Case in point. Justin Trudeau is an avowed supporter of bitumen trafficking. It would seem he draws the line of environmental consciousness somewhere between bitumen and asbestos even though high-carbon fossil fuels, not asbestos, could well destroy our civilization and ruin Canada for future generations.
It's not that Trudeau rejects the theory of anthropogenic global warming (or at least he hasn't said as much) but he seems to compartmentalize his dissonance, clearly choosing to block out information about CO2's contribution to global warming when he proclaims his fealty to bitumen.
It's not just the pipelines that are the problem, Justin. It's the energy consumption, GHG emissions and environmental devastation in the production of dilbit and the energy consumption, GHG emissions and environment-wrecking impact of refining, distributing and burning that dirty, synthetic crude.
It's not that Justin is going to come right out and say that he wants Canada to punch above its weight in contributing to the rapid growth in atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions that are already wreaking havoc around the world, especially in our far north. He would never say such a thing but you can infer that intention from his platform. You can't divorce consequences from the policies that trigger them. Can't be done.
The Liberal leader objects to bitumen pipelines strung across northern B.C. that may endanger the livelihoods of tens of thousands and against the wishes of the residents and their communities. He does favour bitumen pipelines crossing central and southern B.C. that may endanger the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands and against the fierce objection of the residents and municipalities representing far more than a million Canadians. Of course that's not so much cognitive dissonance as it is raw, opportunistic hypocrisy.
Justin likes to convey the impression that he's all about values, quite ready to make the tough, moral decisions. I'd like to believe him, you know, but it turns out cognitive dissonance is like a virus and can be highly contagious. If you suspect you've already been infected, go see your doctor.
