Wednesday, December 14, 2005
It's all American's fault...
...At least the Americans' shameful foot-dragging did not bring the entire process to a complete halt, and for this the other industrialized countries, chiefly Britain and Canada, deserve considerable praise. It cannot be easy for America's competitors to move forward with costly steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while the United States refuses to carry its share of the load. Nevertheless, the Europeans and other signatories to the 1997 treaty limiting greenhouse gas emissions promised to work toward new and more ambitious targets and timetables when the agreement lapses in 2012.
For its part, the Bush administration deserves only censure. No one expected a miraculous conversion. But given the steadily mounting evidence of the consequences of climate change, one would surely have expected America's negotiators to arrive in Montreal willing to discuss alternatives...
I'm not ashamed, and I'm glad that the Star admits the world is a competition (even against Canada and Britain), and not a kumbaya feel-good party. Britain and Canada might deserve praise, but no one else does, and there's no reason we should disemploy people for treaties that accomplish nothing.
I find this a bit ironical. I've read that Canada signed the protocols without any intention of fulfilling them. Also, I've read that Canada is no prize winner when it comes to pollution. I've found and pasted the article below on that subject. It may not be the original article that I saw, probably not, but it covers the same subject, to whit: that Canada is actually one of the world's worst polluters!
Read on...
Canada Worst Polluter
PoliticsFor years when Canadian politicians, including those at the municipal level, are asked about pollution they immediately blame the Americans. This week Canada's David Suzuki Foundation released a report naming Canada one of the worst polluters in the world. Politicians can no longer ignore their responsibility in improving the environment, they must be made accountable. They have played the blame game for far too long.
News Releases
Canada at bottom of OECD, new report
October 18, 2005
OTTAWA – Canada is one of the worst environmental performers in the industrialized world, according to a comprehensive new report released today by the David Suzuki Foundation.
The Maple Leaf in the OECD: Comparing progress toward sustainability finds Canada ranks 28th out of the 30 member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development based on 29 key environmental indicators. These include: energy consumption, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, pesticide use, and amount of protected areas.
The study was conducted by an independent team of multidisciplinary researchers at Simon Fraser University under the direction of Dr. Thomas Gunton.
"Our research found Canada’s environmental performance to be surprisingly low," says Dr. Gunton. "Canada lags behind in almost every performance indicator."
Canada’s worst showings include: 28th in energy consumption, 26th in greenhouse gas emissions, 29th in water consumption, 27th in sulfur oxides pollution, and 30th in nuclear waste and carbon monoxide. Canada fared better in recycling (ninth) and pesticide use (eighth). Canada did not place first in any of the 29 indicators.
Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are two times higher, and major smog-causing air pollutants are two-to-three times higher than the average for other industrialized countries.
"The ability of other high-income countries, such as Sweden, to achieve much lower levels of pollution shows it can be done," says Dr. Gunton. "There’s no excuse – all it requires is a strong commitment from government."
The study found Canada has shown no improvement over the last decade. Canada’s rank today is the same as it was in 1992: 28th out of 30.
"The Canada we see in this report does not reflect the one we hold in our hearts," says Dr. David Suzuki. "Canadians expect more and they expect better. We should be outraged that we are among the worst in the industrialized world."
Dr. Suzuki called on the federal government to pass a National Sustainability Act, which would require Canada to create a plan on how to reach sustainability. This plan would include clear targets to improve our environmental performance, a timeline and clear accountabilities.
"It is obvious that Canada will not improve its performance unless we enact specific legislation that lays out clear targets and timelines," says Dr. Suzuki. "We are encouraged by stated commitments to sustainability by Prime Minister Martin and Environment Minister Dion, but statements must be followed up with action. We are hopeful the prime minister will take our advice and pass a National Sustainability Act."
According to Dr. Gunton, a National Sustainability Act would provide the necessary legislative framework to ensure Canada does not continue to fall further behind other industrialized countries.
"With Canada’s vast natural resources and knowledge base we should be an environmental superstar," says Dr. Gunton. "All we need now is leadership."
The Maple Leaf in the OECD: Comparing progress toward sustainability is based on a study that evaluated 29 key environmental indicators using the latest data published by the OECD. The study was submitted to a peer review by experts in the private, public and non-governmental sector.
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http://www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/News_Releases/web_of_life10180501.asp
For more information, contact:
Pierre Sadik (Ottawa)
Sustainability Specialist
Tel: (613) 594-5845
Cell: (613) 799-8626
Nice find, Joanne!