Wednesday, December 05, 2007

On Baird and Bali

So just where does Canada stand in the eyes of the nations now gathered at Bali? Tony Burman at CBC has an interesting perspective:

"Canada is attending the Bali conference not long after two developments placed an uncomfortable spotlight on Canada’s official hypocrisy about how to deal with the devastating effects of global warming.Last week, the UN Development Program severely criticized Canada for its failure to address climate change. It described Canada as an “extreme case” of ‘all talk’ and ‘no action’ and noted that Canadians leave the second largest ‘carbon footprint’ per capita in the world after the United States. According to the UN report, it would require nine planets if everyone on Earth had the same footprint.

According to Environment Minister John Baird, Canada has gone to Bali to push for a “constructive” agreement involving all countries, but it is hard to fathom what credibility Canada has left to achieve this. On this issue — and not only this issue — Canada seems more and more isolated on the world stage.

There have been other positions taken recently on international issues by Canada’s Conservative government that have alarmed some of this country’s allies. In addition to the Commonwealth controversy over climate change, Canada was one of only four countries to vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. It refused to co-sponsor a resolution on a moratorium on the death penalty. There is also still anger throughout the Arab world about Canada’s unqualified support of Israel during its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Even though the U.S. Bush Administration is in its final year and has largely been discredited in many parts of the world because of Iraq, there are increasing signs that Canada is becoming closer to the United States on many key issues.

3 comments:

KURSK said...

Well, considering that during the time of Liberal majorities we were signatories to Kyoto and yet did nothing, and our GHG's went up, i would say we need a solution that benefits Canadians.


I do not want to pay for others to pollute, whilst our treasure is funneled to unregulated third world nations, the vast majority who are not cold weather nations.

I put no stock in Groups that hate the west, and are treating rich western countries as cash cows in their ponzi schemes.

Sorry, but as one liberal cabinet minister has stated, when Canadians find out the real cost of Kyoto they will scream...

We will not be held responsible for short sighted feel good promises made by the liberals, or be beholden to those who stand to profit from appearing green ala Al gore.

Anonymous said...

It seems like the new Australian PM is having at least some second thoughts about Kyoto. From the heraldsun.com.au


Kevin Rudd recoils from climate change pledge

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd last night did an about-face on deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, days after Australia's delegation backed the plan at the climate talks in Bali.

A government representative at the talks this week said Australia backed a 25-40 per cent cut on 1990 emission levels by 2020.

But after warnings it would lead to huge rises in electricity prices, Mr Rudd said the Government would not support the target.

The repudiation of the delegate's position represents the first stumble by the new Government's in its approach to climate change.

Mr Rudd said he supported a longer-term greenhouse emissions cut of 60 per cent of 2000 levels by 2050.

The Mound of Sound said...

Gee Kursk, do you have a day job writing manifestos? "We will not..." Pretty grandiose stuff. I really don't care what you place stock in. Does it matter except to you? Nice name. Did you have to pick something that exploded underwater, taking the lives of all aboard her? Nice touch.