(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada believe an international accord should be the cornerstone of their federal government's environmental policies, according to a poll by The Strategic Counsel released by CTV and the Globe and Mail. 63 per cent of respondents think Canada should continue to try to keep its Kyoto Protocol commitments, while 30 per cent opt for a "made-in-Canada" plan.

The term global warming refers to an increase of the Earth's average temperature. Some theories say that climate change might be the result of human-generated carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. 83 per cent of respondents believe global warming has the potential to harm the well-being of their children and grandchildren.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Canada is one of more than 150 nations that have ratified the revised agreement, which came into effect in February 2005.

During his time in opposition, current prime minister and Conservative leader Stephen Harper criticized the inclusion of funds for the "fatally flawed" Kyoto Protocol in the federal budget. Harper took over as head of government in February 2006.

On Jan. 4, Harper enacted the first cabinet shuffle of his tenure, creating five junior positions, and switching the roles of eight ministers. John Baird took over as environmental minister from Rona Ambrose, who was put in charge of the intergovernmental affairs portfolio.

On Jan. 26, Baird urged opposition parties to participate in the development of an air pollution and climate change plan, saying, "This issue has been studied to death. I think that there is certainly a desire on our part to move forward and to take realistic concrete action to move the ball forward and we're excited about that."

Polling Data

As you may know, some time ago, Canada agreed to be part of the Kyoto Agreement and committed to reduce greenhouse gases by 2012. The position of the current federal government is that we have fallen so far behind that those goals are unachievable and we now need our own "made-in-Canada" plan. Others have said that we should continue to try to achieve our targets and keep our Kyoto commitments. Which one of these best represents your own view?

Do you believe that global warming has the potential to harm the well-being of your children and grandchildren?

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