Phendrana Drifts

A rare day, a day when the Don Braid and Graham Thompson, the resident provincial political scribes at the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal both decide to heap praise on Premier Ed Stelmach. Thompson's headline isn't the best, "Climate talks let Stelmach off hook" but in his column he does write: "It was such a good day for Stelmach that he happily joined conference host, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, for a news conference after the premiers ended their Thursday sessions."

Braid's column was much more complimentary, with the headline "Ed plays his cards right Down East." As Braid rightfully points out, Stelmach's government has actually done something about greenhouse gas emissions. A $15 per tonne of emission tax is a great idea. That money is going to go into a fund to find new energy technologies. Does it provide an incentive to a heavy polluter to reduce their pollution? Yep. Does it help find the technology that will ultimately be necessary to meet reduction targets? Yep. Will it damage the economy? Not likely. Is it perfect? Far, far from it. We still need far more action, but as my post yesterday stated, and my opinion for years has been, the action that needs to be taken is from you.

Regardless of what the outcome is from the Council of the Federation, it would seem we have a Premier prepared to protect our interests at the national level while not coming across as a goofball or a redneck. Good job Premier.

Labels: alberta politics, climate change

So obviously I didn't keep up and blog when I said I would. I still lack a good excuse, but I'll provide some content.

First, the headline in today's U of A Gateway was " Powerplant plan promises fewer losses" which struck me the same way "New Iraq plan promises fewer American deaths".

Second, I'm watching with earnest as the Council of the Federation tries to tackle climate change. I'm shocked, as I often am when the developed world tries to deal with this problem, that consumer and individual choice remains off the radar when discussing climate change. I still firmly hold that this problem will not be solved by government and industry, but average citizens. You want to help stop climate change? Get rid of your car or at least take the bus to work. Want to reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions? Reduce yours. And encourage your neighbours to do it to. Want politicans who have the courage to do something about CO2? Well, they need to have the courage to tell every citizen that they have to reduce their carbon footprint - that kind of message isn't one easily made in a democracy.

Third... I'm going to Toronto - thoughts on what I should do while I'm there? I think we're going to a Blue Jays game - I've never been to MLB game. Should be good.

Labels: climate change, iraq, toronto

I don't have a good reason in many respects, so I won't bore you with a fake one. But I have been enjoying the hot weather. If there is a silver lining to climate change, I can sure say this summer has been a blast. I still should aim for a few more patios... although the current rate of patios and beers outside in our yard might provide the excuse I needed to explain my electronic absence. I'll try and think of something to blog about for tomorrow and sound smart.

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