Tax on a Tax Cartoon. Online Petition to eliminate should be available this week for your Consideration.

Proposed Petition:
Whereas: The B.C. government instituted a CARBON TAX in 2008 and the Federal Govt GST TAX (currently at 5%) is still being charged on this Carbon TAX

We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to eliminate the GST being charged on this or any other future Carbon Tax enacted by the Provinces or Territories.” No more TAX on a TAX.
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http://vernonblog.blogspot.ca/search/label/carbon%20tax for all articles since 2008 on carbon tax.

Climate change controversy

by Kate Bouey CASTANET - Oct 6, 2015 / 10:37 am
Climate change has become a hot topic in the race for MP in the North Okanagan Shuswap riding. Conservative candidate Mel Arnold said he's not certain human activity is the main cause of climate change on earth. "I don't dispute human activity is having an effect,'' he added, in an interview Tuesday. Arnold said he's aware his view will court controversy. Green party candidate Chris George said Arnold's view on climate change is in the minority. "You'd likely find that nine percent of Canadians agree with his view,'' said George, pointing to 2014 polling results on climate change. "But 91 percent have a different opinion." "It's conclusive, beyond doubt,'' said George. "At this point we know that it is fossil fuel emissions and increased carbon dioxide, that has led to global warming."George pointed to predictions made in the 1980s and 90s that the world would suffer major droughts, storms and see polar ice melt. "It has happened quicker than what was predicted." Arnold believes natural factors also come into play including forest fires and solar and volcanic activity. A Canadian government website states that while "climate change can be caused by both natural processes and human activities, the recent warming has been largely attributed to human activity, primarily the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere."

UN unveils 20-page negotiating text for Paris

5 October 2015, source edie newsroom

The United Nations (UN) has today (5 October) released a streamlined version of the negotiating text that will be used at the COP21 Paris Climate Conference in December.

The new document, drawn up by two co-chairs for the talks - Algerian diplomat Ahmed Djoghlaf and US counterpart Dan Reifsnyder - has been cut down from 89 to 20 pages, in a bid to provide a more succinct starting point for final round of pre-Summit talks in Bonn, Germany, later this month.

Paris 2015- 20 page draft agreement

Save the planet: eat a dog?

Repost of an old article.
22/10/2009 TANYA KATTERNS - The Dominion Post
The eco-pawprint of a pet dog is twice that of a 4.6-litre Land Cruiser driven 10,000 kilometres a year, researchers have found. Victoria University professors Brenda and Robert Vale, architects who specialise in sustainable living, say pet owners should swap cats and dogs for creatures they can eat, such as chickens or rabbits, in their provocative new book Time to Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living. The couple have assessed the carbon emissions created by popular pets, taking into account the ingredients of pet food and the land needed to create them. "If you have a German shepherd or similar-sized dog, for example, its impact every year is exactly the same as driving a large car around," Brenda Vale said. "A lot of people worry about having SUVs but they don't worry about having Alsatians and what we are saying is, well, maybe you should be because the environmental impact ... is comparable."
In a study published in New Scientist, they calculated a medium dog eats 164 kilograms of meat and 95kg of cereals every year. It takes 43.3 square metres of land to produce 1kg of chicken a year. This means it takes 0.84 hectares to feed Fido. They compared this with the footprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser, driven 10,000km a year, which uses 55.1 gigajoules (the energy used to build and fuel it). One hectare of land can produce 135 gigajoules a year, which means the vehicle's eco-footprint is 0.41ha – less than half of the dog's.

Final periods for old-time shinny on natural ice, climate scientists say

By PNG, Vancouver SunMarch 4, 2012
 A team of Canadian climate scientists is predicting the widespread disappearance of outdoor hockey rinks across the country in the next 50 years due to global warming — with some regions of the sport’s  spiritual birthplace likely to witness an even earlier eclipse of old-time shinny on natural ice. “The ability to skate and play hockey outdoors is a critical component of Canadian identity and culture,” three researchers from Montreal’s McGill and Concordia universities write in the latest issue of the U.K.-based scholarly journal Environmental Research Letters.(more)

Matthews said he and his fellow researchers “knew this would be an issue that would resonate with Canadians,” and called it a “fortuitous coincidence” that Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a well-known “hockey enthusiast.”  Matthews expressed hope that the grim outlook for outdoor hockey rinks might “push the Conservative government to take action” to curb Canada’s contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions, widely seen by scientists as a key driver of climate change.

