The Toronto Star’s Editorial Cartoon today sums up some of my recent frustrations with Harper’s [lack of] initiative on climate change and contained enthusiasm (my nice way of saying total apathy and dissent) for acting as a major player on the international stage during COP-15. Stephen Harper, you are one lame, co-dependent, weakling of a leader. Even before Obama committed to attending the summit last Wednesday, he had fully acknowledged his role as commander-in-chief of the most powerful nation in the world and pledged to take on this role through a spirit of cooperation. Talk about a completely different approach from our North American leaders: one epitomizes collaboration and leadership, the other is an embarrassing example of weak leadership and co-dependency. I don’t have to tell you which is which.
While it’s not surprising to most of us that Mr. Harper does not care, it’s unbelievable just how much he has managed to erode our global reputation as trailblazers on a number of fronts, notwithstanding the climate change and environmental files. And so, on Thursday (just like clockwork) Harper announced that he would also be attending the Conference. A very muted response by our Prime Minister to what ought to be and IS considered the most vital (literally) issue of our time, both politically and personally.This would be a prime opportunity to raise his profile, to prove his commitments to climate change action (despite Kyoto being a socialist scheme) and start digging Canada out of this pitiful hole we have plummeted into under this Conservative government.
Alas, we are still playing catch-up, pretending we are just as “cool” as the U.S. We can sound like we’re in the in-crowd as long as we ride on the coat-tails of Barack Obama’s climate action plan. As Don Newman so simply puts it, Canada will do whatever the U.S. will do – the if-your-friend-jumps-off-a-bridge, you-should-too strategy. Real mature Scradley.
His plan is to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the U.S. by 2020 to 17 per cent below what they were in 2005. Other than suggesting a “cap and trade” system, in which polluters could buy and sell emission credits from each other, the details of the Obama plan have been scarce.
However, that proposal fits closely with the approach that the Harper government has been planning to take. And that is the way the Conservative government wants it.
After coming to office as global warming skeptics, the Conservatives now say that Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions will be curbed by 20 per cent from 2006 levels by 2020. And a cap and trade system with the United States is part of their plan, too.
In fact when you come right down to it, whatever the United States wants to do is part of the Canadian plan.
When they were in opposition, the Conservatives resisted Canadian ratification of the Kyoto protocol. They said its adoption would put Canada at a competitive disadvantage with the U.S., because the Bush administration was not going along.
Now, with Obama ready to adopt greenhouse gas standards, the Harper government understands that Canada will have to do the same.
Particularly if U.S. legislators enact penalties on countries with less restrictive regimes — much like some in the EU are threatening to do.
The problem Harper still faces is that imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but it is just barely enough for other participating countries. This is still giving far too much credit to Harper for bringing forth a very superficial climate action plan and intent for legislation. In fact, we’ve impressed our sister-nations so much so that they are seeking our suspension from the commonwealth family!
Harper is fearless. Or should I say more concerned with short term political gains and the Conservative Economic Action Plan. He may be able to ignore calls for action away from home, but could he really give his fellow Canadians the cold shoulder too? Yes. Don’t worry Harper, you have no responsibility to listen to the cries of woe from the very people who elected you to the highest office in the land. Forget about these guys too.
As Jack Layton said today in the House of Commons Question Period, Stephen Harper may as well not go since all we will receive is a slew of Fossil Awards. If only we could be more Quebec.
Recent Comments