Two of the most dangerous countries on the planet, North Korea, which has nuclear weapons, and Iran, which may achieve that aim shortly, are an extreme danger to world peace.
Meanwhile the U.K., most European Union countries and many other countries around the globe are virtually bankrupt, and the U.S. is in dire financial straits as well.
War-like battles, causing scores of fatalities, are going on in many areas of the globe, including Africa and Asia.
Rather than focusing on these calamities, environmentalists decry Canada’s exit from the failed Kyoto experiment, and would just as soon close down our oil, gas and coal industries.
Canada emits less than two per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions, while the Kyoto Protocol does not even include countries such as the U.S., China and India, which emit over 85 per cent of these same gases. Russia has recently spoken out against the agreement, and if they were to back out, that will greatly increase the percentage emissions of non-participant countries.
China’s emissions have increased exponentially in the last ten years, and with millions of its citizens without electrical power, does even the staunchest environmentalist believe China will, in our lifetime, reduce its emissions?
Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien was patently foolish, without a shred of knowledge of either the plan or its consequences, when he signed the Kyoto Protocol on behalf of Canada. Chrétien did not realize that it was virtually impossible for Canada to achieve its emission targets. The situation today, one can be assured, is precisely the same, since we are now 25 per cent in excess of imposed Kyoto targets.
Had Canada not withdrawn from Kyoto, as Russia and other like-minded countries may soon find, the cost for not meeting Kyoto targets would have been outstandingly excessive. Some have estimated, over a number of years, our cost in either meeting outlandish targets or paying penalties would be in the order of $150 billion and a significant portion of our GDP. Kyoto, without a shadow of doubt, was always a wealth transfer from so-called rich countries to the poor.
And for those who believe Canada, or the provinces, can exist economically by imposing solar, wind and other renewable power sources on its citizens, I suggest they read the latest Ontario auditor general’s report with respect to their “green shift” program. The plan is costing Ontario residents billions of dollars in excess electricity costs, and a loss of valuable jobs. So much for “green” power.
In addition, solar industries around the globe are going bankrupt since no one can afford the vast subsidies they require.
The federal government was correct in withdrawing from Kyoto, and leading a push for a UN mandated global emissions accord involving all countries, in particular countries such as the U.S., Brazil, China and India. We are currently doing our part to reduce emissions, while non-Kyoto countries do nothing.
Canada is a wonderful and generous country, and we are so fortunate to be able to call it home.
Rather than scouring the world and denigrating Canada as a result of our withdrawal from Kyoto, let these high-ranking politicians, pundits and university elites state the facts, and end with the comment: “ I am proud to be a Canadian.” And start supporting our oil, gas and coal industries, the heartland of Canada’s economy.
Put things in perspective. A world-wide nuclear attack or financial meltdown, or vicious uprisings in many parts of the globe, are far more a danger to the globe than our relatively meagre CO2 emissions.
Let’s deal with the real threat to our physical and economic security.
H.J. Rice
Saanich