Canada will not renew Kyoto commitment

Postmedia News December 5, 2011 9:06 AM
 Canada will not renew its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol once it expires in 2012, Environment Minister Peter Kent confirmed Monday in Durban, South Africa.  The Kyoto agreement, an update to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, is the only legally binding treaty in the world that requires countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat in the atmosphere.  The nations that signed the UN treaty in 1992, both developed and developing nations, agreed on the necessity to take measures to prevent human activity from causing dangerous interference with the climate. It is based on a principle in the convention that developed countries are responsible for causing climate change and must act first to address the problem.  "The parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities," reads the convention. "Accordingly, the developed country Parties should take the lead in combating climate change and the adverse effects thereof."  Industrialized countries were required to reduce emissions by an average of five per cent below 1990 levels during Kyoto's first commitment period of 2008 to 2012 — goals that Canada failed to meet.

But the Harper government has long argued against extending the Kyoto agreement, and has set new, less-demanding domestic targets. The federal government led by the Liberals ratified the agreement in 2002, and the protocol has accounting, compliance and reporting measures built into its structure. The government's view now is that the United Nations climate-change treaty must be replaced with a different agreement that builds on progress from the last two United Nations annual summits, in Cancun and Copenhagen, and includes commitments from major emitters such as the United States and China, Kent said.

Osama bin Laden concerned by climate change:

Wissam Keyrouz, AFP October 1, 2010 The Province:
 DUBAI - Osama bin Laden has expressed concern about global climate change and flooding in Pakistan, in an audiotape aired on the Internet, his first public remarks since March, a monitoring group said on Friday.  "The number of victims caused by climate change is very big . . . bigger than the victims of wars," said the voice, whose authenticity could not be immediately verified and was made available by SITE Intelligence Group. The tape would be the first time Bin Laden has spoken publicly since March 25. It was not clear when the tape was made, but bin Laden congratulated Muslims on the holy fasting month of Ramadan which ended September 10. (more)

GHG reduction not realistic: James

Wayne Moore - Aug 24, 2010 / 5:00 am CASTANET:

Kelowna City Councillor Graeme James believes reducing the city's carbon footprint is unrealistic and will cost taxpayers millions of dollars. During a debate on a proposed solar project for the firehall on Enterprise Way, James told his council colleagues the $12,000 cost will be a waste of taxpayers money. "The whole greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions thing has to be really looked at and how we are spending our money is more important because what we are doing right now has very little effect world wide," says James. "As far as the city goes we have made some commitments I really believe we can't meet. If we try and meet those, it's going to cost the taxpayers millions and millions of dollars."

The commitment James refers to is a series of pledges made by the city in 2008, including its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas by 20% by 2011 at all City facilities and 33% overall in the city by 2020. James says as the city continues to grow through migration the additional infrastructure will add to the greenhouse gas emissions, not reduce it. "So, it's very difficult, if not almost impossible, for a growing community to meet those emissions. I'm not a fan of carbon credits, I think it's a shell game and it's a very steep curve that will cost us fortunes." He says he also doesn't trust the provincial government to give the city its money back.

Councillor Angela Reid, who admitted her passion for the reduction of GHG, disagreed, saying growth does not have to mean an increase in the city's carbon footprint. "If we start to identify the technology and working with them and finding ways to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emission so that we are not having a net increase in GHG as our community grows," says Reid. "Growth is inevitable but how we grow is the most important thing. If we start looking now and demonstrating now ways in which we can grow with fewer greenhouse gases overall, I think it's a very prudent choice. Any cost we incur now is an investment in the future that will pay us back."

