Canada criticized at UN climate change summit

Canada continued to be on the receiving end of criticism Monday at the UN climate change summit in Bali, Indonesia, because of its position on the issue.

UN climate chief Yvo de Boer, who met with Environment Minister John Baird Monday, questioned Canada's call for developing nations like China and India to accept binding emissions.

"I personally find it interesting to hear Canada just a little while ago indicating it would not meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol," said de Boer.

"Now (it's) calling on developing countries to take binding reduction targets."

The focus of the conference is to begin negotiations on an international agreement to fight climate change after 2012 -- when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires.

Canada wants the international community to reach a deal by 2009 so that it can be implemented by the time Kyoto expires.

However, Canada is refusing to apply its own binding targets until the big emitters such as the U.S., China, and India do so first.

"We think we need to get all the major emitters on board to ensure that we deliver the goods -- that we get absolute reductions around the world on these harmful greenhouse gases," Baird told CTV's Canada AM on Monday.

So far, the U.S. and China have made it clear that they won't accept binding emission targets.

Baird told The Canadian Press on Sunday that it didn't make sense, for example, to close a coal plant in Ontario and then import more coal power from Michigan.

The end result would be a loss of Canadian jobs and no benefit to the atmosphere, he said.

While Canada is proposing an absolute 20 per cent reduction of Canadian emissions, Baird said without the major emitters any deal will be a failure.

The Tories are proposing a nine-point position paper which calls on all countries to set a pair of targets. The first target is the year in which they plan to stabilize emissions and the second emission target is for 2050.

Canada has 0.4 per cent of the world's population yet produces two per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. It's one of the world's biggest per capita emitters, along with the U.S. and Australia.

Canada and the U.S. emitted about 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per capita in 2004. In comparison, China emitted 3.8 tonnes and India 1.2 tonnes.

McGuinty speaks out

In Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty accused the federal Conservatives of "hindering" the fight against greenhouse gas emissions.

"We shouldn't be dragging our feet. We shouldn't be reluctant. We should be ambitious,'' McGuinty said.

"What Canadians want their government to do is lead on this score, and we're not leading -- we're following. Worse than that, we're hindering.''

In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, McGuinty called for Canada to agree to "deep and absolute emission reductions'' at the conference.

The environment ministers from Quebec and Ontario also urged the federal government Monday to reconsider its position.

"If the U.S. is not willing to sign on does that mean nobody should sign on?'' Ontario's John Gerretsen asked rhetorically, with Quebec's Line Beauchamp by his side.

"We don't like this attitude.''

Climate change initiative

Meanwhile, Baird announced Monday that the government will give $85.9 million over four years to help Canadian communities dealing with the effects of climate change.

As part of the plan, Canada will spend:

$15 million for research to improve climate change scenarios
$14 million for a program to assist Northerners in assessing key vulnerabilities and opportunities for adaptation
$7 million for climate change and health adaptation in northern / Inuit communities
$14.9 million to develop a pilot climate and infectious disease alert and response system to protect the health of Canadians from the impacts associated with a changing climate
$35 million for risk management tools for adaptation and to support the development and implementation of regional programs

The plan replaces one that was shelved by the Conservatives when they first took office. Baird appeared to be caught off guard when asked how the program was different from the former one. He told reporters he'd check on the details.

On Sunday, Canada announced a $7.5 million contribution to the Global Environment Facility's climate-change fund -- set up to assist poor countries in the fight against climate change.

The money is on top of the $158 million Canada is spending over four years on the GEF, including $13.5 million on its climate fund.

With files from The Canadian Press

Add New Comment ( )

Sean Calder
said
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Pat_Pending..."the CONs have done nothing on this file except dismantle all the work the previous liberal government had done"

That doesn't exactly amount to a whole lot does it?

To everyone else complaining: What good is it going to do if we halve our emmissions from 660 Million (approx) tons to 330 Million tons, when China and India are throwing BILLIONS of tons into the air? Emissions that are bound to rise. Anything we do will be wiped out by these two "developing countries" as their emissions are allowed to grow unchecked because they're allowed to be exempt.

