If the long term international consequences of climate change are not enough to propel the Canadian government into action, Michael Byers, a Political Science professor at UBC, hopes the potential loss of Canadian sovereignty in the arctic will.
Byers has travelled to the Canadian arctic to witness the melting sea ice, a by-product of climate change, and says the government needs to step up their action on climate change.
But John Baird is not listening to the public, academics, or fellow MPs.
The opposition parties slashed through the Conservatives' Clean Air Act this week. In the politically savvy move, the opposition parties gutted the Conservative bill and added strict targets that adhere to Canada's Kyoto obligations, leaving the Conservatives little choice but to watch the new bill pass.
Baird called the move a partisan effort to bring down the Conservatives in the same breath as slagging the Liberals.
“I think this is clearly more about politics than it is about serving the environment. We’ll take a period to look at the entirety of the damage that the Liberals have done and make a call in the future ... I can tell you I’m not happy.”
As the tensions over climate change rise on Parliament Hill, the country creeps closer to an election that is set to be focused on the environment. The hot tempers flaring in Ottawa right now are enough to melt the sea ice in the arctic alone.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Provinces go their own way
The Liberals beat out the autonomous Action democratique du Quebec and the third-placed separatist Parti Quebecois to secure a minority government after a tight three way race in Quebec.
Ironically, some pundits are attributing the Liberal win in part to Harper's loose commitment to federalism. The Conservative plan gives la belle province has the autonomy it has long called for, meaning that the need for parties that focus on the sovereignty issue has diminished.
Quebecers have seized the opportunity to elect a party that focuses on another issue close to their hearts -- the environment.
In Canada's greenest province, the Green party won a significant number of votes and finished second in a handful of ridings.
The success of the Parti Vert in Quebec, and the B.C. government's recent U-turn on the environment signal that the provinces are following through on the climate change issue while the federal government stagnates.
John Baird has promised to unveil mandatory emissions reductions by the end of the month. But March is almost over and we've yet to hear the plan from the Environment Minister.
Its starting to look like autonomous provincial efforts are the country's best hope for action on climate change.
Ironically, some pundits are attributing the Liberal win in part to Harper's loose commitment to federalism. The Conservative plan gives la belle province has the autonomy it has long called for, meaning that the need for parties that focus on the sovereignty issue has diminished.
Quebecers have seized the opportunity to elect a party that focuses on another issue close to their hearts -- the environment.
In Canada's greenest province, the Green party won a significant number of votes and finished second in a handful of ridings.
The success of the Parti Vert in Quebec, and the B.C. government's recent U-turn on the environment signal that the provinces are following through on the climate change issue while the federal government stagnates.
John Baird has promised to unveil mandatory emissions reductions by the end of the month. But March is almost over and we've yet to hear the plan from the Environment Minister.
Its starting to look like autonomous provincial efforts are the country's best hope for action on climate change.
Friday, March 23, 2007
An election environment
Baird is warning Canadian businesses against participating in carbon trading schemes, forbidding them to participate in the international trading system on their own.
The Liberals are accusing Baird of lying to the world about reversing his stance against international carbon trading regimes.
"Either this government is going to allow Canadian companies to trade in carbon credits or not," said Liberal Environment Critic David McGuinty. "In Canada Mr. Baird says international markets don't work, but in Europe he says we're considering participating in them. What's the truth? "
It seems ironic that the Environment Minister is warning against a green initiative. Is it possible that he is trying to garner the affections of pro-business, anti-Kyoto voters in advent of an election?
According to a new poll published in the Globe and Mail, the Conservatives are heading toward a majority in the next election, sitting eight points ahead of the Liberals.
While a majority of Canadians say they would vote for the new Conservative budget, the NDP and the Liberals say they will vote against it, which means the budget could fall and an election might soon be called.
But the Conservatives' brokerage approach to climate change (appealing to environmentalists by promising action and the pro-business, oil and gas voters by not committing to environmental regulations) has been successful given that 39 per cent of Canadians support the Tories.
The Liberals are accusing Baird of lying to the world about reversing his stance against international carbon trading regimes.
