Ultimate Sacrifice

While the governments of my province and my country continue to taut emission intensity reduction, our overall emissions of greenhouse gases have reached an all time high. Despite signing the Kyoto Accord in 1998 and ratifying it four years later, Canada continues to talk about the possibility of a solution but has done nothing about implementing any legislation to target overall emissions. As long as we continue to concentrate on intensity reduction but allow production to grow, our disrespect of the planet can only be classified as suicidal. If our provincial government does not begin to take a leadership role in controlling the oil industry’s overall emissions, that responsibility will be taken out of our hands. Does no one remember the National Energy Program? It is inevitable that change will have to be legislated, either that or we are ultimately finished. It is not a matter of if but rather a matter of when and how. I’m embarrassed to acknowledge that Arnold Schwarzenegger has shown more leadership in protecting Alberta’s resources and sovereignty than our own provincial government. See article.

No one seems willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to help our planet. You would think the ultimate sacrifice would be life itself but no, it is not. We now define the ultimate sacrifice as the size of our wallet. For our children’s financial well being, we seem willing to sacrifice the rights of our grandchildren to a healthy, fulfilling life on a non-toxic planet. We may want things to change but we’re not willing to make changes if they are gong to adversely affect our financial bottom line.

Aboriginal cultures have always sought to live their lives in such a way as to ensure long term sustainability of resources. It is time for the rest of us to adopt the same approach and stop waiting for someone else or technology to provide a solution. We must begin to recognize our ability and responsibility to personally make a difference in the health of our planet.

There is a very simple solution that requires a major paradigm shift in consumer values from economical goods to ecologically friendly goods. If each and every one of us began conscientiously spending our money on products that reflect our values and beliefs, industry would adapt and follow the money. If we demand ecological accountability and sustainability in the products we purchase, industry will produce ecologically accountable and sustainable products.

"What you risk reveals what you value."
- Jeanette Winterson ( b 1959)