Years ago at an Ottawa news conference, John Baird posed the banal question: “How many Canadians does it take to change a light bulb?” This tidbit of comedic gold spoke to what environmentalists profess to be an irrefutable environmental issue: climate change.
The former environment minister confidently responded to his own question with a phrase no intellectual could have mustered. He said, “Every one of us.” Intrinsic in this is the notion that individuals must, on their own, take proactive steps in resolving issues that may burden them — the nerve!
In 1997, prior to this landmark realization, the Chrétien government had ratified the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that would curb the effects of climate change. Celebrations ensued, and advocates of this convention searched tirelessly for trees to hug. Canada announced its withdrawal Dec. 12, 2011, a consequence of its failure to reach Kyoto’s targets.
Public backlash was immediate. Canada was deemed a disgrace for exiting an accord that was utterly useless in achieving its mandate. The world’s largest emitters were not required to abide by the agreement and a near financial collapse, which rocked global markets, negated incentives of due diligence among some compliant countries.
Kyoto’s efficacy and intentions have been disputed for years. Critics have gone as far as to claim the Kyoto accord had very little to do with climate, and was only devised to serve narrow financial and political interests. Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente suggested developing countries are only in favour of Kyoto to gain an economic advantage over their developed rivals by halting their industrial growth. Albeit radical, this view is in line with the inconsistencies among Kyoto’s emission targets for the industrialized and industrializing world.
However, since protesting and complaining are as habitual as breathing, it’s only natural we’d bear witness to our displeasure towards our government for considering the international accord’s legitimate flaws, and eventually reneging on the global agreement.
The first and only mistake of government was of Chrétien’s Liberals in 1997 when they agreed to meet quixotic targets, which would pose perils to Canadian industries and raise energy costs. Irrespective of the drawbacks, failing to construct an enforcement mechanism to guarantee success and incentivize obedience, a result of either incompetence or deliberate omission, placed the onus of reducing emissions directly on Canadian citizens.
After becoming a signatory, the draconian emission targets were forgotten until Paul Martin reopened the issue. He reassured Canadians that his government would work vigorously to restore the course, while sustaining western Canada’s resource-rich, energy-intensive industries. Martin did not remain in office long enough to implement his undeniably attainable vision. Energy-intensive industry and emission caps are peas in a pod.
Understandably, the Conservative government finally put an end to the madness, which was expected given their explicit skepticism with respect to the accord.
As seen, the Canadian government didn’t succeed at reducing emissions, but they didn’t fail. To fail, one must act. Perhaps the government failed in embracing a practical resolution, but they can’t be blamed for Kyoto’s failure. By reneging, they simply acted on the true will of the Canadian people. It’s very evident we don’t prioritize the environment or care about climate change when you consider our behaviour, Kyoto’s outcome and public opinion polls.
Regardless of your position on climate change, with or without a binding agreement, reversing its effects has always been an individual responsibility. Neither government nor corporations can assist a society if the society is not ready to assist itself.
Governments and corporations exist solely to profit financially and politically by serving us. No matter how deplorable their actions, as long as you continue living beyond your needs, directly or indirectly supporting energy-intensive practices, they will facilitate your habits. But of course, it’s never our fault.
As hard as it may be to stomach, this is a failure of the Canadian people — not of the government or corporations. It’s the people who have responsibility; you have responsibility.