How stupid that people don't want to curb the emissions there.

Michael (Ottawa)
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Pat_Pending:

The Liebrals did NOTHING on the environment file.

They flapped their jaws, made promises, went to conferences, made much to do about nothing and in the end it was on their watch when GHG increased in Canada by 35%. Shame on the Liebrals.

Ken Moffatt
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At least prarie provinces will get their share of the ocean.

Frank Buchan
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I finally see the light after reading this nonsense from Bali. We should start closing industries now. In fact, we should stop producing oil and gas, heating our homes, driving anywhere -- and we should stop eating, too. Obviously, "per capita," we are the problem, so the sooner we fade away the better.

As a Conservative supporter (I must therefore be stupid, right?), what I actually find disgusting is that self-proclaimed environmentalists are willing to give a pass to China and India (not so much the USA, of course). For years they barked that the collective problem was "global" pollution, and now apparently it is not actually global at all? If we spend even a dime and lose even one job in the next ten years to cut emissions, while China increases emissions, we deserve to have the word "idiot" branded on our foreheads. All this horse-flop about per capita is misleading, mindless gibberish. The problem is aggregate in nature, and that means as long as any emitter is increasing, the decreases elsewhere become irrelevant. The gross total emissions need to be curbed and then reduced, and that requires cooperation and adherence by all polluters.

Having made clear how dumb I must be, being a Conservative and all, let me add a few startling facts:

I (and most folks like me) would gladly work at an individual level to curb pollution of all kinds, but since it will cost me to do that, give me my money back by lowering my taxes, or give me credits for the effort I'm making. In other words, make it as close to cost-neutral as possible and individuals will start doing the right thing. (I already recycle, drive only when required, use less water, keep my thermostat down, and complain loudly about over-packaging, lack of product quality, etc. I would do more, but its too cold here right now to live in a cardboard fort on my lawn.)

Canada is a big place, and one of the cleanest nations in the world. (Try visiting a few others and you quickly learn how true that is.) But that doesn't mean we don't need to clean up our act. We need to advance science to find alternatives, and embrace change, but we need to be realistic about the time required to change people. The shrill doomsayers are doing nothing productive but pad the wallet of their cause. It took decades and centuries to get into this mess, and will take as long to get out. Running blindly forward is the surest way to trip and fall.

The final startling fact is this: politically, no one has clean hands in this, but the problem isn't the government, it's the population. How much are the Canadian people willing to change individually? Until we make those changes, no government will act because they know they will fail, It's why the Liberals didn't act after signing Koyoto, and why the Conservatives are being stubbornly cautious. At least the current crop of career politicans in power haven't outright lied and signed an international deal, then sat on their hands.

Now I have to return to my self-flaggetaion, because I almost forgot for a moment that Canada is the world's worst polluter, and I am therefore evil.

Mark - Fort Erie Ont.
said
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I agree with td. The Canadian media seems to have choosen a side, and is making news, not reporting the news. Makes me wonder what else the media is making up as they go along....? I find myself, now more and more, having to read/watch five or six different sources to find out what the true news is. A little frustrating, and eye opening.

retep
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I have an idea . . . Why not give the climate-change file to the polling firmes? Oh!! I forgot what the PM thinks about polling: To the government's credit, the Conservatives have been regularly posting public opinion research online - although some studies, such as a $117,000 report commissioned by the Privy Council Office on ethnic outreach and discovered only through an Access to Information request, appear to have fallen through the cracks.

But the sheer volume of polling and focus group testing is an embarrassment for a prime minister who once claimed to be above opinion pandering. Wow!! can you imagine that!

RRO
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The problem with all these comments is they all single out the Conervative government.
These problems have developed over decades, under Liberals and Conservatives alike.
Most Canadians are still not willing to do their part to fight climate change.
They want to save the environment, but if the government implemented the measures being proposed and we started losing jobs the public would complain some more.
Baird's proposal makes sense, we need major emitters like China India and the US to sign on before we are going to get any REAL progress.
The UN never wants binding resolutions on the third world because it is controlled by the third world. Which is why their is no action on Darfur, Human Rights or any other major problem.
IT always comes down to the first world giving them a cash handout.

