Sign the declaration today!

- whereby together all people and groups urgently hold the Yukon and City of Whitehorse governments accountable to the critical Climate Actions below.

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This simple declaration is grounded in the wisdom of framework documents such as the Reconnection Vision,  Climate Shot 2030, Our Clean Future, and others.

Yukon people have been working for years on developing solutions that will inform our actions. Now is the time to act. 

We call upon each of the Yukon government and the City of Whitehorse to:

1. Starting today, treat the climate and ecological emergency as an emergency. Governments have the policy documents, they need to implement them.

• Establish annual, binding carbon budgets based on the current best available science and traditional knowledge.

• Include total emissions in all Yukon figures and targets; include all sectors. Yukon people require aviation, industry, home heating and imported products. We can’t turn a blind eye to calculating the impacts of our needs and choices. No special exemptions – we’re all in this together.

• Report annually, accurately, and transparently on emissions reductions so democratic dialogue can take place to identify our choices for action, and make tough decisions. 

• Respect and learn from Yukon First Nation traditional knowledge keepers. Change our relationship with land, water and our animal neighbours from a resource extraction mindset to recognizing our mutual interdependence. Revitalize decisions and legislation from this perspective.

2. Actively and publicly lobby the federal government to immediately end fossil fuel subsidies and drastically accelerate the economic and social transition from fossil fuels.
 

3. Build resilient communities. A climate emergency means we need resilient systems that focus on the basics to keep us all safe when fires, floods and drought restrict access between Yukon communities and the rest of Canada.

• Invest in renewable energy systems in all Yukon communities and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels.

• Invest in local agriculture and a thriving, regenerative, zero emissions economy that prioritizes local products and jobs. 

• Anticipate and prepare to meet the needs of people displaced by the effects of climate change, within Yukon and newcomers who may need to move here.

• Implement Yukon training programs that result in good, green jobs for any person who wants one. 

• Recognize the grief and mental health impacts of climate change and provide both community and clinical supports to address these impacts.

• Protect water – in rivers, lakes, and drinking water systems – as the basis of life for all Yukon people and creatures. Protect water from current and future polluters and hold them accountable.

• Invest in safe affordable housing for all.

• Accelerate the transition to zero emission buildings.

4. Change the way we get around. Acknowledge that over half of Yukon emissions come from transportation.

• Invest in renewable energy mass transit both within and between Yukon communities to reduce our reliance on fuel-burning personal vehicles, and to increase community safety.

• Encourage use of fuel-efficient vehicles and driving practices.

• Improve infrastructure and education so people feel it is safe, efficient and enjoyable to get around by walking, biking, scooter or wheelchair.

• Improve access to EV charging stations within Yukon along the Alaska highway.

Yukon leaders, politicians, and bureaucrats, we are all close as people in the grocery store and at community events. We see you, and we, the undersigned organizations and individuals, support your decision-making to take meaningful action on these necessary changes in the current climate emergency.