Notes from Canada – Good Luck, Earthlings
April 22, 2010 by
Filed under
2010, Blog, Canada, Carbon, Climate Change, Events, Front Page, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gases, Notes from Canada, Ontario, Slideshow
If we don't do something soon to drastically cut carbon emissions, we will find ourselves beyond the tipping point toward climate disaster. Photo: © Don Bayley_iStockPhoto.com
Bob Halstead, known to his followers on Facebook as Paradigm Shift, writes thought-provoking columns about matters of importance not only to his fellow Canadians, but also to citizens of Planet Earth. In this Earth Day post, he urges Canadians to take action, but it isn’t too far a stretch to say that he is urging us all to get off our duffs.
It’s easy to be complacent about climate change policy, letting our governments do the work — or not. But if we do not heed Halstead’s warning, we will find ourselves in deep trouble in no time at all. — Julia Wasson, Publisher
Appearing in Toronto on Earth Day’s Eve, award-winning author and columnist Gwynne Dyer delivered a dire report. Along with Dyer, environmental lawyer and Canada’s Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, shared an urgent message.
May warned that we have about a month to convince the Canadian media to convince the irresponsible Canadian government to put climate change on the agenda of the G20 meeting in Toronto in June 2010, or our great grandkids will not live in a civilised world.
The G20 allows the host nation to set the agenda. In June, the G20 meets in Toronto. Canada’s Prime Minister, arguably representing as much as 35% of Canada, will not put climate change on the G20 agenda for 2010. Canada has one month to make the change that will permit the G20 to act this year as a globally responsible organisation. Good luck, Earthlings.
Our window of opportunity to act effectively just lost 18% of the available time. The global carbon deficit must be zero by 2015 if we are to avoid passing through serious tipping points.
This dilemma would not afflict humanity if Canada entertained genuine democracy, as New Zealand and many of the countries in Europe do. Unfortunately, along with America and Britain, Canada supports a substantial amount of top-down tyranny.
As I write, this is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. What have we done in these years? Humanity cannot afford such brinkmanship, all to protect the reputation of a nation exercising the right to trade a few gallons of dirty oil for a couple of dollars, trade that will happen regardless.
Guest Writer
Blue Planet Green Living (Home Page)
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