Turning green in the face, but nowhere else
“You hear that Mr. Anderson?... That is the sound of inevitability... It is the sound of your death... Goodbye, Mr. Anderson...”
Sound familiar? Ah yes, it’s from The Matrix, the 1999 sci-fi thriller depicting the destruction of the world at the hands of evil “machines” behind curtains of illusion.
Funny, though, that this Hollywood blockbuster might well have been a transcript of the political falling out between Captain Martin and one former environment guru, Mr. David Anderson...
PM: “Mr. Aaaannnddderrson. We’ve been watching you. Driving around in your little Toyota Prius … how ‘human’ of you, trying to save the environment. You are nothing more than a virus.”
DA: “Woah Paul... I know Kung Fu.”
PM: “I don’t care for your Feng Shui, Mr. Anderson, or composting, for that matter. You cannot win the war with industry.”
You get the idea. And yes, I probably exaggerated a little. But considering that Canada has no active plan to achieve its Kyoto targets – targets that relative to other nations are very high, with deadlines creeping closer ever so quickly -- who knows, maybe this isn’t so far off.
In a recent Canadian Press article (see link below), Anderson smacks the Martin government for bowing to industrial interests when it comes to environmental protections. Specifically, he criticizes the government’s easy stand on the auto industry, where Mr. Anderson’s 2002 plan to cut vehicle emissions by 25% in cooperation with automakers has been slashed in half. To make matters worse, Anderson notes, automakers are lobbying the government for extra funds, essentially threatening to cut jobs and production facilities without public funding incentives. Anderson's response: “Well bugger that.”
Bugger that indeed. It’s time Canada stood up for environmental protection.
What if Canada were to make hybrid engine technology mandatory for every new car coming off the lot? Sounds ridiculous. You can’t tell industry what to do! Wrong again, Agent Smith. It’s about time government told big business what to do… and you know what, it’s worked in the past. Remember leaded fuel? Maybe not, because the government banned that a long time ago, coupled with the introduction of catalytic converters. And by the looks of it, that turned out pretty well.
Realistically, what is the downside to banning non-hybrid combustion engines for personal vehicles? Hybrid car technology is thriving. Toyota can’t produce enough next-generation Priuses to keep up with demand. Are you telling me that’s bad for business?
Everyone would be better off. First, it goes without saying that our air would be cleaner and healthier (which would not only have health benefits, but also positive economic ramifications cutting across all areas of life). Better yet, Canada might just become a bastion for the development of leading-edge green technology, exporting our knowledge across the globe.
We, as a planet, have no choice in the matter -- either we go green or, in a perverse twist of fate, become the latest non-renewable resource. Why not start the revolution right here at home?
...go to link...
posted by G E @ 11:57 p.m.
2 Comments:
Surely if the government and industry were to acknowledge the strong link between the environment and economic growth that population health scientists have been promoting for the last decade, they would be more eager to invest in green solutions. Back in 1974, the Lalonde Report identified the environment as one of the key factors determining the health status of Canadians, more important than, get this, health services. Twenty years later, the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health summarized the results of many studies showing that a healthy population is a major contributor to a vibrant economy. Although some of the economic benefits of a population health approach will accrue in the long term, there are also more immediate and sustainable benefits to be realized. You know it, I know it, and Mr. Anderson knows it, so why are the government and industry so resistant to reaching Kyoto standards?
Innovation through regulation...I agree. Nothing wrong with making sure that big business makes there profits in a way that will benefit society.
Post a Comment
<< Home