Well, now that there have been enough serious accidents at the corner, let’s put up some traffic lights. So goes the continuing story of the human race in its often slow reaction to extreme events. The same can be said to our response to recent extreme weather events around the world, and especially in North America. Indeed, a recent survey reported on by Postmedia News indicated that of those Americans surveyed, 58 percent believe “global warming is affecting weather in the United States”. 85 percent of respondents claimed they experienced extreme weather during the last year. Even some Republicans surveyed now want action on climate change, although many continue to deny that it’s a scientific fact.
Scientists and non-scientists at least now fully agree that emerging weather patterns are proving to be consistent with climate-change predictions. So what’s the hang-up? Surely, it’s time for American and Canadian politicians to get really earnest about tackling what is the most important environmental and number one issue of our times and that of our children. Come on folks, climate affects everything societal, economic and political!!!
While we pay lip service to clean forms of energy and green technologies, we still continue to spew all kinds of crap into our air. In 2009, the Canadian government launched a plan to spend $1 billion over a five year period on clean energy research and demonstration projects, with an emphasis on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, according to Climate Action Network Canada, the Federal Government yearly continues to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the companies producing oil and gas. Analysis shows a total of $1.4 billion per year in federal subsidies, $840 million of which are special tax breaks, with a disproportionate share going to dirty fuels such as the Alberta Tar Sands. It is estimated that the oil and gas industry alone accounts for about 20% of all Canadian greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, in the U.S., half of its electricity generation is still provided by coal-burning plants. As well, as indicated by various government reports, the American oil industry receives tax breaks averaging about $4 billion a year. There appears to be a contradiction in both approaches being taken here!
I’m no expert on climate change, and neither are the vast majority of politicians. However, the science speaks for itself, as well as our own everyday weather observations. It would seem that an increasing majority of citizens-voters believe that governments and industry need to do something sooner than later. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to get this one right.
FROLITICKS 
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