VICTORIA – New Democrat Leader John Horgan issued the following statement in recognition of Earth Day.

“Forty-five years ago, people came together on the first Earth Day to speak in favour of protecting our environment.  Earth Day today continues to recognize the vital importance of air, land and water, and to remember that the Earth remains the source of our spiritual, social and economic prosperity.

“It’s also a day to examine our commitment to our children. In 2015, climate change looms as the major challenge facing us for the future.  It demands real engagement, action and commitment. The future of our way of life depends on the choices we make today and in the years to come.

“Sadly, in B.C. this government has demonstrated little of the commitment needed and is actually backing away from real engagement and action. Since Premier Christy Clark took power, British Columbia’s emissions have actually risen each year and every year, according to the federal government’s National Inventory Report released on Friday.

“By law – a law brought in by a Liberal government – B.C. needs to reduce climate changing emissions 33 per cent below 2007 levels by 2020. We’ve made little progress towards meeting that requirement, and Premier Clark and the B.C. Liberals have no plan to get us any closer.

“We have to do better. I want every parent to be able to leave their children a world just as vibrant and prosperous as the one we were given. We can do better and New Democrats are committed to real action and real progress on climate change.”