1. Hoax explained. The Yes Men called this morning from Denmark; they're the merry band of anti-globalization and environmental pranksters who wreaked havoc on the Copenhagen climate conference yesterday, badly embarrassing Canada.
Although they are American, they say about five or six Canadian activists were involved in their prank but The Yes Men are refusing to identify them. "They have chosen to remain a bit under the radar," said one of the group members.
Meanwhile, several of The Yes Men called to explain why they targeted Canada yesterday: "We've always kind of grown up looking up to Canada, literally on the map," says Andy Bichlbaum, one of the principals. He is also known as Jacque Servin. (It seems that no one is who they say they are when it comes to this group.)
"We've always thought that Canadians were such nice people and had much better policies that we did - national health care and all that. And this is just a real disappointment for us, energy policy and learning that Canadians' carbon footprint per capita is higher than us." Their prank was aimed at shaming Canada into making changes - they got loads of international attention but it is still not clear whether their prank will result in long-term change.
The Yes Men, meanwhile, were working in concert with a group called the Climate Debt Agents, led by Ugandan student activist Margaret Matembe. Together they sent out fake press releases and videos announcing that Canada had dramatically reduced its greenhouse gas emission targets. The group created authentic-looking websites, placing the Canadian news on these sites. It forced world attention to the fact that the Conservative government's plan is woefully lacking, according to environmentalists.
Environment Minister Jim Prentice and the Canadian delegation were not pleased.
Says Ms. Matembe: "I think Canada is one of the countries that is really being bad at the climate negotiations." It took the group about a week to plan their moves; they say they have "really, really smart people" helping them.
The pranksters, who are staying in Copenhagen until the end of the meetings, are hinting that there is more to come. Says Mr. Bichlbaum: "Canada is one of the worst climate offenders and has a very nice image and in Canada we were shocked to meet a lot of Canadians who were shocked to know that there were tar sands in Alberta, informed, intelligent educated Canadians didn't even know."
They say they have a lot of hope for Canada to, perhaps, lead the way for the developed countries. The fight, of course, is between the rich and poor nations about who should do the heavy lifting when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
As for Ms. Matembe, she is returning to Uganda after this conference, hoping that measures taken in Copenhagen will lead to the "climate debt to be paid." She says this about "people who are suffering."
2. Corridor chatter. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is at the conference reporting to us that Canada is suggesting even weaker targets. "Does not make us look good," she wrote in an email this morning.
However, she said that the Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen is holding a press conference today: "The role of the provinces continues to keep at least some 'bright spots' for Canada."
The provinces, such as Quebec and Ontario, have proposed ambitious reduction targets.
(Photo: The Climate Debt Agents are shown at a mock UN press conference in Copenhagen.)