TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2006 -- Canada NewsWire

 

World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) is launching a national public engagement campaign today to combat climate change. Unless urgent action is taken to reduce fossil fuel pollution, climate change will have dangerous and irreversible effects on nature and people in Canada and around the world. To tackle climate change at an international, national and local level, WWF-Canada's goal is to raise $2,000,000 by June 2006 and engage Canadians via an interactive website.

The website, www.saveourclimate.ca, offers Canadians practical ways to take action for our planet. The website looks like a pristine Arctic sky but in reality, Canada's Arctic is being devastated by climate change. For a $20 contribution, people can sign their name in our Arctic sky as a personal testament to becoming part of the climate change solution. People can also share our sky with family members and friends by making a donation in their name or forwarding on the strikingly beautiful and realistic Arctic scene.

Among the first people to put names in the sky today are Toronto Mayor David Miller, literary icon, Margaret Atwood, Canadian Idol Judge, Farley Flex, acclaimed author, Graeme Gibson, Olympic Gold Medalist, Adam van Koeverden, as well as President of Bullfrog Power, Tom Heintzman.

"We see the effects of climate change in Toronto every time a smog day is declared or a heat advisory goes out to our citizens," says Mayor Miller. "That's why I'm supporting this important WWF-Canada initiative. I want to do my part to ensure that Torontonians live in a healthy environment".

"Every contribution to WWF-Canada helps fight climate change by demonstrating Canadians are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of an global organization, WWF-Canada is uniquely positioned to work many levels -- at the UN, with federal and provincial governments, business and the public -- to advance sustainable energy solutions", says Julia Langer, Director of WWF-Canada's Global Threats Program.

Raising $2,000,000 will give WWF-Canada the ability to fight climate change by: Dramatically increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption; Increasing production and availability of clean, renewable energy; Preparing key ecosystems and species for some inevitable effects of climate change; and conserving and protecting large, wild forests that help to safeguard against accelerated climate change.

NOTE: Photos are available at http://wwf.ca/media/SaveOurClimate/

SOURCE: World Wildlife Fund Canada

SOURCE: WWF-Canada

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