The Environment vs The Economy

This should have been the climate change election. Instead we have entrenched the idea that the economy and the environment are mutually exclusive -- enemies of each other -- and support for the environment is support for economic ruin. This is thinking that belongs in the era of the caveman rather than in the 21st century -- environmental troglodytes...wait, the environment was pristine back then....hmmmm... I know, This thinking belongs to the era of the industrial revolution robber baron rather than the 21st century -- environmental robber barons.

Canada, as a country, is mature enough to begin honest discussion about the need to change our consumption patterns and societal behaviours, and work to repair our planet. I am past the point of arguing whether climate change is a fact, anyone who does not believe the mountains (and cataclysmic deluges) of evidence is not only a fool, but a fool of historic proportions. There are no ands, ifs or buts about it; and the historic fools are lead by the king of all fools, the person who argues against climate change, "because someone needs to be the devil's advocate." Jackass. Go sit in the corner, we'll let you out when we can all breath again.

This election wasn't about climate change and the environment, it wasn't really about anything, and it certainly didn't have any impact on where Canada needs to go with regard to our planetary obligations to be better world citizens.

Sure the Green Party is all about climate change, and Elizabeth May offered the most rousing leadership performance of this election, but they really aren't in the position of forming a government - or really even electing an MP.

The NDP, talk about being Green, but we all know that when it comes down to jobs vs planet, they will always support the jobs and pay lip-service to the planet. It really struck me this election how out of date the NDP has become. They are nothing more than a place for those on the left to park their votes if they don't want to vote Liberal. Too bad too, because with Jack Layton's massive ego, there will be no rationalization of the left.

The Bloc...whatever.

The Liberals became bogged down when they took an intelligent and progressive idea for taxing pollution and decreasing our taxes as an offset, and turned it into a political platform. The platform was not well received by "we wanna win" candidates, and was then unenthusiastically sold to the public. Unfortunately, this very good idea, will fall by the wayside because of political manipulation.

The Conservatives...well what can we say? They have sold out the environment at every step of their mandate, while undermining Canada's clean and fresh image on the world stage. The Conservatives, along with their buddies the Republicans, lead the campaign of the ignorant by blocking every attempt by world leaders to initiate change. King Stephen and Jittery John Baird, were pathetic in their defense of their obstruction, saying they were looking for more concrete targets. No one believes you, no one believes you care about the environment. King Stephen only cares about grasping and holding power...my precious.

For some strange reason I was watching the US presidential debate moderated by Tom Brokaw, when all of a sudden Tom asked a question that was both simplistic and staggering in it's scope. "To affect advancement in climate change through new technologies, should the US undertake an initiative on the scale of the Manhattan Project or fund thousands of garage entrepreneurs?" This is of course in reference to the national undertaking during World War II that created the atom bomb, and the invention of the personal computer by a couple of college students in Bill Gates parent's garage. Neither candidate actually answered the question, because neither one had actually considered what it will take to change the world, outside of their being elected and being carried to the office of President on the shoulders of glowing angels from heaven.

I was in Germany two years ago and was involved in a eye opening presentation about advances in solar technology. What was most interesting, is how matter of factly this private company was in discussing their investments and their desire to capture the market. There was no hand wringing about whether the technology would work, it was about how fast they could get it into production and whether they could beat the competition to market. In North America we still think about the solar technology of the 1980's, while criticizing the current technology based on our experiences without outdoor solar lamps bought at Canadian Tire for $29.99..."See how cool my solar lamps are. Really adds something to the garden, dontcha think?"

The leadership I would like to have seen this election, would have been a plan to initiate an environmental Manhattan Project, and to offer assistance to the entrepreneur to make a difference. At the same time the government would embark on a program of behaviour modification for the public through education, incentives, and tax relief. Is that too much to ask for? HA! OK, it is, but I can still dream.