Election 2011: The earth...not ours to spoil

Our earth is not healing itself as fast as we’re hurting it. Every day we learn about another flood or drought which has left thousands of the world’s population displaced or dead. Climate change has resulted in rising global temperatures and extreme weather conditions. Our own Arctic polar ice caps are melting. Heat-related deaths as well as the spread of tropical diseases and air pollution have all increased. How can we stop and heal our world?

Its obvious Canadians are concerned about their environmental impact. We are using fewer plastic bags and recycling more than ever. However, Canada does not have a good track record internationally and it almost seems like it doesn’t matter: we’ve won the Colossal Fossil award four years in a row at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It’s meant to shame a country when this award is handed down, as it is bestowed on the country that performed the worst at climate change negotiations. Apparently it doesn’t shame our government.

Leading members of both scientific and faith communities have repeatedly stated that if the Earth is to continue to provide for us we must change. Opposition to this comes from a belief that implementing strict environmental policies would harm the economy. However, research has shown that a failure to act will cause greater long-term financial and societal harm.

Canadians are currently debating a range of issues related to the environment:

• What steps can Canada take to become greener while remaining economically competitive with the rest of the world?
• Should a national carbon tax policy or a national cap-and-trade system be imposed?
• What is the role of the Global North in supporting those in the Global South with mitigation and adaptation measures?

As faithful stewards of creation, it is our duty to ensure that the candidates we elect will effectively care for God’s earth.

Questions for candidates:

• What initiatives would your party undertake to help reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions?
• How would you integrate environmental concerns with economic and social policy?