By Hugh Holland
In the September 20, 2022, meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, a very frustrated Secretary-General António Guterres said, “We are gridlocked in colossal global dysfunction,” adding that “our world is in peril — and paralyzed.” Pierre Poilievre’s platform, now or soon to become the Conservative Party’s platform, is not helping. It is full of illogical contradictions.
After 30 years of intense research, the world’s top 2,500 climate scientists in the World Meteorological Society (WMS) have declared the average global temperature is rising much faster than the natural rate, and the rise is caused mainly by human activity, specifically the burning of fossil fuels which still provide 80% of the world’s primary energy. Of course, we can all witness the effects of that in the daily news reports of the rising frequency and severity of very costly droughts, floods, fires, and windstorms around the world. The WMS estimates that we must get to net zero emissions by 2050 to avoid irreversible catastrophic climate change. Climate change can be mitigated, but Poilievre and many of his Conservative colleagues around the world have shown no credible plan to do so, and instead resist all proposals by other parties.
Most of the world’s top economists say an effective tax on carbon is the only way to ensure all segments of the economy are engaged in the mitigation of climate change. Companies cannot manufacture good zero-emission transportation and construction and farming equipment if individuals and companies do not buy them. It must be noted that Canada’s carbon tax is designed to make people think at the point of purchase but is returned every quarter so as not to overburden taxpayers. But apparently, Poilievre knows better, and his main environmental strategy is to cancel Canada’s carbon tax.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) was founded in Davos Switzerland in 1971 to bring together a cross-section of political and business leaders each year to discuss significant issues that impact the world economy. It has no decision-making power but seeks to make recommendations that benefit the world community. Sound like a good idea? The WEF is funded by its members which usually consists of about 2,500 people from 100 nations. At its 2022 meeting, the top issues were identified as climate change, the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of globalization, health technology, and the changing nature of work. All key issues that Canada should have input into. The biggest risk was identified as the failure to act on climate change and the resulting extreme weather.
The Great Reset Initiative is an economic recovery proposal drawn up by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The project was launched in June 2020. Its stated aim was to facilitate rebuilding from the global COVID-19 crisis in a way that prioritizes sustainable development. Sound like a good idea? But the initiative triggered a range of ridiculous conspiracy theories spread by the American far-right and Conservative commentators on social media. Such theories include baseless claims that the COVID-19 pandemic was created by a secret group in order to seize control of the global economy,[1] that lockdown restrictions were deliberately designed to induce economic meltdown,[14] or that a global elite was attempting to abolish private property while using COVID-19 to enslave humanity with vaccines, etc., etc., etc.
In his campaign to lead the Conservative party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre repeated the above baseless claims and vowed he would not allow representatives from Canada to attend the WEF. So, Canada would have no window on, or input to, the WEF. Does that sound like the positive leader or protector of freedom he claims to be?
Poilievre also rails out about the government failing to protect Canada from inflation of food prices, even though it is generally recognized that the underlying causes of food cost inflation are global in nature, specifically climate change shrinking crops, the war in Ukraine, and pandemic’s impact on global supply chains of everything. The fact is that food inflation is a global phenomenon and Canada’s current performance is among the best with a 7% year-over-year increase in Canada compared to 13% in the USA, 10% in Australia, and 8% in the UK.
Since climate change is one major cause of food inflation, Poilievre’s opposition to a carbon tax is inconsistent with his desire to mitigate food inflation.
Poilievre ignores the facts that after 3 years of relatively effective pandemic relief measures, Canada’s Covid-19 death rate is one-third of other similar G7 countries, Canada has the G7’s absolute lowest net debt as a percent of GDP, and Canada is one of only 9 countries with an AAA credit rating. But Poilievre would “remove the gatekeepers” such as the bank of Canada, which no doubt means Mr. Freedom would first create chaos, and then install his own gatekeepers.
In summary, Poilievre’s stated policies are inconsistent with having Canada in the usual position of being a positive and contributing member of the world community in addressing the day’s most pressing problems, especially the mitigation of climate change and all its physical and economic ramifications.
