them to the world's leaders. Global citizens want Poznan to result in a commitment to a fair and ambitious climate deal at next year's UN climate talks in Copenhagen.

At the MNO's annual general assembly this month, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Brad Duguid and MNO President Gary Lipinski signed the framework agreement. The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language and heritage who have played an instrumental role in the shaping of Canada.

On regional levels, Ontario Métis leaders have met to sign local consultation protocols to ensure the protection of Métis harvesting rights. Four such agreements have been signed to ensure that regional Métis councils will be consulted about land planning, energy, mining and forestry development on traditional territories.

To date no similar agreements between the Manitoba government and Manitoba Métis Federation exist.

WWF condemned Nunavut and the Canadian government earlier for maintaining a poplar bear hunt quota of 105 bears. Estimates show the Baffin Bay sub-population, one of the most fragile, has dropped from 2,100 in 1997 to about 1,500. Greenland's quota for its own hunters is 68. Together with Nunavut's 105 bears, this is nearly three times the sustainable harvest.

Scientists and environmental officials urge Nunavut to reduce its quota to 64 bears or less. Tribal elders insist the number of polar bears is actually rising but experts say bears are being pushed ashore as a result of melting sea ice and hunger.

Government has deferred their decision but the low reproductive rate of polar bears could mean a lengthy recovery from over harvesting.

The meeting is the first of three key steps called for by WWF-Canada in a letter sent to the Environment Minister. WWF also demanded an immediate stop of polar bear harvesting and development of a Conservation Action Plan.

• developing a continent-leading carbon cap-and-trade system;
• following through with promised protection for vast northern boreal forest;
• cutting use of toxics by 50%;
• powering up renewable energy industry;
• procuring healthy sustainable local food for public institutions;
• creating a coordinated action plan for Great Lakes health;
• making transit work for communities across Ontario.

Green jobs are already springing up as a result of the growing wind energy sector in Ontario. A 44-turbine wind farm opened this past month that will create up to 70 jobs and generate clean electricity for 30,000 households.

The environmental groups will develop a set of environmental actions and policy priorities to aid Ontario in becoming a world leader in green practices and programs.

Peter Love, Ontario CECO, released "Be the change to a culture of conservation" that recommends businesses, health care and academic institutions throughout Ontario appoint an Energy Conservation Officer to champion energy conservation efforts.

Ontario faces some of the toughest energy savings targets in North America. In an effort to reduce Ontario's peak consumption by 6,350 megawatts by 2025, Love is working to engage Ontarians in conserving energy.

The report echo's his 2007 recommendation to have Municipal Energy Conservation Officers (MECO's) in every Ontario community. MECO's are already at work in cities like Toronto and Hamilton, Love recommends 12 additional cities need energy champions.