Thursday, December 17, 2009

A reader says some nice things and we’re not even related

Today, 6:37 a.m.

Ping. You’ve got mail.

Dear Gord,

I enjoy reading your column each week and you need to know that there are many out here who have similar sentiments about environmental issues.

It’s the frustration of prevalent apathy that holds back change. If energy prices don’t escalate, behaviour won’t either.

I really don’t think that people understand that there is ‘no peeing section in the swimming pool’ – both the global rich and the poor will share the same air and water.

To watch the news each night and hear the scorn heaped upon Canada is both correctly placed yet badly skewed by media.



The tar sands project is a case in point. 15% of Canada’s carbon footprint stems from this site, yet Canada’s total emissions form a mere 2% of  global output.

While our government record is handcuffed to an economic lobby and general ineptness, without a binding agreement from China and the US, anything other countries might implement is minimalistic. How important is a snowflake in an avalanche?
 
You’d enjoy the book ‘The Upside of Down’ by Thomas Homer-Dixon; it would be a great compendium to Ronald Wright’s book.

Signed, DW

I thought, raise energy prices? Hmmmm....

I agreed, don’t pee in the pool.

I said to myself, 2 per cent of global output sounds small on paper but we still have a responsibility to lower our emissions significantly per person because we’re sit near the top when we look at individual emissions.

He’s right. I would enjoy The Upside of Down... again. (See Read This, right margin)

Okay, enough thinking. Time to compose a reply.

12:20 p.m.

Dear Dave,

(to be continued)

***

Q: How important is a snowflake in an avalanche?

.

4 comments:

Lost Motorcyclist said...

The snowflake is very important in avalanches as it is all snowflakes. Wait, this is too easy. Is this a trick question to help us justify not doing our share?

G. Harrison said...

Sounds like a trick question. DW is a computer whiz, and most of what he does is over my head.

GH

Theresa said...

As a fellow blogger (Kiashu from Australia at Green with a Gun) reminded me not long ago - you never know which drop of water will finally overfill the glass. Similarly we don't know which snowflake will start the avalanche. So we must mind our drops and flakes at all times. That is why individual action matters, because really, that's all there is.

G. Harrison said...

Hi Theresa,

After hearing about PM harper's performance at Copenhagen (Environment Minister Prentice is a mere mouth piece), what you say is so true. Individual action is all we can hope for in canada at the moment.

More snowflakes, please.

Cheers,

GAH