Even if one were one to agree that the scientific case for potentially catastrophic man-made climate change was closed, which it is not, there would still be three unavoidable facts about the pretensions of climate policy. Each of these facts is assiduously avoided by fans of draconian action. The first is that Canada could not meet its obligations under the Kyoto Accord without decimating the economy. The second is that if it were to achieve this suicidal goal, the impact on global climate would be zero. Finally, even if all the signatories to Kyoto were to meet their targets (which they won't), the impact on global temperatures would be minimal. Kyoto was just one draconian step towards a much more draconian future.
It is hard to understand why the Conservatives do not hammer away at these facts.
One has to hope it is base cowardice because if it is not the answer is much more sinister.
Seeing just one federal government step forward and thoroughly denounce Kyoto would be a thing of beauty. If the next Canadian election is run on the environment the Conservatives should take the challenge head on. They should treat the issue and those who promote it with the dripping contempt they deserve.
I would love to see Mr. Harper say to Dion, "OK, in simple terms explain to Canadians how sending billions of dollars to China will improve the climate. Before you can expect them to take such actions you should be able to very clearly explain why it would work."
If they try to cop out by starting with, "Scientists agree that...", stop them right there and say, "No, we are not interested in a so-called concensus, we are interested in plainspeak. Tell us how sending billions of dollars out of the country will alter the climate."
Don't let up for a second, everytime the Kyoto Kooks start spouting their logical fallacies hit them hard and hold them to an answer until they are left sputtering.
