A Global
Problem Requires
A Global Solution
By Linda McQuaig
14 February, 2005
Toronto
Star
By
now, most people acknowledge the dangers of global warming and the need
for the sort of collective action set out in the Kyoto accords. But
some powerful corporations still hope to head off any such action. Having
exhausted just about every other stalling tactic, they cling to the
argument that Kyoto is flawed.
No doubt it is.
Any international treaty is bound to be.
One problem is that
the agreement doesn't cover some key countries like China and India.
That's because it's we in the industrialized world who have caused the
global warming problem so far. China and India would be brought in in
future rounds.
Kyoto opponents,
like Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, have argued that instead of an international
accord we should have a "made-in-Canada" solution. It's refreshing
to see Klein recognize Canada as an independent country, not an annex
of Texas. But in this case, an international solution is absolutely
necessary. Greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere aren't a national
problem; they affect the Earth's entire climate system. This is a global
problem requiring a coordinated global solution.
Kyoto's main opponents
are huge corporations, led by Exxon-Mobil, which just reported a recording-breaking
$25 billion annual profit. These corporate mega-giants have enormous
sway over governments. From their viewpoint, then, it's ideal to leave
the tackling of global warming up to individual governments.
Consider what's
happening right now in Canada.
Ottawa has been
trying unsuccessfully to get the auto industry to agree to tougher fuel
economy standards for cars.
The industry protests
that it's fighting similar regulatory attempts in California; giving
in here would undermine its lawsuit against California's tough new law
on vehicle emissions. All the better! Surely we want the industry to
lose its lawsuit.
California has taken
bold action on the global warming front, assuming a leadership role
that the industry-cosy Bush administration refuses to assume. Canada,
which has a market as big as California, could play a significant role
here. Rather than letting the industry pick us off one by one, applying
maximum pressure to each government, our governments should present
a united front to bring foot-dragging industries to heel.
California's tough
approach has won support from key northeastern states, including New
York. With Canada's co-operation, these states could form a powerful
bloc that would force the auto industry to improve fuel economy.
And improving fuel
economy wouldn't be difficult. The technology already exists. But ever
since U.S. government gave up requiring the industry to improve fuel
economy back in the 1980s, automakers have instead put their technological
advances toward other things mostly toward creating ever-larger
vehicles with ever-greater propulsion.
Thus we have the
SUV.
Global warming may
soon reduce life on Earth to a series of "constant battles for
diminishing resources" according to a 2003 Pentagon report
but at least people will have the choice of driving off-road
in really cool-looking vehicles.
The other option
would be for governments to work together to save the planet.
Linda McQuaig is
a Toronto-based author and commentator.
Copyright Toronto
Star Newspapers Limited