Living in Ottawa, April can normally be an unpredictable month for the weather. However, going from freezing rain on one day last week to 28 (centigrade) degree heat the following week is really abnormal. In addition, the famous longest skating rink — in the Rideau Canal — did not open for the first time in over 50 years of operation due to unusual warmer weather this past winter. With extreme weather events around the world, even climate change deniers have to sit up and take note.
Years ago, the federal government in Canada imposed a “carbon tax,” which puts a price on greenhouse gas emissions. Yes, this tax does contribute to inflation, particularly because of the federal fuel charge which affects drivers and businesses everywhere. However, one must take into account the economic and environmental costs of climate change which are becoming increasingly a major burden on governments and people due to infrastructure damages and related deaths. Someone will have to pay for infrastructure improvements and maintenance in order to avoid the detrimental impact of future extreme weather events.
There is a need for policies and programs that put a price on pollution and help consumers manage rising costs. To blame measures aimed at combating climate change and reducing greenhouse emissions is short sighted. Green technologies need to be supported and everyone is going to have to adjust their standard of living and consumption accordingly.
Doesn’t matter where you live as the environment and climate change are global issues! Don’t point to the environmental impact of China, India and other countries in order to argue that we can’t do enough to deal with the issue. Over forty percent of the world’s consumption occurs in North America, and we need to show more environmental leadership. China and the U.S. are the world’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters, so any attempt to address the climate crisis will need to involve deep emissions cuts from these two powerhouse nations. China’s emissions are more than double those of the U.S., but historically the US has emitted more than any other country in the world. On a per capita basis, Canada is just as guilty.
There is little doubt that food will become even more expensive due to the impact of extreme weather events on agriculture. Just look to California which is a major producer of fruits and vegetables, or to mid-west U.S. states which provide red meat and grain products. Farmers are finding it harder to produce because of higher costs for feed, fertilizers and fuel. Farmers have to adapt to help reduce greenhouse emissions, while introducing more green technologies. Yes, the initial costs will be high, but the long term benefits will be great and will reduce those costs. Governments will have to support farmers during this much needed transition.
For too long, all of us have been consuming without having to pay for the real costs associated with environmental impacts. It’s about time that we wake up and realize these outcomes. For those lower income groups who are particularly affected by inflationary costs, society will have to help out them and their families to at least have a reasonable standard of living. This can be done by income tax credits, living wages, affordable housing, universal health insurance, subsidized education opportunities, and improved social assistance programs. As two of the world’s wealthiest countries, the U.S. and Canada do not have any excuse to provide an annual minimum income — something talked about for several decades.
More corporations have to play a greater role in supporting technological innovations aimed at reducing pollution and greenhouse emissions. They have to pay their fair share (e.g. corporate taxes) for operating in a stable economy and one which strives to provide for a fair level field to operate in. Carbon taxes are one way of encouraging innovation and rewarding businesses by recognizing the associated costs designed to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Moreover, we all have to be accountable and environmentally friendly. Otherwise, extreme weather events like those in Ottawa will unfortunately become the norm.
FROLITICKS 
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