Rob Z
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While it's true that we cannot obtain material results without the participation of the United States and emerging powers such as China and India; this does not give the Conservatives a valid excuse to not do its part. And for those who support Dion and the Liberals, wake up! They had 13 years to act on this and during that time, emmissions rose by 35% instead of decreasing as they promised. Ah, if only Canadians would wake up and start voting NDP for a change, maybe Canadians will finally see results.

Eric
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Ahahaha, it -always- cracks me up when the blatent partisan liberals come out in force. I mean, what does shouting CONs over and over again really prove 'cept your own inability to grasp politics?

It's just funny that the Conservatives are repeatedly called the CONs or the CONservatives, yet it's Liberal party members and 'friends' that are going to prison over the Sponsership Scandal (though not nearly enough of 'em)

So if you're going to be a baby and shout CONs in a pathetic attempt at pretending you have an opinion, please, have an opinion, not a grade school name-calling tantrum.

Dave
said
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Can we not lead by example and demonstrate to the rest of the world that something can be done. It doesnt have to be rocket- science.

Robert
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$85.9 million.. evidence that NOT dealing with climate change is what will hurt our economy.

Edb
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Way to keep up the fight against the globalists! Don't back down. Not 1 penny of my tax dollars to help tin pot dictators in "developing" economies.
The collective psychosis of Liberals and assorted silver spoon lefties is amazing. Tell us, how do you intend to gas up your Volvo once you've group hugged us into the stone age.

Layton
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I hate to sound like I'm siding with the (eeep!) conservatives, but I cannot see how we can consider China and India as the developing world anyway. What do you call a nation with $1.4 trillion in cash laying around, nuclear weapons and a space program? It's not us, or Britian, or even the USA it's China. India is a nuclear power I wouldn't say that any democratic nation that chooses a nuclear weapons program over housing and infrastructure should be considered developing. Perhaps these two big guns should be removed from the list of developing world nations. And as always, conserve energy, that will always translate to carbon emission reduction. Lobby for tax shifts to favour efficiency and penalize waste. But as always it starts with each one of us.

K Blake
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Money was cut from the ministry for the very same idea: to prepare for the inevidable. Now this Conservative government is announcing money to look at how to adapt to changing climate. We had a group looking at this and the Conservative government disbanded the group and cut the funding. Could the members of the group have been too enviromental for the Conservatives? Did the Minister put back the same amount he previously removed? If anyone has the answer please let me know.

MRM
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China is the world�s largest polluter next to the U.S. and will move into number one spot next year. India is # 5 and will move into the third place next year (source CTV article of 10 December 2007). Coincidentally they are also the two largest defence spenders in the world next to the U.S. So why should they get a free pass on Kyoto? If they are able to afford a massive military build up which includes nuclear weapons then they can afford to reduce emissions. Another recent CTV article stated that China �has 1.4 trillion dollars in an offshore investment account and is having trouble figuring out what to do with it�� Hey, here�s an idea � how about fighting poverty and climate change in your own country?

They must think we are completely out of our minds to agree to add more costs to our industry so re-locating jobs to their countries looks even more attractive than it does now, all the while with no appreciable global reductions in GHG because they will be ramping up production completely unfettered by any environmental laws. I am glad that we finally have a PM that will stand up for us. Can you imagine if it were Mr Dion or even worse Mr. Layton representing us. Surely they would give the proverbial farm away and get nothing for their trouble but a lot of good people out of work while deceiving the Canadian with people with the illusion that they are doing something positive for climate change.

Robert (Gatineau)
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I think we should not stop discussing. We should have an open dialogue to be aware of all the issues that relate to the environment, including: jobs, mortgages, rivers, lakes, air pollution, climate change, the stock exchange, kids hockey lessons, the Olympics... we all have some kind of interest, young and old, to continue having an open and honest dialogue, without pointing fingers.

jamie j. bourget
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If the Conservatives were to implement a more stringent environmental policy, they'd be booted out of office a la GST & Free Trade scenario. Notice the Liberals did nothing about the environment? However, they'll again reap the benefits of an unpopular Conservative decision and ride it to electoral victory. Dion and his cohorts are scoundrels of the first order.

