Dear Mr. Prime Minister, and all those it may concern,
This is the 23rd letter that I, Amelia Penny-Crocker, have written to you. I made it my mission to write every letter myself, but today I’m stepping out of that mission for a moment. It’s a lot more work than most people might realize to write a letter a week. I’m only 14 and not an expert on anything really except writing, so most letters have required some level of research, sometimes hours of it. This week I’m giving myself a little break and sending you a form letter made by the David Suzuki foundation. As of the moment of writing over 11 000 people have signed this letter on the David Suzuki website. Here is the letter:
Congratulations on being elected. Your leadership is crucial. I’m writing to ask you for decisive action to address the threat of runaway climate change. I urge you to put aside partisan concerns and rise as one Parliament to enact the necessary solutions to reduce our climate risk.
Acting on the climate crisis provides opportunities to diversify our energy resources, ensure the transition to a more sustainable, affordable and just way of life leaves no one behind, and demonstrate that Canadians can help lead the way globally.
Countries that lead will reap rewards in job creation, a stronger, sustainable economy and a more stable climate.
As a concerned citizen, I urge you to:
Listen to the scientists: Strengthen our current 2030 climate target to align with the IPCC 1.5 C scenario recommendations.
Ensure we’re on track to meet our targets: Legislate nearer-term emissions-reduction targets in five-year intervals and provide transparent climate accountability reports to Canadians annually.
Work with Indigenous leadership: Establish full partnerships to develop and deliver Canada’s climate mitigation and adaptation plans, including decisions on revenues from carbon pricing and implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.
Prioritize the transition to clean renewable energy: Enable communities to benefit in terms of jobs, diversification of energy resources and climate protection.
Deliver a just transition for communities and workers: Provide retraining and support for affected workers and ensure low- and modest-income households and vulnerable communities are not negatively impacted and that they share in the opportunities that come with the transition.
Send the right market signals and avoid stranded assets: Eliminate subsidies to the fossil fuel industries by 2021, continue to increase the price on carbon pollution and ensure there is no new expansion of oilsands infrastructure.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We’re counting on you to act with parliamentarians across all parties to address this climate emergency and seize the opportunity to re-imagine a sustainable, thriving, equitable Canada.
Thank you for reading, and expect a letter written by me next week!
I hope you are having a wonderful day!
Amelia Penney-Crocker