"Either this government is going to allow Canadian companies to trade in carbon credits or not," said Liberal Environment Critic David McGuinty. "In Canada Mr. Baird says international markets don't work, but in Europe he says we're considering participating in them. What's the truth? "
It seems ironic that the Environment Minister is warning against a green initiative. Is it possible that he is trying to garner the affections of pro-business, anti-Kyoto voters in advent of an election?
According to a new poll published in the Globe and Mail, the Conservatives are heading toward a majority in the next election, sitting eight points ahead of the Liberals.
While a majority of Canadians say they would vote for the new Conservative budget, the NDP and the Liberals say they will vote against it, which means the budget could fall and an election might soon be called.
But the Conservatives' brokerage approach to climate change (appealing to environmentalists by promising action and the pro-business, oil and gas voters by not committing to environmental regulations) has been successful given that 39 per cent of Canadians support the Tories.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Federal budget lacks green flesh
The Conservatives doled out $4.5 million in environmental spending yesterday in their highly anticipated budget announcement.
The budget made no reference to Kyoto, despite the Tories' formal agreement to honour its obligations in the House last month.
But it made at least some progressive steps toward reducing Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, including:
- up to $2,000 for buying fuel-efficient vehicles
- a levy of up to $4,000 on gas-guzzlers
- $36 million to get old and inefficient cars off the road
- $2 billion over seven years to aid in the production of renewable fuels including ethanol and biodiesel
- $250 million to conserve ecologically important lands
- $417 million for a clean water strategy
But for many environmentalists and opposition critics the budget was another example of the Tories' continued political maneuvering to sidestep putting meaningful, long-term, pro-active solutions in place to fight climate change.
The environment is a central to whether the budget will pass in the House. If it fails there will be another election.
But the Conservatives are positioned well in the polls. And the high spending in this year's budget indicates their desire to appease as many potential voters as possible.
If I was skeptical about the Conservatives' intentions, I would probably conclude that they are poised for an election -- one that is set to be focused on the environment.
The budget made no reference to Kyoto, despite the Tories' formal agreement to honour its obligations in the House last month.
But it made at least some progressive steps toward reducing Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, including:
- up to $2,000 for buying fuel-efficient vehicles
- a levy of up to $4,000 on gas-guzzlers
- $36 million to get old and inefficient cars off the road
- $2 billion over seven years to aid in the production of renewable fuels including ethanol and biodiesel
- $250 million to conserve ecologically important lands
- $417 million for a clean water strategy
But for many environmentalists and opposition critics the budget was another example of the Tories' continued political maneuvering to sidestep putting meaningful, long-term, pro-active solutions in place to fight climate change.
The environment is a central to whether the budget will pass in the House. If it fails there will be another election.
But the Conservatives are positioned well in the polls. And the high spending in this year's budget indicates their desire to appease as many potential voters as possible.
If I was skeptical about the Conservatives' intentions, I would probably conclude that they are poised for an election -- one that is set to be focused on the environment.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The greenest day of the year
People around the world celebrated "greenness" in various ways this weekend.
While St.Patrick's day enthusiasts drank green beer, John Baird met with international environment ministers at a climate change conference in Germany.
Baird dismissed a green plan put forward by Liberal leader Stephane Dion on Friday and promised a tough new climate change plan by the end of the month.
"I think that the kind of initiatives that Canada will roll out are going to be among the toughest in the world for the next five years," Baird said in a teleconference from Potsdam, Germany.
Despite the Canadian government's refusal to participate in an international carbon trading scheme, its inaction was not considered the biggest threat to the global environment by the conference's attendees.
Instead, a consensus emerged among the G8 countries that the U.S. was to blame for not taking up it role as global leader on the climate change issue and the Conservatives can celebrate upholding their green facade.
While St.Patrick's day enthusiasts drank green beer, John Baird met with international environment ministers at a climate change conference in Germany.
Baird dismissed a green plan put forward by Liberal leader Stephane Dion on Friday and promised a tough new climate change plan by the end of the month.
