Why is the environment such a big issue in the possible upcomming election?

[the_only_turek_fan]

I heard that Canada contributes only 2% of world wide carbon diooxide.

Shouldn't the government be more concerned with the economy, the justice system, employment and more important things like that.

I am not a politics guy by any stretch but all this emphasis on the environment is strange to me.

[JiriHrdina]

Nothing else to talk about in terms of major issues?

I honestly think that's a big part of it.

[peter12]

Honestly, it's most political. It's moving from a valence issue among the electorate to one that may actually decide an election. Hence, the Cons and Libs trying to out-green and outspend the other.

From a citizen's perspective, we do have a problem in this country with pollution and greenhouse gases. Yes, we only produce 2%, but we have like ... what .5% of the global population. Alberta and Southern Ontario producing by far the majority of that CO2 as well.

There is also the economic aspect, with the whole world going green, Canada should try to stay on the cutting edge of green techonological and business solutions.

[habernac]

one look at the brown haze that surrounds downtown Calgary should show you why the environment is a big issue for a lot of people.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Nothing else to talk about in terms of major issues?

I honestly think that's a big part of it.

The justice system is a joke, there are unemployment issues in Eastern Canada. I think there are lots of things to talk about.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by peter12

There is also the economic aspect, with the whole world going green, Canada should try to stay on the cutting edge of green techonological and business solutions.

Yeah, the environment vs. economy "pick one or the other" is such a false choice. I'd be thrilled if Canada was a world leader in adopting green economic ideas.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I heard that Canada contributes only 2% of world wide carbon diooxide.

But we are only 0.5% of the world wide population. Granted we use more enegry per capita on things like heat than say Mexico............

[Boreal]

It's a shifting consciousness, where people are finally realizing that the status quo is driving everyone f**cking nuts, and change is in order.

Its the paradox of choice.

[Bobblehead]

A couple things that address cars in today's budget...
link

• A performance-based rebate program will offer up to $2,000 for the purchase of a new fuel-efficient or efficient alternative-fuel vehicle.
• A new green levy on "gas guzzlers," will replace the excise tax on heavy vehicles. It will be based on fuel efficiency ratings, and will be paid by the manufacturer on vehicles delivered after March 19. The levy starts at $1,000.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

A couple things that address cars in today's budget...
link

That's pretty good. Although about 5 years behind the Americans.

All in all, not a bad green budget. More than Chretien ever did.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by fotze

Too bad a lot of those people then drive in to work.

lazy #%$^%$!@

[DuffMan]

Well, on a personal note, I just read that there will be a $1,000 rebate on a Jeep Patriot, which is what I am telling the wife to get. She's interested in the ford Escape, but it looks like the rebate is on the hybrid model only.
It did say there will be more details later.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

The justice system is a joke, there are unemployment issues in Eastern Canada. I think there are lots of things to talk about.

Environment is mostly politics. Justice/Crime should be the top priority, but that one is too hard to fix since it involves cracking open the constitution to make any real change, and even if you aren't a politics expert, you can imagine the storm that would create.

Whereas, a "major victory" on the environment can be declared with some cheques and levies.

I'm not saying the environment isn't important. But the push to the top of priorities is due to political spin.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Shouldn't the government be more concerned with the economy, the justice system, employment and more important things like that.

Nothing is more important than the environment.

And if we want the rest of the world to slow down on the pollution (which we do) then we have to do our part. We can't tsk tsk China or India for their environmental policies if ours are worse, even though we only have like 3% of the people.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Living within a lifestyle that is complimentary to our environment is the only way we can assure continued prosperity and health for humanity today and in the future. It is a concept that has been ignored for too long in the race to build our economies and it needs to change if we want to be able to keep enjoying our lives.

It is not like it is impossible to have a strong and healthy economy without thinking about the environment. It doesn't mean we have to throw ourselves into the stone age, or treehouse villages either.

Someone mentioned the unemployment issues in Eastern Canada. Imagine if 30 years ago the major fishing interests had gotten together in order to strike a treaty outlining best practices in exploiting the Grand Banks...

I am glad to see that discussions about "the environment" are finally receiving more and more credibility. Environmental issues are more serious than any other man made problems we think are more important.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Well, on a personal note, I just read that there will be a $1,000 rebate on a Jeep Patriot, which is what I am telling the wife to get. She's interested in the ford Escape, but it looks like the rebate is on the hybrid model only.
It did say there will be more details later.

Really?
A Jeep will get a rebate? You sure that isn't the additonal $1000 levy?
Unless the removal of the Federal excise offsets the levy.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Really?
A Jeep will get a rebate? You sure that isn't the additonal $1000 levy?
Unless the removal of the Federal excise offsets the levy.

Originally Posted by Canoe

The price tag for a Hummer or a Jeep Grand Cherokee will go up by $4,000, while vehicles like the GMC Yukon, the Toyota Sequoia and Dodge Durango could see a green levy of $2,000 per vehicle. Vehicles eligible for a $2,000 rebate include the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and the Ford Escape HEV 4x4. There would be $1,000 discounts for the Toyota Corolla, Mini Cooper M6, Jeep Patriot and Chevrolet Impala.

The Patriot has a tiny 2.4 l engine. and here's the gas mileage they have listed at...
7.2L/100 km (39 mpg) EnerGuide Highway Rating.

Looks like the Grand Cherokee gets hit for enviro fees, to the tune of $4,000

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

The Patriot has a tiny 2.4 l engine. and here's the gas mileage they have listed at...
7.2L/100 km (39 mpg) EnerGuide Highway Rating.

Looks like the Grand Cherokee gets hit for enviro fees, to the tune of $4,000

Interesting. Knowing people who have owned Jeeps, I just didn't expect them to come in on that side of an environmental levy.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Nothing is more important than the environment.

And if we want the rest of the world to slow down on the pollution (which we do) then we have to do our part. We can't tsk tsk China or India for their environmental policies if ours are worse, even though we only have like 3% of the people.

The environment is more important than making stiffer laws to protect the citizens of our country? The environment is more important than paying teachers and police officers?

I have to strongly disagree. Canada is not even a major contributer to green house gases. It should not be a top priority IMO.

Like I said earlier, I am new to this whole thing. If I understand my facts correctly it was the Liberals who were the first to push the whole Environtment/Kyoto stuff in the first place right? Some one please correct me if I am wrong. If I am right there are two things that are on my mind.

1) The carbon credits allocated to Canada are going to be allocated by population? Again someone correct me if I am wrong (There is a good chance that I am haha). If so then it seems as if all the credits will be bought by the Western provinces and hence money is transfered West to East. Is this just another way to get money out east?

2) If carbon taxes are put in, then the Feds get money out of Alberta directly that they can move out East and use as money to fund federal projects. I am not sure if there is a tax, or there is going to be one, but if there is down the road is it just another cash grab?

[SaskaBushFire]

How about the Indian issues in SK? Nah lets just sweep all that under the rug..