Berlin, 7 March 2013 – Canada’s National Dene Chief Bill Erasmus will be in Berlin this week to bring to Europeans the issues Canadian First Nations communities are facing from uncontrolled tar sands expansion. First Nations representatives and the environmental group Friends of the Earth Europe will be at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest trade show for the travel industry, protesting the destruction of Canada’s natural environment.
“The tar sands is destroying the way of life for many First Nations peoples,” said Chief Erasmus. “The German government must take a strong stand and assign the tar sands its true value of the carbon pollution it creates. “
The European Union will be deciding in coming months on a Fuel Quality Directive that could amount to a de facto ban on tar sands fuel in Europe.
“In Europe, Canada is actively trying to derail EU plans to reduce emissions from fossil fuels yet at the same time it openly solicits visitors at trade shows to come to enjoy its pristine natural environment,” said Darek Urbaniuk, of Friends of the Earth Europe. “It can’t have it both ways.”
What: Media availability for Dene Chief Bill Erasmus and Friends of the Earth Europe’s Darek Urbaniuk
When: March 7-8
Where: ITB Berlin Trade Show
For more information:
Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus, (613)-859-5063
Friends of the Earth Europe’s Darek Urbaniuk , +32 2 893 1021