Youth Forum on Climate Change

Declaration by CEGEP Students - November 23, 2005

A youth forum on climate change was held at the Montréal Science Centre on November 23, 2005. One hundred and forty CEGEP students from Montréal, Valleyfield and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu expressed their opinions and made a commitment to take concrete action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The participants studied the subject before the forum so that they could discuss the issues clearly. In addition, 16 experts attended the event to share their expertise on the science of climate change, likely scenarios, the Kyoto Protocol and the economic issues. They then debated whether we should be forced to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Two experts, Steven Guilbeault, from Greenpeace, and Pierre Desrochers, from the Montreal Economic Institute, with two almost opposing viewpoints, opened the debate, giving rise to lively, constructive exchanges among audience members.

To follow up on the debate and take concrete action, the students drafted a declaration on climate change, stating what they are prepared to do in order to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and what they expect of politicians.

The result of this citizen action is presented here in the form of a declaration setting out their commitments and expectations. On the eve of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in Montréal starting on November 28, 2005, this was a very meaningful initiative on the students' part.