Jim
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I don't think it matters which government is in power seems to me its the oil companies that are running the country anyway, as long as we can get the illusive oil out of the of ground with lots of profit, forget the environment. The government should be spending money on promoting environmently friendly energy sources like wind or water. Once we start using different energy sources, we can have same standard of living without so much pollution.

Kantaian
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How embarassing it must be to be a Tory supporter these days wih this party making Canada the laughing stock of the world.

Funding to deal with climate change? Is this a joke? What about a real policy to address the issue in our lifetime?

There is no doubt why the Tories do not reflect the views of a majority of Canadians: we do not believe in oil companies and the US making Canadian policy.

Nancy
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Research? !! What a waste of time and money. This is just throwing money away hoping Canadians will feel the Conservatives are doing something about climate change. I really hope Canadians are not that dumb.
If the Government will not take climate change seriously and put effective measures in place, put the money into healthcare or education instead, but this plan is a farse.

Lillian
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Why did Dion not do anything but talk about climate change while in government? The Liberals were in power for 13 years and things got progessively worse. Give your heads a shake. Canada is only a tiny part of the problem. If the U.S., China and India are not on board, our little contribution will mean nothing. Who would be the first to whine when our economy suffers from mandatory targets on emissions? The answer is THE OPPOSITION PARTIES. Let's be practical about this. By the way, has anyone noticed that this is so far the coldest and snowiest winter in 15 years and it's not even officially winter yet?

Pat_Pending
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Well looks like the CONservatives are shafting Canadians again. Since taking office, the CONs have done nothing on this file except dismantle all the work the previous liberal government had done. All the while claiming that its all the "liberals" fault for not doing enough (when they were demanding that they do nothing at all).

Rebecca
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The Global Warming swindle is just meant to bring pricing controls over our needs based economy. Interesting how our government doesn't want us buying Canadian-made electric cars, but for some reason, Transport Canada will not license the cars. Why? And why should Canada pay emissions sin charges to 3rd world countries? What a scam.

Shareen
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hello?!?!this per capita stuff is garbage.It still goes into the air whether it`s ten mil. or ten bil. people doing it. These environmental people can explain to all the people that lose their jobs that they will now support their families. a bit of a balance between economy and environment is important.The canadian people cannot sustain massive job loss and I for one am very tired of paying for other people who don`t work(lazy) now.I come from a middle income family and we work very hard to make a living in a good economy. I can`t imagine our life if the economy went in the toilet, maybe Al Gore could pay my mortgage payment.

Scott
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Dear "Still a proud Canadian".

Let's see how proud you and the other ignorant people like you are when there is no need for an economy anymore, because the world will be in such turmoil that all we will be able to do is try to survive. Let's see how proud you are when your grandchildren say that they wish they could see wildlife in something other than history books. Let's see how proud you are to be a CONservative when the world looks at us with utter shame. You and anyone like you can ignore the facts all you want, but the one thing you are yet to do is back up your pride with anything other than the same lies and hot air that is coming from Baird and Harper.

Rick
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Attention, Attention all environmentalists. I am so tired of the arrogance and shortsightedness shown by so many in this new religion. Consensus among environmental scientists is not proof of man made climate change. Computer models designed by environmental scientists are not proof of man made climate change.

Climate change has been going on ever since the world began. Any of the true scientific studies that I have seen indicate that man�s influence on climate change is miniscule at best. I do not understand why these environmentalists are trying to stop something that has been naturally occurring for millions of years and will undoubtedly continue, regardless of what actions man takes. I am very concerned that these attempts to stop this natural process may have very dire consequences for our planet.

Instead of trying to stop something that we should not and can not, we should be putting our recourses into reacting to climate change. In this regard environmentalists are completely misguided. I to am concerned about the environment, but I�d rather see us cleaning up polluted air, land, rivers and lakes rather than throwing all theses resources at a useless endeavour.

