Here’s an excellent article on the cost of action to tackle climate change in Canada. It’s not touchy feely happy that the latest fad would lead you to believe, it’s going to be hard and costly work. This is a serious problem which must be addressed whether we like it or not and us here in the developed world must lead the way. Hell if we’re not ready to make the sacrifices required, why would anyone else…
Most Canadians tell pollsters they’re concerned about climate change. Many insist they’d like to do something about it, and would even pay for measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
But propose actual cash amounts – 25 cents a litre on gasoline, perhaps, or a $10 daily commuter toll – and support evaporates.
Source: The Star
One thing I’ve noticed in the western world is that many of the “climate change solutions” only deal with what and the amount of resources consumed. That’s just part of the battle though, we also have to find ways of lowering our overall consumption. Like the three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), if we reduce our usage, everything is made easier.
The politicians here in North America have shown that the political will to get things done is nonexistent (well perhaps except for maybe California). I certainly hope that Europe can handle the load of leadership and not buckle at the opposition of our so called leaders.
Yeah, I’m finding the same issue as I talk to people about this. You may have noted that some anti-environmentalist writers talk about higher costs as if (money is the singularly important thing but also as if) most people don’t know about it. I have some engineer friends who do, and observe the lack of awareness about higher costs. They say that if companies think long-term profit, they will go green as the long-term savings eventually (50 years…) outweigh the initial costs.
Some critics of capitalism say that consumerism is the capitalist work ethic. If this is true, then hope for real, significant change is less than bleak… reduce consumption -> reduce demand -> reduce profit.
NOT PORN unless this isn’t an iht link! lol
http://iht.com/articles/2008/01/31/europe/bags.php