CTV.ca news staff writes:
Environment Minister John Baird shot back at critics Friday, calling the Conservative government's position towards the Kyoto Protocol a "balanced approach."
"What we want to do is take a balanced approach, an approach where we can actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions... in a way that helps our environment and preserves Canadian jobs," Baird told CTV's Canada AM.
The Senate environmental committee is currently considering a bill put forward by Liberal MP Pablo Rodriquez that would force the government to comply with the Kyoto targets.
On Thursday, Baird was accused of using scare tactics when he painted a grim depiction of the economic mayhem that Canada would have to endure if it were to comply with the Kyoto Protocol.
Meanwhile, David Suzuki is set to meet with Baird on Friday to hand over a petition bearing the names of 30,000 people who consider the environment a top priority.
"Canadians, I believe, are far ahead of the political posturing that we see," the respected environmental activist told reporters Friday. "They're not afraid to pay more and what they want is action."
While Baird said yesterday that meeting the Kyoto carbon emissions targets would "manufacture a recession" for Canada, Suzuki says other economists have estimated the cost at one per cent of gross national product.
He said ignoring global warming will cost more than both world wars put together.
0 comments:
Post a Comment