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Canada still target of pranks, protests
News Articles | Cnews | December 15, 2009
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On Monday, the group made international headlines when it issued a series of fake news releases that suggested Canada had done an about-face on its climate change goals at Copenhagen.
The first fake release, bearing Environment Canada letterhead, stated that instead of a 3% targeted reduction of emissions below 1990 levels, Canada had decided to target a 40 % reduction. That was followed by other releases that indicated major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal had run the story, and by a fake congratulatory release from Uganda, praising Canada’s change of heart.
The fake story was ultimately picked up for a short time by some media outlets before it was exposed as a hoax.
After coming clean as the ones behind the hoax later in the day, The Yes Men held a Twitter Q&A on Tuesday morning, where they hinted they might follow up with more pranks against Canada.
One questioner asked: “Why stop now?” and asked if the group will continue its campaign against Canada’s tar sands.
“Who says we’re stopping?” was the group’s reply.
A transcript of the Associated Press-moderated conversation is now posted on a Facebook page through a host named The Climate Pool, which bills itself as a ‘hub of global discussion on the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.’
Canada has been a common target at the UN talks in Copenhagen, where world leaders are attempting to hammer out a climate change agreement that would follow the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol at the end of 2012.
The Yes Men said they targeted Canada because it ‘abandoned’ the Kyoto Protocol, and because it continues to allow the development of the Alberta tar sands – ‘the most energy-intensive, destructive and polluting oil reserves in the world.’
The group intends to hold a press conference on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in London, England, other environment activists are joining the protests against Canada.
British police reportedly arrested three activists who scaled the Canada High Commission to cut down the Canadian flag.
The men apparently chained themselves to a balcony for about an hour before giving up to authorities.
Tagged with: copenhagen, canada, climate policy, yes men