"I think that the kind of initiatives that Canada will roll out are going to be among the toughest in the world for the next five years," Baird said in a teleconference from Potsdam, Germany.
Despite the Canadian government's refusal to participate in an international carbon trading scheme, its inaction was not considered the biggest threat to the global environment by the conference's attendees.
Instead, a consensus emerged among the G8 countries that the U.S. was to blame for not taking up it role as global leader on the climate change issue and the Conservatives can celebrate upholding their green facade.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The greening international environment
Today, Stephen Harper doled out another $200 million to B.C. as part of his EcoTrust fund, which allows each province to invest in green research and technologies.
While Harper is happy giving out the green at home, this weekend his commitment to going green will be tested internationally when John Baird joins Environment Ministers from around the world at a G8 climate change conference in Germany.
Last week, European countries proposed bold new measures to combat climate change, including a binding target for renewable sources to make up a fifth of EU energy use by 2020.
The much greener European nations are set to ask Canada to join the international carbon market, in which companies buy carbon credits when they exceed their emission targets.
Canadian environmentalists hope that the government will use this conference to prove that by ousting Rona Ambrose and replacing her with Baird, the Canadian government is ready to lead the world on the climate change issue again.
But yesterday Eric Richer, a spokesman for Mr. Baird, suggested the Conservatives will remain firm on their stance against joining the international carbon market.
And the EU is intent on inheriting the role of leader, according to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
"We can say to the rest of the world, Europe is taking the lead. You should join us fighting climate change," he told reporters.
While Harper is happy giving out the green at home, this weekend his commitment to going green will be tested internationally when John Baird joins Environment Ministers from around the world at a G8 climate change conference in Germany.
Last week, European countries proposed bold new measures to combat climate change, including a binding target for renewable sources to make up a fifth of EU energy use by 2020.
The much greener European nations are set to ask Canada to join the international carbon market, in which companies buy carbon credits when they exceed their emission targets.
Canadian environmentalists hope that the government will use this conference to prove that by ousting Rona Ambrose and replacing her with Baird, the Canadian government is ready to lead the world on the climate change issue again.
But yesterday Eric Richer, a spokesman for Mr. Baird, suggested the Conservatives will remain firm on their stance against joining the international carbon market.
And the EU is intent on inheriting the role of leader, according to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.
"We can say to the rest of the world, Europe is taking the lead. You should join us fighting climate change," he told reporters.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Striking the green balance
Last week Liberal leader Stephane Dion embarked on his green tour of Canada and now Stephen Harper is following suit.
His tour ended in the oil rich province of Alberta where he announced he was doling out $156-million to the Alberta government to explore business-friendly ways to deal with greenhouse gas emissions.
He earmarked part of the money to explore carbon capture techniques, which sounds promising, but the exploration sidesteps the need for industries to take concrete measures to reduce emissions.
Most plans for carbon sequestration involve liquefying the gas and pumping it underground, which is an energy intensive procedure. While this technique is possible, many experts see it as prohibitively expensive because gases like carbon dioxide are difficult to store.
"All Canadians are looking for a balance between economic growth and environmental protection," said Mr. Harper. "Finding that balance is a fundamental challenge of our times."
But Harper's plan may carry the unintended consequence of irking both sides of the Kyoto debate because it doesn't actually reduce greenhouse emissions and the money could be wasted if the committee finds that the costs of carbon capture outweigh the benefits.
The money is part of $1.5-billion EcoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change fund, but it will be handed out only if the federal budget, which is being tabled on March 19, passes.
Meanwhile, the Hill-Times speculated that the budget, and Harper's minority government, will fall, and a new election could be called for as early as May.
His tour ended in the oil rich province of Alberta where he announced he was doling out $156-million to the Alberta government to explore business-friendly ways to deal with greenhouse gas emissions.
He earmarked part of the money to explore carbon capture techniques, which sounds promising, but the exploration sidesteps the need for industries to take concrete measures to reduce emissions.
