Hot Air

And not just carbon dioxide escaping into the atmosphere. Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice takes grave exception to the accountable methodology utilized by the social advocacy group Germanwatch which had recently revealed its findings that placed Canada second-last in climate change policies, in a comparison of countries from around the world. Second-last, Canada! Not to be believed. Or, perhaps, yes.

"I would caution people that simply because one environmental group characterizes the record of the government of Canada in one way, doesn't mean that is reality", claimed Mr. Prentice. Well, perception does play a very large part in how people reach conclusions and it's undeniable that the government of Canada has been dragging its feet on constructing a climate change policy coming anywhere close accomplishing a future of desired results.

Canada has developed a recent and most unfortunate reputation among climate summiteers for interference and back-pedalling on a broad spectrum of climate-related initiatives. Something that the government is acutely aware of, and uncomfortable with, hoping to somehow make amends by moving closer to international standards for reductions in carbon output. We mean well. We like to be liked and respected; who doesn't?

Canada, said Mr. Prentice, addressing the UN climate summit taking place in Poznan, Poland, has every intention of working with other countries for the purpose of diminishing greenhouse gas emissions by fifty percent by 2050. There's one whole lot of comfort in pushing dates as far into the future as possible, for anything can conceivably happen in the space of 40 years.

For one thing, the people doing the promising likely won't be around to be held accountable for anything that ensues that results in failure. On the other hand, given human ingenuity and the scientific-political push to initiate new technologies less burdensome on our environment, who knows what can be accomplished in several decades' time?

Canada urges caution. Most particularly in these perniciously delicate financial times. And to that, just about every country agrees, and is beginning to move toward that position. Let's face it, defending the climate is inconvenient at the best of times, but dreadfully burdensome during economically tight times. We somehow begin to lose our steely resolve in the face of impending beggary.

And it sounds really, really good to state with full confidence: "Canada, like the rest of the world, worries about the health of our planet, and is already living with the impacts of a changing climate. We must bring to these negotiations a sense of urgency and a shared vision for long-term co-operation that places us on the path to a low carbon future.

"And we must ensure that our vision is informed by the best science and also by the traditional knowledge and voices of aboriginal people." Ah, we're giving authority to the traditions within nature of our First Nations people. Seeking legitimacy in our actions, we discover it in stating we're working in tandem with our highly esteemed aboriginals whose wisdom will lead us to the guiding light of unerring vision for the future.

All is not lost, then, there will be a future for humankind upon this Planet, our one and only home. If, as has happened, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expresses his appreciation of Canada's vital role within the United Nations in aiding to turn the relentless tide of global climate change around toward an effective new climate change treaty, then we know we're doing all the right things.

Talking about them, in any event.