Crossroads between action and disaster: Harper’s Approach to Climate Change
More than ever, environmentalism is reaching beyond the marginal framework of the scientific community by unsettling the collective conscience. Our shared beliefs of environmental protection have evolved. New ideas of public health, atmospheric pollution or even biodiversity related to climate change are currently altering the public debate. As we approach a much-anticipated federal election, Canadians will head to the polls and decide between yet another failing conservative government or a prosperous future for generations to come. Although it may seem like an easy decision, many Canadians still need convincing that electing Stephen Harper for a third mandate would be devastating for the environment.
At the height of a global ecological crisis, Canada simply cannot pursue its current trajectory towards catastrophe. That being said, the conservative government has long relied on US. leadership to establish its own carbon emissions reduction plan. However, as our southern neighbors remain on track to achieve their ambitious targets, Canada proves to be incapable of carrying out similar goals. In 2009, the Prime minister committed to cutting emissions up to 80% by 2015. Not having met this objective, with much skepticism, Steven Harper has recently set forth a new target of 30% by 2030. While looking at the European Union’s considerable effort to battle climate change, putting the blame on the provinces for failure to comply with international commitments is utterly inadmissible. Still, the conservative cabinet has no trouble ventilating its so-called international leadership when it comes to addressing climate change. It has become a national embarrassment. The fact is Canada is falling far behind.
Canada is a leader in lower corporate tax rates and environmental law deregulation, not environmental protection. Stephen Harper has failed to build a smarter, cleaner and better country. Instead, he has fuelled a backward dependency to fossil fuels. Big oil companies now make up 30% of the value of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Canada is the 4th largest oil producer in the world and over 20 billion dollars are now generated from tar extraction in Alberta. At what cost? Tar sands emit 82% more greenhouse gases than the combustion of conventional oil. While most industrialized countries are developing renewable energy with great success, Stephen Harper’s Canada is persistently trying to find more sources of unconventional fossil energy for combustion. It is fundamentally obsolete. Yet, this government sees economic growth and environmental stability as conflicting variables. Energy efficiency and innovation for clean energy have been excluded from the latest federal budget. Consequently, the conservatives clearly have no intention of actually reducing Canada’s carbon footprint. Lets face it; there is simply no plan.
Scientists agree with unanimity that climate change is irreversible. This scientific consensus demands a robust change of political and social mindset. Politicians should be forward driven and innovative thinking. Instead, Stephen Harper is digging this country deeper and deeper into pipelandia. The conservatives don’t understand that our decisions today will affect future generations. While the tar sands are filling up government coffers for the time being, it will cost billions of dollars in taxpayers money to clean up the mess this irresponsible industry has caused. The costs of doing nothing to fight climate change will be destructive. Over 100 countries around the globe have acknowledged the importance of dealing with climate change by recognizing their citizens right to a clean and safe environment. Not Canada. For the moment, the Prime minister is relying on empty rhetoric to stall what he calls a premature discussion. Canadians are in dyer need of accountable and responsible governance. Decidedly, all the other opposition parties have a lot more to offer.
