Canada is a country with a…

Canada is a country with a cold climate. It is easy for Canadians to accept what is euphemistically called Global warming. A couple of degrees warmer weather in winter might even be welcomed … in Canada. People in warmer climates have been deeply concerned about how things are heating up globally. Ten or 15 years ago, in Australia, people thought it was cute that Koala bears were climbing down out of their dangerously dehydrating trees and begging passing bicyclists for a drink of water. Am I the only person in Ontario who is noticing that the trees of the forest around my home are weakening, sickening, and dying?
When you are a politician, it is expedient to consider the short term; after all, getting elected and then re-elected is your primary responsibility in life. It is easy to not notice the dangers of climate extremes when you live in a city. Every building you enter has air-conditioning. You turn on the faucet and water comes out. There are flowers blooming in the park. You get what you order at your favourite restaurant. There is abundance and variety at the supermarket.
But what about when the electricity goes off? What about when there’s so much water that storm sewers are spouting monstrous geysers? What about when the maple trees are dying? What about the current intermittent crop failures that are indicators of immanent widespread food shortages?
I do what I can: I grow as much of my family’s food I can, I compost everything that is compostable, I avoid chemicals, my meat and dairy consumption is ten per cent of what it was, I hang my laundry to dry, I wash my dishes by hand, I drive my aging vehicle only when I have to. I’m not sure what else I can do, but I am sure that Cap and Trade works.
You were elected by people who are afraid of losing the little they feel they still have under control. What are you doing now that all of us are in danger of losing everything because of climate deterioration? Step up and do the right thing, for us, and for the environment. Save the Cap and Trade program.