On February 19 President Obama visited Canada and met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They announced a new initiative to fight climate change through the development and use of clean energy which is fundamental to the economy, security and the planet.

While the two countries did agree to cooperate on technological research and development, President Obama pointed out that there are ‘no silver bullets’.

Expansion of oil production from the tar sands still has no place in an economy based on clean energy. It also poses an unacceptable risk to the climate. Obama pointed out:

“We are very grateful for the relationship that we have with Canada, and Canada being our largest energy supplier, but I think that increasingly we have to take into account that the issue of climate change and greenhouse gases is something that’s going to have an impact on all of us and as two relatively wealthy countries, it’s important for us to show leadership.”

Read key organizations' statements on the new climate change initiative.