Should we do something just because it is right?
This is the question that came to mind after I talked with a gentleman who wanted us to print a letter from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), which basically restated its opposition to Alberta’s carbon-levy.
Now before I start getting phone calls, the reason why we didn’t publish the letter, is not because of my personal opinion (I have stated in the past that some sort of price on carbon was inevitable), but first and foremost that it was addressed to him, not us.
That being said, as a person who has lived in B.C. that not only has a carbon tax, but a provincial sales tax, I can tell you from personal experience, the world won’t end because of its implementation.
Although we decided not to publish the letter, I do want to discuss, one of things stated in it saying that basically nothing Canada does, considering our population density, in the way of emissions reduction, will make any difference in the world’s battle against climate change.
In a guest column to the National Post, Aaron Wudrick, CTF federal director, stated that using China’s current environmental regulations by 2030 its annual carbon emissions are estimated to rise about 13,600 megatonnes (Mt).
To put this into perspective, Canada’s current emissions, if we are fortunate to achieve them, sees us reducing our carbon emissions from 748 Mt to 548.
Wudrick goes on to say if Canada were to somehow stop emitting any carbon for a full year it would take China only two months to negate any advances we may make.
It is an argument that I have heard before, even in this office. Mind you it is never that simple and that is why many of the oil and gas producers along with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers said they are in favour of a carbon tax because it has a tangible financial benefit to the sector. But let’s say it doesn’t. Does that mean we shouldn’t do something because we feel will have a limited impact?
In my opinion, sometimes we have to take a stand because it is right. Let us bring the argument down to a more local level — recycling. At last year’s Town of Barrhead AGM council told residents they would be asking for their input on whether they should continue its recycling program, which runs at an annual deficit of about $180,000. Once again, how much of an impact does the town’s voluntary recycling program have and is it worth the expenditure? Once again I say yes, because it is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, as humans we all have a negative impact on our environment, but that doesn’t mean we just get to throw up our hands because we can’t solve the problem. At the very least we must make an effort.