The debate Monday centered around a proposal to install a solar hot water demonstration system into the main firehall. The project would cost $12,000 with the possibility of a $4,000 reduction through provincial and federal government grants. According to staff estimates, providing hot water using solar technology will save the city $447 annually. At that rate it would take the city 18 years to get its money back. "We represent the taxpayer. It will take 18 years to get our money back and we don't even know if the technology will last for 10 years," says Councillor Andre Blanleil. "I would rather wait until it becomes reasonable to do properly. We have no history on this product to know if it will even last 18 years. I think technology will lead in this direction. I just don't think this technology is ready to go yet."

Meantime, Councillor Michele Rule reminded her colleagues that council had committed to going ahead with a solar project this year and says this one seems relatively inexpensive compared with other projects. Despite protests from James and Blanleil, council voted overwhelmingly in favour of moving ahead. "This is a relatively small investment to demonstrate leadership in an area where we are going to be asking our community to go," says Reid. "If we were to retro-fit the whole city with solar hot water systems, perhaps that would cost millions of dollars, but that's not what is being proposed."

Carbon Footprint of G8/G20 ???

http://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator/#air

Vancouver, Canada ↔ Toronto, Canada Round trip (4,155 miles)

Direct flight Economy Class Details 1,154 lbs CO₂

_{------------------------------------}

_{Just Wondering whether anyone has calculated the Carbon Footprint Costs of the G8 & G20. With all the Police security being flown in all across Canada from many locations and the entourages of all the International Dignitaries and Politicians that will soon invade our shore plus the International and national press it sure must add up.}

_{Will this count against Canada's Carbon Reduction Targets ?}

DNA confirms suspected rare grizzly-polar cross shot in High Arctic

Photograph by: Jim Martell/CanWest News Service,

ULUKHAKTOK, N.W.T. — An odd-looking bear shot a few weeks ago by an Inuit hunter in the High Arctic is a rare grizzly-polar bear cross, scientists have confirmed. Moreover, the animal — with the creamy white fur of a polar bear, but with the big head, long claws and ring of brown hair around its hind common to the grizzly — may be the first recorded second-generation "grolar bear" found in the wild, said the N.W.T. Environment and Natural Resources Department in a news release. "A wildlife genetics laboratory has since conducted DNA testing on the samples, and the results of the testing point to the animal being a second generation hybrid bear which resulted from the mating of a polar/grizzly bear female with a male grizzly bear," said the release.

A warming climate has prompted hungry grizzly bears to increasingly move north, encroaching on polar-bear turf, according to experts. That migration means the two types of bear are expected to come into contact more often, competing for territory and, potentially, mating.

Bernier urges skepticism on climate change

CBC News Wednesday, February 24, 2010 | 6:24 PM ET

Scientific evidence still doesn't clearly explain climate change and it's normal to be skeptical, claims former Conservative cabinet minister Maxime Bernier in an open letter published Wednesday. Not all scientists agree on what causes climate change, and many experts underestimate the role of the sun and other factors, Bernier, who is still an MP, wrote in his op-ed in the Montreal newspaper La Presse. Canada's Conservative government would be irresponsible to spend billions of dollars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions given the contradictory science available, Bernier said. The Quebec politician said the views expressed in the letter are his personal opinion but correspond to those of his political party. Bernier later told The Canadian Press that he simply meant to say it's important to be cautious when it comes to climate change.

Federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice's office was quick to distance itself from Bernier's letter. Prentice's spokesman, Frédéric Baril, told CBC News that Bernier's opinions are his own and are not at all in line with those of the environment ministers or the Conservative government. Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe questioned the credibility of Bernier's views on environmental science. "Mr. Bernier's expertise lies more in Joe Louis than climate change," Duceppe said, referring to the sweet, chocolate-coated vanilla pastries invented in the Beauce region that Bernier represents. Environmental activist Steven Guilbeault questioned whether the Conservative MP acted alone in writing the letter."Frankly, for Mr. Bernier to do that on his own is simply unbelievable," he said.

