TABLE OF CONTENTS STAGE SET FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, MARCHI, WIRTH TELL CGCP SYMPOSIUM READERS WRITE CGCP NOW THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY LAND-USE AND LAND-COVER CHANGES: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADA SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON PROBLEMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT: A RENEWED CANADIAN PRESENCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND HUMAN SECURITY PROJECT STARTS UP GECHS — AN OVERVIEW MONTREAL — GREENHOUSE GAS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES UNDER DEVELOPMENT IMAGES OF A TIGER*: HELP FOR THE ACRONYMICALLY- CHALLENGED CCP INFO THE CANADA COUNTRY STUDY: CLIMATE IMPACTS AND ADAPTATION CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE - HIGHLIGHTS THE EARTH SYSTEM: GEOLOGY LESSONS FOR OUR FUTURE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "ELECTRICITY PRODUTION AND GREENHOUSE GASES : FACTS AND PERSPECTIVES" May 4-7 1997, Montreal, Québec RECENT PUBLICATIONS EVENTS CALENDAR

Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — Highlights Environment Canada The second session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 2) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 8-19 July 1996. The Canadian delegation was headed by Federal Environment Minister Sergio Marchi, and included John A. Fraser, ambassador for the environment and delegates from Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Business Council on National Issues, and the Sierra Club of Canada. COP 2 reviewed the state of negotiations for a protocol or other legal instrument on climate change by COP 3 in late 1997. The Ministerial segment (July 17-19) included ministerial statements, a roundtable, and a contact group charged with drafting a ministerial declaration. Topics for the roundtable included the Second Assessment Report (SAR) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), current commitments, and the Berlin Mandate process. Canadian Efforts In a ministerial statement, Minister Marchi explained Canada's views and efforts with respect to climate change. His presentation dealt with three important elements. First, he stated that "it is Canada's belief that science has spoken in a voice that is loud and clear". Canada supports the findings of the IPCC's SAR and accepts the scientific view that humanity's influence on the global climate system is a dangerous stress on the global ecosystem and has detrimental implications for human health. Marchi informed the Parties that Canada is launching a Country Study (now called the National Climate Impacts Study for Canada, see article by Nicola Mayer) on the impacts of, and adaptations to, climate variability and change; and is conducting regional studies on the effects of climate change. The recently completed Mackenzie Basin Impact Study revealed that changes in climate are already beginning to affect our environment and our way of life, in this case, in the Canadian Arctic. The study concluded that there could be radical alterations to the area's ecosystem in the event of a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. While some uncertainty still exists with respect to the rate and distribution of climate change, "the threat of climate change is real and present". Second, Minister Marchi affirmed that "we must accept the reality that our efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions are not working as well as we had expected". Despite the active national program of initiatives aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, studies indicate that without further measures Canada's greenhouse gas emissions at the turn of the century could be higher than the national commitment to stabilize Canada's greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. For Canada, developing clean technologies, improving energy efficiency, and increasing the use of alternative energy sources will continue to be a public policy priority. Therefore, Canadian efforts to involve all levels of government, industry, environmental organizations, individual communities and Canadians must continue if significant greenhouse gas emission reductions are to be achieved. Finally, Marchi argued that "there is no room for complacency on the issue ... all of us must strengthen our efforts as we work towards a post-2000 protocol or other legally binding instrument at COP 3". To protect our climate for future generations, Marchi emphasized the need for an effective global strategy that would be complemented by strong national and regional actions. Canadian Participation in the Ministerial Drafting of the Geneva Declaration As a COP 2 Bureau member, Canada was asked by the President to chair a ministerial level group consisting of 22 Parties from both developed and developing countries with a view to draft and seek an agreement on a Ministerial Declaration (also referred as the Geneva Declaration). The Declaration sought to endorse the findings of the IPCC and to "accelerate negotiations on the text of a legally binding protocol or other legal instruments to be completed in time for adoption at the third session of the COP". Minister Marchi, as chair of the group, displayed leadership and attention to the concerns of the participants as he attempted to move negotiations forward. While the declaration was not adopted as a COP 2 decision, it was supported by the majority of the Parties. A few countries stated reservations when the Declaration was presented to the body. The President acknowledged the efforts of Minister Marchi and the Parties and annexed the Declaration to COP 2 decisions. This show of support was encouraging and indicated a strong willingness on the part of most Parties, to advance negotiations on climate change. Key Results One of the most significant decisions emerging from COP 2 was the endorsement of the Second Assessment Report of the IPCC. Ministers recognized it as "the most comprehensive and authoritative assessment of the science of climate change, its impacts and response options now available". Also, there was burgeoning support from the Parties, including strong support from the United States and the European Community, for legally binding emission and limitation reduction objectives. Ministers agreed to instruct representatives to accelerate negotiations on the text of this instrument for adoption at the third session of the Conference of the Parties, which will meet in late 1997 in Kyoto, Japan.