TORONTO - Federal politicians are used to issuing challenges to one another, often in heated exchanges across the floor of the House of Commons.
But a new campaign will see some of Canada's younger constituents calling the shots by challenging members of Parliament to take action on climate change - once they decide which MP they plan to adopt.
There's no need for anyone to pack their bags: the Adopt-an-MP campaign, organized by the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, won't see elected representatives forced to move house.
Instead, it encourages Canadian youth to select an MP whom they will educate about global warming on an ongoing basis, putting the heat on politicians to take a leadership role in making climate change a top priority on Parliament Hill.
"When we as young people in Canada took a look at the Canadian political system and where Canada was in meeting its Kyoto commitments and in really addressing global warming, we really felt like we were in a crisis,'' said Mike Hudema, action liaison for the coalition.
"We felt in that same spirit that we would try and adopt each of our MPs right across Canada, and try and at least each month give them the love and attention that they need to ensure that we actually have a future in the next generation.'' The campaign, which launched this week, comes at a time when the climate change issue is making international headlines.
Recent findings released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is made up of international scientists, warned that the "warming of the climate system is unequivocal,'' the cause is "very likely'' man-made and will "continue for centuries.'' "An Inconvenient Truth,'' chronicling former U.S. vice-president Al Gore's campaign against global warming, won the Academy Award for best documentary last month.
Youth can sign up to participate at www.ourclimate.ca, where they can search for their local MPs by entering their postal code.
Once individuals have signed up, the coalition will forward a monthly challenge to send to MPs to help determine their commitment to tackling global warming both in their work and in their daily lives.
That includes an assessment of their offices to see if they're using energy-efficient lightbulbs and low-flow toilets, and keeping tabs on their mode of transportation to and from work.
Once findings are submitted towards the end of the month, a tally will be kept online of how MPs are doing, with monthly honours recognizing the best, worst, and most-improved MPs from across the country.
"Really, it's just about having a conversation with your MPs to ensure that they know what we want for our future,'' Hudema said.
Breezing through the program will not be easy. That's because no MP will graduate until Canada has met its commitments to the Kyoto Protocol. Hudema said he would like to see an 80 per cent reduction of 1990 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2050.
While youth are encouraged to take their local MPs under the wings, the coalition will have a top 10 board posted of more high-profile adoptees, including the federal party leaders and environment minister, that individuals are encouraged to adopt in "large numbers,'' Hudema said.
Emily Murray, 21, a third-year pharmacy student at Dalhousie University in Halifax, said before adopting her local MP, New Democrat Alexa McDonough, the climate change issue had always been of interest to her, but one she found "intimidating.'' "I never felt like I was informed enough to make much of a difference,'' she said. "I think the campaign is great because I feel like it gives me a chance to learn." "It gives me a chance to inform myself as well as keeping Alexa up-to-date.'' Murray said McDonough already earns top marks for driving a hybrid car and downgrading to a smaller home.
McDonough said she welcomes the challenges she'll receive as Murray's adoptee, and hopes her fellow MPs follow suit.
"I think it's all part of putting the political pressure on politicians who haven't been willing to take any responsibility for the fact that we're practically (at) the back of the pack on our Kyoto compliance, and we need to deal with it as an urgent priority.'' "It helps to get your attention and makes you realize there's more you need to do.'' Murray is hopeful other young people will sign on to the campaign.
"A lot of people I've talked to that I go to school with are really supportive of what I'm doing, and others have asked how they can get involved.'' "It's a growing issue, and people are starting to come to terms more and more with the fact that they have an obligation to do something about it.''