Olympic tourists asked to buy carbon offsets

CBC NEWS Friday, January 8, 2010:

Vancouver Olympic organizers are looking to spectators travelling to the Games to help fulfil the goal of staging the greenest Olympics ever. VANOC intends to put on a carbon-neutral Games but said Thursday it would need help to buy carbon offsets for the estimated 268,000 tonnes of emissions the Games will be responsible for. Almost half of that carbon footprint — 130,000 tonnes — will be generated by Olympic spectators travelling to Vancouver to attend the Games. The organizers said they would encourage Games tourists to buy carbon offsets to balance the environmental impact of their travel. "Because of the nature of individuals taking responsibility for where they want to travel, we're trying to make it easy," said VANOC corporate sustainability officer Ann Duffy. Duffy said the hope is that, "people include this in some of their decisions to travel and enjoy the Games."

A VANOC-sanctioned website — offsetters.ca — was suggested as one place where tourists could calculate and pay for their carbon offsets. The website acts as a brokerage, connecting individuals and corporations to offset projects to which they can contribute. Such projects include programs in which carbon-absorbing tracts of forest land are set aside for certain periods of time, making up for activities that generate greenhouse gases. Other projects intend to capture excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it underground.

A family of four flying to Vancouver from Toronto that wanted to participate in the program would pay about $140 for their offsets, according to the website.The same family driving from Kamloops, B.C., and back would incur just a $5 offset.

VANOC said it would only take responsibility for offsetting the estimated 118,000 tonnes of direct emissions from the Games that have been generated by venue construction and athletes' travel. "One has to draw the line somewhere," said Duffy. "We're doing some heavy lifting in terms of covering the footprint for our direct operations." VANOC anticipates that sponsors and governments will pick up the offset costs for the estimated 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions not paid for by organizers and Games tourists.

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Carbon offset program a sham, says B.C. MLA

Mayes on Environment

Thu, 2009-12-31 08:49. Kate Bouey - Vernon 105.7 SUNFM:

Okanagan Shuswap MP Colin Mayes has come out swinging after criticism over his views on global warming. The MP, who's just returned from a holiday, has rejected calls for a local debate on the issue and insists his views have been misinterpreted for political reasons, insisting detractors just want to criticize him and the Conservative government. Mayes says he's all for cleaning up the environment but he still calls for more research into global warming. Mayes, who sent out an e-mail recently stating the cause of climate warming has yet to be substantiated.He's rejected calls from Green Candidate, Huguette Allen for a debate on the matter.

Mayes stands by opinion on climate change

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 29, 2009 7:00 PM

Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is fighting off claims he refutes global warming. Mayes, who returned home from a vacation Monday, says the recent controversy about e-mails he sent out on climate change is misleading. “I didn’t say there wasn’t climate change. Climate change is happening all of the time,” he told The Morning Star. “But the question is global warming and what are the reasons for it. There is a lot of information out there and a lot of conflicting data that needs to be resolved.” In the e-mails to constituents, Mayes says, “Climate warming is happening. Just what the cause is has yet to be substantiated. Is it C02 in the atmosphere, sun activity or cyclical? Is this a trend that will change as we have seen recently in cooling of temperatures and rebuilding of ice caps?” He goes on to write, “I am careful not to over react and spend billions of taxpayer dollars because a few scientists say C02 is causing the planet to warm. Scientists, when I went to school, said there was a coming ice age. They also said that the ozone layer was disappearing over the Arctic. “Scientists theorize many things, some prove to be true, some not. I want to make certain when I vote, my vote is supported by sound scientific facts and less media hype.”

While being interviewed, Mayes stands by his views. “I have never said I am a denier. I am just saying we shouldn’t move too quickly before we have all of the data and make good decisions,” he said. Mayes supports the federal government’s role at the recent Copenhagen climate change conference, and says there is a need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to be better stewards of the environment. “We can’t keep doing the same things we’ve been doing,” he said. On a related matter, Mayes is wondering who has set up a website that looks like his own website but contains news articles and press releases that criticize his opinions on climate change. However, he isn’t surprised that someone has done this. “There are always folks who have different opinions and agreements with you. People want to jump on you,” he said.

