New Parliament Offers Great Opportunity On Climate And Sustainable Energy
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Editorial by the David Suzuki Foundation
The makeup of the new government in Ottawa offers the best opportunity to advance climate protection Canada has ever seen.
The Bloc Quebecois, Liberals and New Democrats have strong positions supporting Canada’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. The BQ and NDP made sustainable energy central planks in their platforms. While the Conservatives are opposed to the Kyoto Protocol, they have supported renewable energy and have stated their intention to cut subsidies to industry.
To distinguish themselves from the Conservatives, the Liberal Party began stressing the scientific urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and became increasingly vocal about the opportunities for advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency.
All parties – except the Liberals – support fuel efficiency standards for automobiles – one of Canada’s major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. While there is some support for regulation of fuel efficiency in the Liberal Party, the official position favoured voluntary measures.
Voluntary action has been the policy preference of the last decade and has resulted in Canada’s emissions growing more rapidly than those of any other industrial country in the world.
The current parliament offers a great chance to establish an industrial vision based on sustainable production and consumption of energy. This is only option if Canada is to protect our shared climate and the welfare of current and future generations.
Let’s hope the government does not rapidly dissolve because of an inability of Parties to work together on critical issues of common concern. Lets hope our newly elected Members of Parliament are able to cooperate on the opportunities our climate crisis presents.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
@ July 12, 2004