This is post one, of many, on “climate change,” and here it goes. We’re all in our own place on climate change, so I hope this doesn’t “insult” anyone, as my post here is simply to keep some new enviro-thoughts in perspective. I locate this post around one of the most central documents BC has ever published about its position on climate change, the BC Climate Change Plan (I’ll call it the BCCCP, from now on). And, my thesis is, that I’m going to critique it from a few standpoints — because I think our readers would just love to talk about this jazz. So, part 1, is as follows:
First off, have you read the the BC Climate Change plan? I ask, first off, as the latest copy is about three years old so you’ve had lots of time. Given what I have to say, take it with a grain of salt, or an air of out-of-datedness as, again, this rag IS about three years old (and judging by publication year, it was drafted over a few years before that)! So, again, what’s it got to say about climates and their changes?
This little article tells us that BC has the “British Columbia currently has the third lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita in Canada”(BCCCP, 9) but it doesn’t say that North America has the highest consumptions of fossil fuels in the world, given our increasing demand for cars, a demand which is growing fastest in North America than anywhere else in the world. In my opinion, and I feel I am not alone, Canada constantly risks further international embarrassment on global warming as we are failing to meet, at a minimum, the European Union’s (EU) recent standards with clear targets (and don’t have it backed by strong legislation).
We have almost always been among the last of the G8 nations to take our environment seriously. Despite the government’s recent attempts to increase its “green” image at home and internationally, Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to soar — whereas Sweden plans to be entirely run on sustainable-energies within the next 10 years!
NOTES: “The government’s position could draw severe criticism at the G8 Summit and relegate Canada once again to last place among western countries when it comes to the environment.”(http://www.wcel.org/whatsnew/#Mar_15).
Many other important air pollutants also include (a) oxides of nitrogen and of (b) sulphur, Volatile (c) organic compounds of various kinds, (d) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, (e) dioxins and (f) furans. Exposure and health effects of these vary by area, and often by season. This is not an exhaustive list.
If you want to speak to professionals working in the environmental-activist capacity, The Sierra Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit law firm advocating for the environment. They advocate in several public interest areas, including air quality issues.
Also, West Coast Environmental Law is another non-profit law firm with subject areas that include air quality litigation and briefs to the government. Their Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund is an important vehicle for activists.
PHOTO CREDIT: HOGBARD’s photostream
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