Canada made history this month by being the first country to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. I understand the Protocol may not have been perfect, but it was certainly a step in the right direction: protecting our planet for our children and grandchildren.
This move by our leaders doesn’t leave us in a positive place in the world. We are getting lots of criticism from other countries, and rightly so. The thing I really don’t understand is the lack of understanding too many Canadians still have about the science behind Global Warming. If you are someone who understands why we so desperately need to change our habits and reduce emissions, please explain it to someone who doesn’t.
Perhaps it’s not that they don’t understand, but that they wish it weren’t so. In order to make the difference we need to make to stop the warming process, most people fear that we would have to set our lives back to a stone age living situation. This isn’t the case. Governments need to implement more green energy projects which can also create lots of jobs. This is already being done in some provinces in Canada, although it’s still too small right now. But we are on the right track, at least in a small way.
Just because the Federal Government won’t cooperate with Kyoto, to make a profit in Oil in the short term, doesn’t necessarily mean that all government takes this stance. It seems that only the Conservative Party of Canada has this view point and many Liberal and Green Party Politicians are fighting for our planet, while the Conservatives are not. The NDP Government of Nova Scotia has implemented a thorough plan to reduce emissions, make the switch from fossil fuels to renewable and green energy sources, protect biodiversity and natural resources which started in 2010. Ontario currently has the second largest photovoltaic power station in Sarnia, producing 97MW.
As for you and me, that’s where we can make the biggest difference. Reduce your own emissions, whether the Government tells you to or not. We all need to do our part. Nobody’s asking you to go back to the stone age. Just make small changes at a time. Drive a little less and walk a little more, you’ll do your heart and your wallet both favours while helping reduce emissions. Aim to make your next car a hybrid. Make your home heating/cooling efficient by sealing leaky windows and doors, and set your thermometers on timers. Take advantage of natural light during the day whenever you can, and turn the lights off when you are not in a room. For scarcely used rooms, such as laundry and basements, consider installing motion sensored lights so they turn off automatically when you leave the room. It also helps not to have to find the switch when you’re lugging your laundry loads in there!
Start small and dream big. Lots of other countries have done it, and we can too. Write letters to your local MPs and ask them what they are doing. After all, if you and I can reduce our carbon footprint, they can too.
