OTTAWA - December 2 - The world is facing climate and economic crises, people are experiencing serious impacts and without urgent action the world is in peril. Mere weeks away from the important climate negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark, world leaders are already warning that urgent action may not come soon. This must change.

The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Labour Congress have produced Green Decent and Public, a report focused on opportunities  for the public sector to play a prominent role in generating good jobs. Green Decent and Public focuses on opportunities  for improving energy efficiency and rapidly expanding electricity  production from renewable resources. Public and community ownership of renewable power is offered as an alternative that has distinct advantages to further market liberalization in the electricity sector. These advantages include retaining economic revenues, maximizing social benefits, prioritizing conservation and ensuring energy security.

The executive summary is available at: www.canadians.org/energy/documents/climatejustice/green-decent-public-exec.pdf The full report is available at: www.canadians.org/energy/documents/climatejustice/green-decent-public.pdf French copy of the executive summary is available at: www.canadians.org/francais/energie/documents/verte-decente-publique-res.pdf

The authors are available for comment.