Whoa whoa whoa! Back up the train! Hey, world did you see what happened last year in Montreal? Did it look like Canada was planning on strangling the life out of the Kyoto Protocol at the UN's Conference on Climate Change?

Okay, granted that Canada's elected government may or may not support Kyoto. But there are positive things about the Canadian federal election that might benefit Canada's response to climate change.

Here are the positives:

1. The conservative minority will have to work with the other major Canadian parties, all of whom support honouring our Kyoto commitment.
   
   
2. The fact that Canada currently holds the presidency of the UNFCCC will force the government to weigh in on climate issues early, and with international attention focused on their actions.
   
   At the very least, we'll quickly learn where Canada stands. However, I'm hoping that this pressure will force a progressive approach on climate change and push for viable cuts to our steadily rising emissions.
   
   
3. Finally, in the end we, the Canadian public, have a chance to make ourselves heard. Particularly, as the new government steps into office, we can send a clear message that a majority of the public supports Kyoto and wants to see Canada honour its international commitment!

So that's my optimistic take on Canada and Kyoto. Don't count us out yet?

And don't forget, the United States (under a decidedly anti-Kyoto administration) has done more to cut its greenhouse gas emissions than Canada ever did under the Protocol. Either way you cut it, liberals or conservatives, the simple message is: it's time to get our act together.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference closed early this morning as President Stephan Dion dropped his gavel for the final time on an action plan for the future of the Kyoto Protocol.

It was a dramatic closing session--at least, as far as international negotiations go. With most of the agenda items out of the way, the plenary session adjourned early Friday evening. This was to allow for information negoitations to continue on the one significant item which still remained on the agenda: a decision on Article 3, paragraph 9 of the Kyoto Protocol--the critical section which addresses future emission reduction commitments for parties who have signed on to the Protocol.

A decision on Article 3 paragraph 9 was seen as one of the main outcomes of this conference from the outset. The need for further emission reduction commitments beyond the current deadline of 2012 is necessary to ensure that the Protocol remains binding into the future. Future commitments are also important in order to send a clear message to investors that market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading and the Clean Development Mechanism will provide long-term financial structures beyond the 2012 deadline.

A lot was at stake, so the mood was tense when the plenary finally reconvened nearly nine hours later at 2:30 in the morning. Delegates knew that an attempt to stymie negotiations at this point could seriously compromise the relevance of the Kyoto Protocol.

Initially, it appeared as though these fears might be realised. Russia signalled its opposition to the proposed text, calling for a mechanism of voluntary commitments. Intervening parties were unable to resolve the issue, but there were signs of progress towards a compromise. Sensing an opportuntity to break the stonewall, the President broke the plenary and called a final contact group to address the issue.

After thirty arduous minutes, the plenary reconvened. Visibly exhausted, the President presented a compromise: the Russian intervention could be addressed through separate consultations over the next year. There were no objections. The proposal was gaveled through. Through the plenary, weary delegates rose to their feet and thundered applause.

A process will be initated to discuss further emission reduction commitments. The protocol will have a future!

Luckily, the irony of staging a demonstration against global climate change in frigid, sub-zero temperatures was lost on the 7000 people who attended Saturday's World March in Montreal. The march was held to raise awareness on issues of climate change alongside a two week United Nations Conference on Climate Change currently underway in Montreal.

Pierre Pettigrew, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, bravely marched among protesters, adding his voice to the thousands calling for action on climate change. Members from our youth delegation were invited to march with Mr. Pettigrew, and we followed the mass down to the Guy Favreau complex where the Minister was finally spirited away by his agents.

Personally, I think it was a very sincere gesture from the Minister, and perhaps a positive sign that Canada is serious about pushing for a strong post-Kyoto framework here, despite the fall of the government.

The demonstration seems almost to have catalysed a flurry of activity at the UN Conference this morning, although I'm sure its unrelated. Still, the march over the weekend certainly marked a shift in the momentum of the conference, which is now visibly building in the clogged corridors and meeting rooms of the Palais des Congres.

Amist all of the negotiations happening inside the Palais de Congres, I think its important to showcase a few of the young voices that compose our youth delegation. Today's issue of Tip of the Iceberg, the youth bulletin at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, focused on three diverse perspectives on the frontlines of climate change issues.

Alden Glinert moved to the Florida Keys three years ago and it changed his life. He has grown to love the ocean's natural beauty and the teaming biodiversity it holds. But changes are also occuring in the Florida Keys. "The ocean, my best friend, is now threatened by human action", writes Alden, "how could we let something so beautiful be so vunerable to such careless action?" I'm not sure that anyone at this conference has a proper answer for him.

"Humans have always inhabited two worlds" write Tawo Edom, from Nigeria. "One is the natural world of plants, animals, soil, air, and water...the other is the world of social institutions and artifacts". For Tawo, it is the integration of these two worlds that is at the crux of enduring tensions in our world. Tawo sees energy as a "ingredient for development", but he recognises that there are problems with unreliable supply of petroleum products that Nigeria depends on for power. Instead, Tawo sees renewable energy initiatives as a way to equitably transition to a low-impact, reliable energy future. "We are already taking steps in our own lives and communities to realise our vision", he writes, "we demand that our leaders do the same".

You don't see a lot of the delegates at this conference referencing God almighty as a moral justification for taking action on climate change. But for Keelan Downton, faith and a healthy environment are inextricably linked. "I'm here to bear witness to an understanding of Christian faith that includes care for the environment as a moral imperative", says Keelan. His case is a strong one; on both shared and personal levels, the spiritual is connected with the world that surrounds us.

These are just three of the unique voices of youth at the UN Conference on Climate Change. They've each had different experiences, but all have a similar message of respect for their environment.

This morning I attended a presentation that drove home the issue that Harro was talking about in his post on sustained economic growth.

Right now--this instant--thousands of barrels of oil are entering a pipeline near Fort McMurray en route to Edmonton for refining before distribtion across North America. However, these barrels of oil are fundamentally different from any type of oil anywhere else in the world--they are extracted from tons and tons of earth infused with bitumen tar drawn from a unique deposit known as the Athabascan Oil Sands.

The Oil Sands deposits are being developed at a rapid pace. Sixteen years ahead of expectations, there are now 1 million barrels of oil produced from the oil sands per day. Companies are announcing huge oil sands projects and more are expected into the future.

With all of this Oil Sands Fever, the key question is whether environmental and social issues are expanding at the same pace as economic investment?

This is exactly the question raised by the Pembina Institute at their side event on oil sands development this morning. A website launched this month by the Institute, Oil Sands Watch, showcases the key environmental issues facing continued development.

What are the perils of growth? How do we balance growth against the livelihood of future generations? If our Environment Minister, Stephan Dion, plans to realise his vision of economic growth through sustainability development, these issues cannot remain unaddressed--particularly on the oil sand fields of Fort McMurray.