It is essential that Canada do its global fair share to prevent a climate crisis.
Climate action is critical and must take precedence over economic development.
We must convince all levels of Canadian governments to introduce and enforce effective regulations to reduce Canada's emissions.
These regulations must include:
renewable electricity
transportation
heating and cooling buildings
carbon pricing and/or regulations to phase out fossil fuels
Seth Klein's recent book 'A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency' asks "both the public and our political leaders today, to reflect on the people who saw us through the Second World War, and to consider who we want to be, as we face down the defining task of our lives".
We must act NOW!
A Good War's main points are that Canada must
Adopt an emergency wartime mindset, prepared to do what it takes to win.
Rally the public at every turn.
Inequality is toxic to social solidarity and mass mobilization.
Embrace economic planning and create the economic institutions needed to get the job done.
Spend what it takes to win.
Leave no one behind.
Reject the straitjacket of neoliberal economic thinking.
Transform government.
Indigenous leadership, culture, and title and rights are central to winning.
Everyone has to do their bit.
This time, human rights must not be sacrificed.
Canada is not an island.
When necessary, real leaders throw out the rule book, and they are the heroes.
Know thine enemy.
Canada is still planning to:
build the Trans Mountain pipeline
build the Coastal GasLink pipeline
firmly back the Keystone XL pipeline
possibly expand the Vista coal mine
Isn't this the height of hypocrisy?