Reflections, Observations, and Analyses Pertaining to the Canadian Political Scene
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Some Symptoms Can't Be Ignored
As temperatures continue their worldwide inexorable climb, Think Progress has published some graphics showing the effects of climate change on health. You can read the details and see more readable versions of the graphics here.
As Mr. gore told us long ago, Lorne, we're facing an inconvenient truth. The question is, "Do we have the collective character to deal with the world as it is?"
Our collective inaction up to this point suggests a negative answer, Owen. It will be interesting over the next few days, however, to see how Canadians react to Mr. Trudeau's modest moves on carbon pricing. The right wing is surely ramping up for a full frontal attack. Will Canadians swallow the bait?
We need to appreciate how unambitious Trudeau's proposals really are. His policies are gestural at best. They're based on Harper's emissions targets for which Trudeau & Co. furiously ridiculed old Shifty. This parallels his unambitious, hopelessly inadequate infrastructure programme. Trudeau is sitting on his hands, letting the clock run out.
In fairness it would be a Herculean job to build the level of public support needed to meet these challenges and, like Pandora's Box, you can't open one without accepting a duty to deal with all the others. He doesn't have the strength of character to move Canadians to accept the minimal sacrifice and larger uncertainty of remedial action.
From reading you and other sources, Mound, I was quite struck by how unambitious the starting price for carbon is. However, that will not stop people like Brad Wall from doing everything he can to undermine this pittance of progress. I believe I read something about his prediction of a huge flight of business to the U.S. It is likely that he will use whatever revenues that accrue to his province from the tax to give a tax break, which will surely be self-defeating in both the short and long term.
As Mr. gore told us long ago, Lorne, we're facing an inconvenient truth. The question is, "Do we have the collective character to deal with the world as it is?"
ReplyDeleteOur collective inaction up to this point suggests a negative answer, Owen. It will be interesting over the next few days, however, to see how Canadians react to Mr. Trudeau's modest moves on carbon pricing. The right wing is surely ramping up for a full frontal attack. Will Canadians swallow the bait?
DeleteWe need to appreciate how unambitious Trudeau's proposals really are. His policies are gestural at best. They're based on Harper's emissions targets for which Trudeau & Co. furiously ridiculed old Shifty. This parallels his unambitious, hopelessly inadequate infrastructure programme. Trudeau is sitting on his hands, letting the clock run out.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness it would be a Herculean job to build the level of public support needed to meet these challenges and, like Pandora's Box, you can't open one without accepting a duty to deal with all the others. He doesn't have the strength of character to move Canadians to accept the minimal sacrifice and larger uncertainty of remedial action.
From reading you and other sources, Mound, I was quite struck by how unambitious the starting price for carbon is. However, that will not stop people like Brad Wall from doing everything he can to undermine this pittance of progress. I believe I read something about his prediction of a huge flight of business to the U.S. It is likely that he will use whatever revenues that accrue to his province from the tax to give a tax break, which will surely be self-defeating in both the short and long term.
Delete