In summary, some key points are worth repeating. There are 3 very good reasons for this energy revolution. And there is still time to mitigate these 3 reasons, provided there is not too much resistance to the needed changes. But fear of the inevitable is emanating from oil and gas producing states and provinces and is a major cause of short-sighted thinking, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and vitriol infecting today’s public discourse. Our federal government can and is helping to turn the energy revolution into a positive force for the oil and gas producing provinces as well as the entire country. Like old energy, each new type of energy has its strengths and weaknesses. But we need them all.
Hugh Holland is a retired engineering and manufacturing executive now living in Huntsville, Ontario.
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Really, is anyone surprised at the PP Conservative perspective? Willful ignorance is unfortunately a response to climate change.
A thoughtful article Mr. Holland. Very sad that all parties cannot tackle climate change Together, as a threat and crisis, instead of distinguishing themselves by ignorance and hope that all this climate change stuff will go away. After witnessing the COVID response from those with eyes closed, it is unfortunately not surprising.
We need to look for where the talent (those with experience, education, and self-awareness) is to be found.
I read these carefully composed comments on whether it will be from a Liberal or Conservative or some other political party’s viewpoint, that the world’s climate problem will be mitigated. Does anyone believe that party politics will provide the solution? If so, that’s sad. And another part of the problem.
Fiona has razed our eastern Maritimes to the tune of an estimated 700 million to 1.2 billion in ‘insured’ losses, while it is suggested that Ian will cost the American south-east, from 100 to 258 billion dollars.
I don’t believe that either of these storms was a card carrying member in, or a supporter of, any political party.
Science says that man’s enterprise, in search of profit, has accelerated the warming of the earth’s atmosphere; the strengthening of weather phenomena is the result. The immediate cost will touch all ordinary citizens, while the big corporations carry foolproof insurance; that being, to off load the increased cost of everything on the people. Even to the poor soul who has just had her or his home demolished. And if the home was destroyed by the wrong type of weather occurrence, as outlined by the insurer, they may not be insured at all.
It will require a total change in the mindset of the people to deal with this. We are told the situation will keep deteriorating as CO2 emissions continue to rise.
Prime Minister Trudeau says a carbon tax is part of the answer, but I’ve paid a lot of taxes along the way and we have still arrived at this critical point.
I have no idea what Poilievre proposes; reject everything, make a lot of noise, but I imagine it will be as nonsensical as any of his predecessors.
I doubt that either of them have altered their life styles much. To reduce their ‘ carbon foot print’. To set examples as leaders.
And all I can offer to those who have lost everything, is sympathy, and assume that the government will help in some way. That the donations we made, will help. There is nothing I can do for those who perished.
Sad to imagine, that some card-carrying (bad word) believes a tax will help!
Sadder still to know that it will take a concerted effort (concerted meaning together and serious) for man to mitigate this problem; even a little bit.
How many people will become impoverished and starve in order to achieve these climate change objectives? Truly this is not our only option a total disregard and assault on a huge segment of the Worlds population.
Who speaks for all the marginalized individuals throughout the world? Their lives are in jeopardy if we continue on this current path. And with all these stats being thrown about none reflect or begin to address the true cost of human life that this climate plan will have.
I want to save the planet as well but I don’t want to kill anyone to achieve a goal no matter how dire the circumstances are.
Brian Tapley, you do have a challenge, but technology is improving every day and I am told by a prominent local HVAC contractor that cold-climate heat pumps are now working well down to minus 30C, and they use about 30 % less energy than conventional propane or electric heat. You might want to try just one. Also, you should be getting a rebate on the carbon tax, so you don’t have to pass it on to your customers. Have you applied?
Bob Slater, for the record I don’t hate Conservatives. In fact, I voted Conservative for most of my life. But I understand that democracy works best when citizens do their homework and vote for the party with the best solutions to the biggest current problems. So far this year, people in Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, Florida, South Carolina, Alaska, Texas, Pakistan, China, California, France, Britain, and BC have all had a nasty taste of what climate change will be doing with increasing frequency and severity. Being retired with an engineering background, I have spent a great deal of time understanding climate change because I don’t want our grandchildren’s governments (mine and yours) to have to spend all their money repairing the aftermath of climate change. Florida’ recent hurricane alone did $65 billion in damage and has been declared the most severe storm ever to hit Florida. I’m sure you saw the pictures. With climate change, everybody wins or everybody losses. Some of your tax dollars will pay to replace homes lost to fires in BC and floods in Newfoundland. Goods coming from Pakistan will now be more expensive.