I do understand the most hard line environmentalists are of a younger age set and as such, are very idealistic and easily influenced. A great man once said; �if you�re young and not a liberal you have no heart � if you�re old(er) and not a conservative you have no brain.� HOW TRUE!

Robert (Gatineau)
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Someone made a comment that Canada's government is doing a good job by focusing its energy (no pun intended) on the big emitters and that Canada is but a 'footnote' when considering the larger emitters.

In reality, it is my consumer behaviour, and that of other Canadians, that brought us to this point regarding the climate scenario. Let us stop blaming others and assume our responsibility. In this emotional discussion, I feel like I am in grade school and explaining to the teacher that it was my classmates fault I got into a fit with him.

Let us stand up for what is right. I cannot tell you what is right - it will be counterproductive. I do want to tell you my story, and that is how I can start making real change.

I confess: I am a major polluter - I drive a car too often, I buy pre-wrapped packages and spend time lazing around the house in total comfort. I say I care about the environment, but to really care for my life and for the environment I have to change ME. I cannot wait for others to do it for me. I can't blame someone else for what I do.
I think this is where the Conservative Party becomes difficult to digest. I do not want to be represented by a government that points the finger without assuming its own responsibility.

We have lost our way, because we are putting higher value on economics than on human life. aving worked in the environment field (advocacy, international cooperation, government, NGO and private consulting) I see the issue of environmental sustainability as a lesson in morality. I do not have a solution and I know that pointing fingers does not work. I also know that if i want to affect change, it as to start with me. Mr. Baird as a hard job, given he is being pulled from all sides. I will not stand by to wait for his options. It is my responsibility and I will make a point of reducing my environmental impacts. Personal motto: Keep it simple!

Fernando
said
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Hmmmmm! What are THEY going to do to help us fight global warming? While we sit in an idling car, 20 cars deep, at Tim Horton's, Starbuck's and insta banks and keep using those handy plastic bags at stores; let's continue to ponder our crisis! It will take generations to reach the level of consciousness needed in order to begin our transformation to a clean and peaceful world. But I say keep at it !

Roger T
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Our Gov't just doesn't get it. Here we are preaching at the conference and it bites us back with the little our country has done to help in anyway. So basically, Mr. Baird went to the conference to summon our own country to get smart and start acting because his speach has failed on demanding the US/China/India to sign the pact. Our country doesn't have a case when we are not achieving or even close on starting on the promises made by our Gov't to help the environment. Give it a rest, do something rather than preaching and rebulking other nations on the issue. We have nothing to show that we are doing what we've promised to do.

GP
said
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This is nothing...chump change. Just another government that has no intention of dealing with this issue.

The idea of waiting to sign on to a deal until everyone else does...how stupid is that. Baird, for now, just stick to Canada and let the rest of the world sort itself out.

JF
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I agree that all emitters, rich and poor need to get on this... I do not accept that major emitters like China and India can now be exempt from targets. At this point it makes no more sense that China can continue as they are doing then if the same were to be said of the USA. It's apparent a developing country will need more time than developed nations but ALL must agree to cuts. It's not a question of whether its fair or not but now its the cold, hard numbers that matter... it's the cummulative GHG levels that must fall. Developing countries now need to look at the possibility that continued climate change may lead to food shortages and, in turn, economic downturn in the long run. Even if countries like Canada were to set the example and agree to make painful GHG cuts the larger developing countries would not take much notice anyway... selfish greed is what's driving all countries and it's that greed - and stupidity - what will inevitably scuttle any possible agreement at Bali. Remember it's the minority weathy in all countries who are really at the controls and it's them who will be able to adapt more quickly anyway... and they know that. The only reason that the Y2K issues were dealt with so effectively before Dec. 31, 1999 is because the wealthy (aka: investors and CEOs) demanded it for fear of liability - fear of financial loss in the near term. Unfortunately with climate change that is not the case. It's long term and sadly, countries will only agree to cut CO2 emissions when forced to as climate disasters - drought and starvation for example - begin full throttle. We live in a capitalistic society that is simply environmentally unsustainable - a fact most educated people now realize but will never/cannot admit to - and it will not change until forced to. Worse is that once the real pain begins its probably too late anyway, esp. for the poorest people in those same countries who did'nt want cuts originally. Climate change itself will takes decades to slow as the momentum has already built up. Many scientists privately know this but are staying quiet as not to sabotage any optimism left at Bali. What happens in the next few days there will likely decide future history.. if you can believe the climate change already in progress has not determined much of history already anyway. Despite the enormity of that fact, I honestly believe the best we can hope for is an agreement that will save a few rainforests which are needed to soak up some of that excess CO2 anyway... but even that goal I have doubt is achievable within the incompetent, even corrupt, international political system we have. This really spells tragedy for our children and grandchildren.

