December 12: For centuries, Canada has been a country which depends on its’ natural resources. The exploitation of this bounty was foundational for the country. Explorers discovered fish, furs, timber and, later, oil and gas. For decades our economy has depended on hauling things out of the ground or the forests and selling them to the highest bidder. The recent decline the price of dirty oil from Alberta has highlighted the risks in doing so, and once again, governments of all levels are being encouraged to prop up an industry in its’ death throes.
Canada also has a proud history of invention and advancement in fields such as medicine and technology. We are known for things like the Canadarm, the Blackberry phone and Imax films, yet we fail to adequately support innovation and technological innovation with may of our educational programs and financial incentives. As a result, a substantial part of our economy is a “branch plant” of American companies which only have their own interests at heart. The recent news of the GM closure in Oshawa is one case in point.
Yet these are but symptoms of change occurring on a global level: climate change, economic restructuring, and the re-ordering of superpowers are all rapidly evolving. In my view, climate change is the most critical issue that we must face. If we fail there, we all have nothing. And it feels to me very much like we have passed a point of no return for the world as we know it.
Even if we were able to stop CO2 pollution immediately, clean plastics from the oceans tomorrow, and stop destruction of the world’s forests, jungles and species next week, it would still be too late to avoid a catastrophe. Our children, and their children, face a bleak future for which we are responsible, and to which we continue to turn a blind eye. How will we answer when they ask why we did nothing to avoid something that was apparent and growing worse for decades ?
I am astounded at the apparent lack of interest shown by most Canadians, and the virtually complete inaction of our governments and politicians in taking the lead toward a better future. Instead of subsidizing Alberta oil with new rail cars and pipelines, why are we not transitioning away from oil entirely and moving to cleaner technologies developed in our own country ? Instead of wringing our hands over 2500 jobs in Oshawa, and listening to the 19th century clap-trap coming from the unions, why are we not repositioning the economy for the future rather than the age of 4-door, CO2-belching sedans and SUVs ?
An answer comes in a recent quote from David Suzuki : “It’s as if many who are supposed to represent our interests either lack the imagination, foresight and long-term thinking needed to deal with a crisis as massive as human-caused climate disruption, or they have given up and decided short-term economic gain and positive election promises are more important than ensuring we and our children and grandchildren have a viable future. It’s time our governments started representing the interests of citizens over those of the fossil fuel industry.”