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Greta Thunberg pushes Canada, Norway, on climate before UN Security Council vote

Jun 10, 2020 | 2:04 AM

OTTAWA — Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is urging developing island nations to use the upcoming United Nations Security Council election as leverage to push Canada and Norway to step up their games on climate change.

Thunberg’s global push to get world leaders to take climate change more seriously has made her one of the most recognized climate activists in the world.

This week she is joining with other youth activists and climate scientists in a letter to the UN ambassadors representing small island developing states to urge Canada and Norway to shelve new fossil fuel projects and stop subsidizing oil companies.

More than three dozen of the countries are full UN members and they are all nations Canada is courting in its bid to win a temporary, two-year seat on the prestigious UN body next week.

They are also among the nations most vulnerable to the threats of climate change.

Canada, Norway and Ireland are vying for the two seats available on the Security Council and with most of Europe likely to support their continental compatriots, Canada’s success in the election could depend on the support from small island nations like these.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2020.

The Canadian Press