But then again without hope there can be no future so lets be naive and hope for a miracle anyway!!!

V. Shantora
said
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Sad!! They are not prepared to do anything about the problem so they create a handout program to communities to 'adapt'.

Vic

Layton
said
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I personally don't think that any political party can take responsibility for implementing any solutions for climate change. Emissions in Canada are up, regardless of who is in power. And yes what is being proposed probably is too little too late. But today I changed some fluorescent bulbs, and tomorrow I'll wrap the hot water heater. Because I'm doing something. I like the comment about the life jackets for every Canadian but the sad truth is 86 mil wouldn't by a set of water wings for each Canadian, made in China not withstanding. No its time to start reducing taxes on green products, time to turn our closing pulp mills into ethanol producing Biorefineries. Time to heft gas guzzler taxes, ban incandescent bulbs, and use cloth grocery bags. Time to conserve. And until someone starts listening and making these changes all the negotiations in the world won't reduce so much as one ounce of carbon.

GW
said
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You know it�s not like our Federal government is a dictatorship and controls all our lives and businesses to an extent that they can just put a few laws in place and everything will be fixed. If Baird and Harper imposed strict target laws on our businesses without the other big guys following suit we�d be at a serious disadvantage and unemployment would increase. Then everyone would be winning because they can�t buy Christmas presents and what a lousy jog the Conservatives are doing. Our economy has to be part of the equation and any political party would have the same problem of balancing the need for change and need for economic stability.

Regardless of what happens here our government will still make significant progress reducing CO2�s but I now realize that the only way the world wide situation is going to actually improve is to get the big emitters get on board and our government yes our Conservative government is doing the dirty work of leading this effort.

Roch
said
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The knee-jerk complainers will complain no matter what the positive impact is on a decision made by Canada's Government.

The fact is, this is fantastic new CONCRETE ACTION towards mitigating effects of climate change.

The main difference between this government and the previous one is, during Liberals reign greenhouse gases increased by 35%.

Liberals talk a lot, commit to lots, but do more harm than good.

It is wonderful to be headed in direction of addressing the issue of climate change with action, rather than Liberal empty platitudes.

John
said
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Our government is doing the smart thing by focusing on the problem i.e. USA, China, Russia and Mexico. Canada is only a footnote and nothing we do will ultimately change or inspire the big polluters, so all you fanatical environmentalists can stop your psychotic doomsday preaching, nobody believes you.
A good suggestion would be to try and solve the root cause of all this environmental damage, has anyone considered over-population a problem? It�s linked to all our environmental problems we are currently facing. All I am saying is we could use some brainstorming instead of signing another foolish Kyoto deal, I am proud to have this Conservative government representing us.

Gerry (Montreal)
said
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Shame on this government. This latest move is insulting beyond words. How desperate the federal government has become.

al
said
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I find it odd that Mr Dion says that we should lead by example, when was he leading by example when he was enviroment minister. Maybe all the parties should come out and say exactly what it will cost to implement Kyoto, bring down the Government and run an election on this, but also be subject to lawsuits if their projections are way off as they always are. While they're at it maybe they could get the Gores and Suzukis of the world to also lead by example rather than do as I say not as I do. One other thing, if we reduce our emissions and China, India and other developing nations don't, the castrophies are going to happen anyway so might as well enjoy life. PS one important factor that seems to always be left out is that people will adapt.

