The 1.7 percent Myth

 

We are in a climate change crisis.  It is not just the damage we are doing to the environment but is apparent disinterest or denial by so many people.

One of the favourite arguments from people who don’t think we should be doing anything about climate change in Canada are those who say that Canada only produces 1.7% of the world’s greenhouse gases that are the primary cause of climate change.  But this is a myth; an excuse for non-action.

If we look at that number of 1.7% more critically, we discover that that is nothing to be proud about.  The truth is that we punch well above our weight when it comes to the production of greenhouse gases.  The reality is that we are a country of less than 40 million in a world of 8 billion, or only 0.5% of the world’s population.  If look at it that way you can see that we produce over 3 times the world’s average for greenhouse gases.  That is not something to be proud of nor is it an excuse for non-action.

One can make the argument that because of our larger distances and cold climate, we probably can justify a larger climate footprint.  But there is no justification for the large number that is now found.  Perhaps a decimal point or two higher than the world average, say 0.6 or 0.7% could be justified, but not by 3 times which is now the situation.

“Don't find fault, find a remedy.”

Henry Ford

As a technologically advances and innovative country, we should be exploiting our advantages to discover and advance better ways to improve our ability to improve our environmental footprint.  We should be exploiting the huge possibilities for hydroelectric power that this country offers.  We must, at the same time, look to more environmentally friendly ways to build the infrastructure for such projects.  Canada, probably more than any other country, has the capability to become the first and maybe only country to become an all-electric society with a minimum of environmental impact.  And with the resulting technology and expertise, we can probably export that expertise to the rest of the world.

Am I being a dreamer?  Possibly.  But we can try. 

“Don't worry about people stealing an idea. If it's original, you will have to ram it down their throats.”
  - Howard Aiken

What kind of world do you want to leave future generations?  I am reminded of my experience as a young boy.  I grew up in Hamilton Ontario in the 1950s.  Hamilton harbour, which receive all of the effluent from the city, the steel companies and the heavy industries was referred to as the world’s largest and most beautiful septic tank.  I also visited relatives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who lived on the southern edge of the city.  From their hilltop house you could see downtown, or at least you could see the heavy smog hanging over it. After playing outside, I often had to take three baths in a day.  Both of these places of heavy pollution have now been cleaned up to the extent that it is now safe to swim in Hamilton harbour, and these days, downtown Pittsburgh is smog free and quite clean.  If these and many jurisdictions can do that, why can’t we tackle climate change with the same fervour?

“Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us.”
  - Henrik Tikkanen