Canada’s hosting of negotiations opportunity to take “leadership role”
TORONTO, February 17, 2005 -- Our success in implementing the Kyoto Protocol will depend on public education and increased commitment to sustainable transit solutions in major urban centres such as the GTA, says York University professor Geoff Harris. 
"A renewed and increased commitment to public transit would be an excellent way for our provincial and federal governments to help achieve Kyoto's goals,” says Harris, Director of York University’s Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry.
He emphasizes the need to replace buses and cars with more environmentally friendly solutions, namely subway or light rail routes.
“York University is a major transportation hub in the GTA. Building a clean technology transit connection to York would be a perfect opportunity to help fulfill our commitment under Kyoto, while taking hundreds of polluting diesel buses off the road every day.”
"Of course, it’s a quality of life issue. When we reduce greenhouse gases, we reduce fossil fuel consumption, and that reduces smog. We'll be doing ourselves a favour,” Harris says.
He also cites potential economic benefits stemming from the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.
“Canada’s economy needs to be well-positioned to benefit from supplying clean technology to developing nations. It could open up a huge market for Canada to supply sustainable technology to these countries.
The upcoming round of negotiations, to be held in Montreal, provide what Harris calls an “unprecedented opportunity” for Canada to take a leadership role in the next steps towards sustainable climate change.
He admits that where the public is concerned, raising awareness of the importance of reducing greenhouse gases will be a gradual process.
"In terms of these first steps, it will take some time for the knowledge to seep into our consciousness. But fifty years from now, we'll wonder what all the fuss was about."
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.
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For further information, please contact:
Melissa Hughes, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 x22097/ mehughes@yorku.ca