Keith
said
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Instead of comparing Canada on a per capita basis for our seemingly outrageous 2 percent of the earths green house gases maybe compare land mass of the countries involved. How much vegitation does Canada have that uses up carbon dioxide. Canada produces 2 percent where is the other 98 percent coming from if it is on a percapita basis lets get our population up then we could be one of the world leaders in reducing the green house effect. There is more than one way to make numbers say what you want.

Say What
said
0 0

So instead of closing the screen door (or at least starting to close it.) They're going to hand us a fly swatter. Wouldn't those millions of dollars be better spent on alternative energies, technologies, etc. They don't even have to acknowledge global warming, they can pretend it's all for the economic strength of the country.

I'm one of those blind conservative supporters, but I think I just opened my eye lids a crack !

Andrew
said
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I must say this is a first for the Conservatives...doing something that actually might benefit Canadians. I find it interesting though that with something as serious as global warming, 85.9 million dollars isn't a lot of money. I think that out of our massive surpluses we can afford at least a Billion Dollar plan for research and to get the coastal regions prepared for the worst...make an actual effort.

I liked the comment on life jackets earlier because with 32 million people...that should be enough for one life vest per Canadian...wow Harper...I feel safer already

Nathan
said
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I don't know what information the rest of yours is backed off of but global warming is happening, has been for about the past 10,000 years, sure we've sped it up but this is a major change that is GOING to happen, if we stop totally emitting carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide we may slow it, but its coming either way.

Start preparing resources to combat the change! It will be much more effective to be ready for the durastic changes to come rather than hoping to stop them by only cutting grass on weekends or whatever silly ideas are imposed.

And for the record, my car won't start because its been -29 for the past two weeks here in winnipeg. As far as I'm concerned the environment is making more of an impact on my car than my car is making on it!

Don
said
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So let's see if I have this straight. The Conservatives aren't going to do anything about climate change but when it all hits the fan, they are willing to pay to treat the effects of climate change.

Bravo Stephen Harper.

There's nothing like closing the barn door after the horse gets out.

Peter Friesen Steinbach MB
said
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Why do I get the feeling that our Gov. is like a hot air balloon when it comes to climate change. I have a gut feeling they are doing just enough so that people will think there is some serious thought behind the noise that is coming off the Hill . . . please tell me I'm wrong

STILL A PROUD CANADIAN
said
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It doesn't matter what the Conservatives do, the LIEberals and their supporters will say it is not enough or it is too late. I am so disgusted with them and never so proud to be a conservative supporter.

shadow
said
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Perhaps they should all read "Stupid to the last Drop" then will it to their grandchildren. When will we learn that without our environment nobody has a place to live, in which case a vibrant economy becomes a moot point.

td
said
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Before all the partisan political comments come out it should be noted that south of the border this is a non-event. Coverage is on Page 11 of the local paper.
Instead of hysteria they mention that UN Climate Chief Yvo de Boer is quoted saying that "reaching a conclusion in even two years is going to be ambitious." Boer goes on to predict that reductions of 25-40% below 1990 levels will not make it into the final document. He does not sound full of panic and does not continually single out Canada like our media would have you believe.
Sensationalizing the antics of the climate fanatics may help sell your product but it does not provide a balanced picture.
Please try and keep some perspective and balance regarding this long process.

Chad G
said
0 0

Great...will they buy us life jackets, too?

This government's unwillingness to meaningfully act on climate change should ethically compel Canadians to withdraw their collective support.

If they're not willing to do something, get out of the way because it's what Canadians want.

Paul
said
0 0

They just keep CON'ING.

Con'd once, never again.

Allan Eizinas
said
0 0

Too little and getting too late.

That Ottawa hot air coming from Harper and Baird is adding to global warming.

Shame, shame, shame!

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I fail to see just what a minister could learn by an on site visit that he couldn't get from people who are actual experts in the various fields of work involved. It is doubtful that he is any sort of nuclear engineer or expert in construction. Just another photo op...

Pugfire

Environment minister visits stricken Fukushima plant

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