Prime Minister Stephen Harper's killing of One Tonne Challenge funding challenge raises questions about his Kyoto protocol commitments and environmental stewardship plans, says Lewis Rifkind of the Yukon Conservation Society.

In an interview this morning, Rifkind said he was shocked and surprised to learn through news media that Harper has cut funding to the One Tonne Challenge and for climate change organizations such as the Northern Climate Exchange.

'The way the cuts were done is quite draconian,' Rifkind told the Star.

'How can you ignore the implications of human-induced climate change when nearly every scientist in the world is on board?' he asked.

'It seems to be rather short notice ... I only found out in the Globe and Mail this weekend,' he said.

Late last week, Harper announced his government will no longer be funding the One-Tonne Challenge initiative across the nation.

The One Tonne Challenge is a government awareness-raising program designed to encourage Canadians to reduce the amount of garbage they produce and the amount of greenhouse gases they produce by one tonne.

Harper's government made the decision public last week and ended funding for the program as of this past Saturday.

City councillor Doug Graham said in an interview this morning he also just became aware of the funding cancellations and is very concerned.

Graham said he began asking questions as soon as he heard about the cuts and is looking to assess just what they mean for the Yukon.

'Even if you weren't a real believer in global warming, this (the One Tonne Challenge) was a positive move,' he said.

A representative of the Northern Climate Exchange could not be reached for comment about the funding cancellations.