The Climate Change Performance Index rates the climate protection efforts of the 56 nations that pump 90 per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions into the air.
That is, it ranks the world’s worst polluters.
The US was pegged 55th, just behind Saudi Arabia, the worst emitter on the non-government organization Germanwatch’s list.
Australia ranked 54th.
Canada ranked 53th, the fourth-worst polluter on the list.
At international talks in Bali, Canada is insisting that developing nations be held to binding CO2 targets.
Well, China is one of those developing nations. And it has taken action, moving up four places on the index since last year.
Internally, China is promoting green energy initiatives and insisting that key polluting industries cut energy consumption by 20 per cent.
As a result, its industries are positioned to become more efficient and the nation could pioneer and become a net exporter of new energy technology.
It is now ranked 40th.
India, another developing nation listed among the world’s top polluters has also moved up the list. It is now ranked 5th, up from 9th.
What has Ottawa done?
It won’t adhere to the commitments Canada has made through Kyoto.
In fact, Ottawa has abandoned Kyoto and is working internationally to undermine the protocol.
Canada’s performance on CO2 emissions is so bad that it has slipped two spots on the index from last year.
Last week, a Canadian delegation successfully blocked a Commonwealth initiative to set concrete CO2 emission targets in advance of the Bali conference.
Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has arrived in Bali with an agenda to “balance environmental protection with economic prosperity, be economically realistic and not unduly burden the growth of any single country.”
That is, it has joined with Washington to foil any action on climate change that might curb North America’s lifestyle.
In Bali, Harper’s handpicked team (see related letter this page) has joined forces with Japan to put economic issues ahead of environmental ones.
As well, Japan, with support from Canada, said it is “essential” for the world to move beyond Kyoto.
The suggestion drew sharp criticism, and not just from environmentalists.
China said the Japan/Canada initiative threatened the global protocol.
The Japan/Canada tag team has diverted pressure from Washington, the lone holdout in the Kyoto process.
And so, Canada’s metamorphosis is complete.
We are no longer a nation concerned about climate change.
We are firmly out of the Kyoto camp.
We are now one of three nations dedicated to putting economic needs ahead of the pressing needs of the global community.
Indeed, Harper’s government is behaving as if there is no danger from climate change.
This runs contrary to the scientific evidence.
It runs contrary to the interests of most rejions in the world, except the big oil producers — among them, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Alberta.
Harper’s oil-soaked Canada is a middle power.
It is flexing its muscle.
And, as the world sees it, we are now obstructionist.
One of the bad guys. (RM)
The Climate Change Performance Index rates the climate protection efforts of the 56 nations that pump 90 per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions into the air.
That is, it ranks the world’s worst polluters.
The US was pegged 55th, just behind Saudi Arabia, the worst emitter on the non-government organization Germanwatch’s list.
Australia ranked 54th.
Canada ranked 53th, the fourth-worst polluter on the list.
At international talks in Bali, Canada is insisting that developing nations be held to binding CO2 targets.
Well, China is one of those developing nations. And it has taken action, moving up four places on the index since last year.
Internally, China is promoting green energy initiatives and insisting that key polluting industries cut energy consumption by 20 per cent.
As a result, its industries are positioned to become more efficient and the nation could pioneer and become a net exporter of new energy technology.
It is now ranked 40th.
India, another developing nation listed among the world’s top polluters has also moved up the list. It is now ranked 5th, up from 9th.
What has Ottawa done?
It won’t adhere to the commitments Canada has made through Kyoto.
In fact, Ottawa has abandoned Kyoto and is working internationally to undermine the protocol.
Canada’s performance on CO2 emissions is so bad that it has slipped two spots on the index from last year.
Last week, a Canadian delegation successfully blocked a Commonwealth initiative to set concrete CO2 emission targets in advance of the Bali conference.
Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has arrived in Bali with an agenda to “balance environmental protection with economic prosperity, be economically realistic and not unduly burden the growth of any single country.”
That is, it has joined with Washington to foil any action on climate change that might curb North America’s lifestyle.
In Bali, Harper’s handpicked team (see related letter this page) has joined forces with Japan to put economic issues ahead of environmental ones.
As well, Japan, with support from Canada, said it is “essential” for the world to move beyond Kyoto.
The suggestion drew sharp criticism, and not just from environmentalists.
China said the Japan/Canada initiative threatened the global protocol.
The Japan/Canada tag team has diverted pressure from Washington, the lone holdout in the Kyoto process.
And so, Canada’s metamorphosis is complete.
We are no longer a nation concerned about climate change.
We are firmly out of the Kyoto camp.
We are now one of three nations dedicated to putting economic needs ahead of the pressing needs of the global community.
Indeed, Harper’s government is behaving as if there is no danger from climate change.
This runs contrary to the scientific evidence.
It runs contrary to the interests of most rejions in the world, except the big oil producers — among them, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Alberta.
Harper’s oil-soaked Canada is a middle power.
It is flexing its muscle.
And, as the world sees it, we are now obstructionist.
One of the bad guys. (RM)
THOUGHT CONTROL
Writers 1, Zealots 0
Many Catholics don’t like Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass.
The highly praised book is a fantasy about a 12-year-old girl caught up in a fight between — what else? — good and evil.
It was recently made into a movie, which debuts tonight.
The movie raised the book’s profile. But it is a subtle message in the book that has religious-minded folks’ knickers in a knot.
Oversimplified, Pullman’s story encourages children to be wary of religious dogma and encourages them to keep an open mind. And to love.
In response to such outrageously subversive ideas, Catholic parents across the country have demanded the book be pulled from school shelves.
Calgary and Halton, Ontario, Catholic schools have done so.
Pullman made his point in print.
Zealots have driven it home. (RM)