Climate change can be mitigated but we are running out of time. I am disappointed in the half-hearted response from Conservatives who are siding with the fossil fuel industries. Conservatives and the fossil fuel industries could both benefit from leading with the most sensible solutions. If they do that, I will be happy to vote Conservative again.
It is truly frustrating when people pretend global climate change is not happening everywhere(global means that)We must take responsibility for our choices. Even buying all those avocadoes from Mexico, endangers those beautiful Monarch butterflies( Georgian Bay Biosphere). We need to do what we can to reduce our fossil fuel addiction. The real costs of not doing enough will be paid by young people and your grandchildren. Ask yourself how you can be a helper in the climate change crisis. We have less than ten years to end this fossil fuel party.
IMO ..WOW! You sure hate conservatives .. but .. that is situation normal for you! You failed to say that the mess the world is in is totally due to the left ignoring reality and common sense! David Wexler has made a lot of very good observation about your attitude and hate for the ANYTHING on the other side of the aisle! IE Germany was warned of the disaster they will experience if they continue to rely totally on Russian fossil fuels and look at the situation they are in. A total liberal disaster. Watch what happens when winter comes! The thing I think you totally ignore is the results and consequence of complete elimination of fossil fuels especially the cost and total unrealistic burden on the ‘true’ working class. When rich folks eliminate their private jets and the ruling government parties eliminate all their fossil fuel luxuries ie jets being used for everything and unnecessary transportation across the pond for anything and everything .. I will may have a different opinion! The country needs a change from the disaster the Liberals have created for ALL Canadians and the next election will speak for all Canadians! WE ALL have had enough of Liberal narrative and ideology that liberals want to solve ($$$) all the worlds problems on the back of Canadians! Time to .. just maybe .. give some else a chance to straight out economy, health care, crime, uncontrolled immigration, budgets and spending etc etc and be more concerned about Canadians well being and stop all the taxes that do nothing for us all but allow Liberals to spend on trying to solve all the foreign problems! One of my values has always been charity starts at home .. first!
I run a tourist resort business here in Muskoka. We have been at this site for about 120 years (not me personally thank heavens, but family)
We use a combination of electricity, oil, propane, wood and solar to heat and operate 18 buildings and maintain recreational facilities on about 600 acres.
Quite simply, there are no other options for us.
Things like geothermal are too expensive and heat pumps just don’t yet cut it at -20F very well.
Thus a carbon tax is merely an inconvenient tax I must pay and pass on to my customers as I can’t change my heating systems in a reasonable time at an affordable cost.
Remember, we are renting to tourists, mostly from the GTA so the collective ability of these people to “help” conserve energy seems to be lacking to say the least and their ability to even operate thermostats and windows is far from perfect. Turning them loose with complex, high tech heating and cooling systems appears to me to be fraught with troubles in all aspects.
More and more of them now arrive with electric assisted vehicles so maybe that is a good thing, although the verdict on EV’s is still out when the entire picture is examined.
As for Poilievre, if he really believes the misinformation he is spouting he must have missed a lot of classes between grade 5 and 12 and never gone near a university. I’d relegate him to the electoral scrap bin right at the start as I think Harry Potter has covered a lot of his ground already.
I don’t disagree with your comments about the climate situation, Hugh but I do think that the solutions you repeat and the slant of your anti-Conservatism article ignores completely the frustrations that many Environmentally conscious Canadians have with respect to the following: 1. Politicians who preach at us as to what the solutions are while all the while ignoring these for their purposes, jetting around the world, in great numbers burning fossil fuels. 2. Imposing taxes and borrowing money for questionable outcomes and creating a bloated bureaucracy to administer this thus adding further to taxes and the cost of living for Canadians and 3. Championing toothless international forums (which they attend in great numbers and in great luxury at taxpayer expense) which pass noble resolutions that are then ignored by the worst climate offenders.
Had you talked in your article instead about the incredible cynicism that the existing Canadian government and much of the global leadership has now created, you might have been onto something.