Most plans for carbon sequestration involve liquefying the gas and pumping it underground, which is an energy intensive procedure. While this technique is possible, many experts see it as prohibitively expensive because gases like carbon dioxide are difficult to store.
"All Canadians are looking for a balance between economic growth and environmental protection," said Mr. Harper. "Finding that balance is a fundamental challenge of our times."
But Harper's plan may carry the unintended consequence of irking both sides of the Kyoto debate because it doesn't actually reduce greenhouse emissions and the money could be wasted if the committee finds that the costs of carbon capture outweigh the benefits.
The money is part of $1.5-billion EcoTrust for Clean Air and Climate Change fund, but it will be handed out only if the federal budget, which is being tabled on March 19, passes.
Meanwhile, the Hill-Times speculated that the budget, and Harper's minority government, will fall, and a new election could be called for as early as May.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Corps go green?
A group of corporate bigwigs announced they are going green yesterday in an attempt to shape Canada's environmental policy.
They want to look at solutions beyond carbon trading systems and carbon taxes in order to focus on short term steps that will not cut into their profit margins.
But this might be the corporate attempt at a green facade in advent of Environment Minister John Baird's expected announcement of so-called soft caps on emissions for industries later this month.
Baird will consult with industry execs to offer them an array of options on how they want to meet the government's reduction targets, which means the big greenhouse gas emitters will probably get their way.
The Canadian Council of Chief Executives, who made the announcement, said that Kyoto's agressive obligations on industries are unattainable (in line with the Conservative criticism of the bill).
A soft cap means there will be voluntary restrictions on Canadian industries that fluctuate year to year depending on profit margins, instead of government enforced regulations as the NDP and environmentalists have suggested.
They want to look at solutions beyond carbon trading systems and carbon taxes in order to focus on short term steps that will not cut into their profit margins.
But this might be the corporate attempt at a green facade in advent of Environment Minister John Baird's expected announcement of so-called soft caps on emissions for industries later this month.
Baird will consult with industry execs to offer them an array of options on how they want to meet the government's reduction targets, which means the big greenhouse gas emitters will probably get their way.
The Canadian Council of Chief Executives, who made the announcement, said that Kyoto's agressive obligations on industries are unattainable (in line with the Conservative criticism of the bill).
A soft cap means there will be voluntary restrictions on Canadian industries that fluctuate year to year depending on profit margins, instead of government enforced regulations as the NDP and environmentalists have suggested.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Who is the greenest of them all?
Liberal leader Stephane Dion began a cross-Canada tour this week to bolster the Grits' green image and expose the Conservative image as a weak facade.
In his recent appearance on The Hour, Dion warned Canadians that the Tories have no climate change plan. Instead, they are trying to win an election by appearing green, he said.
And Liberal environment critic David McGuinty reiterated "I don't think they have a plan. They're making it up as they go along."
The Liberals are pushing the public to see through through the Conservatives' green facade. But the Conservatives are firing back against Dion.
Yesterday in the House, the Conservatives pounced on him for supporting a carbon tax system.
Environment Minister John Baird declared it " the mother of all tax increases."
"A big battle is taking place right within the Liberal Party caucus to bring in a big tax whack called a carbon tax on Canadian families," he said.
The Liberals are updating their environmental policies over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the Conservatives are sticking to their plan of inaction by shooting down plausible methods to implement Kyoto.
In his recent appearance on The Hour, Dion warned Canadians that the Tories have no climate change plan. Instead, they are trying to win an election by appearing green, he said.
And Liberal environment critic David McGuinty reiterated "I don't think they have a plan. They're making it up as they go along."
The Liberals are pushing the public to see through through the Conservatives' green facade. But the Conservatives are firing back against Dion.
Yesterday in the House, the Conservatives pounced on him for supporting a carbon tax system.
Environment Minister John Baird declared it " the mother of all tax increases."
"A big battle is taking place right within the Liberal Party caucus to bring in a big tax whack called a carbon tax on Canadian families," he said.
The Liberals are updating their environmental policies over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the Conservatives are sticking to their plan of inaction by shooting down plausible methods to implement Kyoto.
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