In real time chase after the latest story, its sometimes hard to step back and look at the bigger picture. Best way to do is step back in time.
In 1988, back when Peter Mansbridge still had hair and Knowlton Nash was the anchor on CBC, the warning signs about Global Warming have been said publicly from Canada’s Ministry of Environment. Yet after 20+ years little has changed. Under Conservative leadership, in 1992 Canada has signed international treaties promising to clean up its act and under the Liberal leadership in 1997 we signed another international agreement, Kyoto protocol. Yet up to 2005, CO2 emissions have gone up 33% over the Kyoto goal which is 6% bellow the 1990 levels. There are no shortages of treaties that Canada has signed on the environment but our government has yet to take any real action on the matter.
I’ve spoken to someone who works for Environment Canada about this and the response I got was basically: “no one in government is even listening to the alarms that Environment Canada has been reporting for decades.”
As voters, its our job to elect governments that we think will do something about it. So far the Liberal Party, NDP, both US Democratic candidates and US Republican candidates have all said they would implement a cap and trade system which will go a long way in combating climate change. We, the Canadian voters need to remind our leaders about their responsibilities to the environment and call on them to listen to Environment Canada and take action. I join the millions of voters who say, Environment is the #1 issue in any possible election in the months ahead. Climate change and what kind of an impact it will have on everyone, including us, in the not so distant future years of 2030, 2050 and 2070 is what my family talks about at the kitchen table. Climate change has major implications on financial planning, choosing your place of residence, raising kids, health, etc. Just magine what 90% melting of the Arctic by 2030 will to our “fragile” Economy.
The Warning: Canada’s coastal cities at risk, CBC Broadcast Date: Jan. 16, 1988
Warnings Ignored: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2005, according to Environment Canada:
Hmm! I was watching a documentary day before yesterday on National Geographic channel. It was titled Earth Hour. It talked about how our planet Earth is being exploited for its resources and exactly which countries are trying to protect Earth and which aren’t quite up-to-mark. What shocked me most was the fact that when the land in the Arctic was exposed due to Ice melting, many governments like Russia, Canada, America etc. didn’t address global warming. Instead, they sent out their teams to claim the land. OK, so the planet is about to die off and you guys are off to exploit it further? Is there really a NEED for this? Made me think: What happens to the human body if one eats too much instead of being moderate. Well, one gets fat, becomes a potato couch, is usually inactive etc. So eating like all other activities is good but only in MODERATION. How come the government officials keep forgetting this basic principle?