Regional district not buying carbon credits

Arthur Williams - Prince George Free Press Published: December 28, 2009 10:00 AM
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has backed away from purchasing carbon offsets to achieve carbon neutrality 2012. In June the board reviewed the initial draft of a new climate change action plan. The plan committed the district to a 15 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2012 and to purchase offsets for the remaining emissions. By 2020 the district is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent. "This particular draft has taken a step back from that," district administrator Jim Martin said. "The plan itself doesn't commit us to buy offsets. It says we may buy offsets." In June district directors raised concerns about purchasing offsets from the Pacific Carbon Trust - an agency formed by the Union of B.C. Municipalities to buy and sell carbon offsets from local governments. Until the details of how "cap and trade" regulation will work B.C. are available, it is premature to commit to buying carbon offsets, Martin said.

Directors previously suggested that money could be spent on local offset projects, rather than purchased from the trust. The regional district, as a corporate entity, produces approximately 1,020 tonnes of carbon dioxide (or equivalent) per year. Approximately half of that comes from the operation of the district's fleet and buildings. Retrofits to the district's buildings could be done for approximately $200,000, paid out of the The improvements would reduce emissions by approximately 94 tonnes per year and save the district $34,000 per year in utility costs. Developing an anti-idling policy, purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles and developing a fuel monitoring system could save 3,000 L of gasoline and 4,500 L of diesel per year – reducing emissions by 20 tonnes per year. "It just makes good financial sense," Martin said.

Only municipalities which participate in the Climate Action Charter are eligible for carbon tax rebates, he added, "If we don't act on climate change, not only will our long-term costs increase, our human quality of life will decrease," director Debora Munoz said. The revised plan was approved unanimously by the board of directors, with the exception of director Bob Headrick. "I'm not 100 per cent sold on this green thing," Headrick said. "I think we should be very cautious with this." The carbon tax is being paid by local residents and businesses, he said. Headrick said leaving that money in the pockets of taxpayers to deal with climate change on a personal level, if they choose, would be a better option. "Who put the money in the pot? People did. I think we should leave it up to them to spend it. They know what's best."

Mayes has little faith in science

December 22, 2009 6:00 PM Salmon Arm Observer:
Anyone who believes that dinosaurs no longer roam the earth need only look to Canada for evidence to the contrary. Our federal government’s fervor for fossil fuels, and its ponderous pace toward cleaner energy technologies, resulted in Canada being the laughing stock of the recent climate change summit in Copenhagen. Appropriately, Canada was awarded the summit’s Fossil of the Year award by the Climate Action Network.

Meanwhile, back in Canada, Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is being tarred by critics over an e-mail to constituents about climate change. In it, the Conservative backbencher downplays the human impact on global warming, and states he is careful “not to overreact and spend billions of taxpayer dollars because a few scientists say Co2 is causing the planet to warm.” Mayes goes on to explain, matter-of-factly, that the polar ice caps are rebuilding, despite innumerable news stories relaying scientific studies stating the opposite. For further enlightenment, Mayes recommends the book Climate Confusion by Dr. Roy Spencer, a prominent global warming skeptic, and advisor for the Interfaith Stewardship Alliance which has argued that “global warming is not a consensus issue, and our love for the creator and respect for his creation does not require us to take a position.” Mayes, Harper and company have demonstrated little will to be responsible global leaders on climate change. Instead, they would seem to prefer we continue down the path of the dinosaurs.

Tory MP feels the heat

Allison Render 2009-12-22 Kelowna Daily Courier:
A local MP is under fire for denying humans are causing climate change. International environmental group Climate Action Network has released emails sent by Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes to constituents. In a series of nearly identical emails, the Conservative MP wrote the cause of global warming “has yet to be substantiated,” and suggested the cause could also be sun activity or “cyclical.” “I am careful not to over react and spend billions of taxpayer dollars because a few scientists say CO2 is causing the planet to warm,” Mayes wrote. “Scientists theorise many things, some prove to be true some not. I want to make certain when I vote my vote is supported by sound scientific facts and less media hype.”

Janet A. Denison received one of the emails and said she was surprised by the statement that only a few scientists support climate change. “I was wondering how many other people in the party share that point of view … to be debating the science, I though we got over that several years ago,” she said. The federal Conservative government has not publicly supported Mayes‘ statements. Okanagan-Shuswap Green Party candidate Huguette Allen has challenged Mayes to a debate on the science of climate change. “This lack of knowledge is much too important to let it go on. I want to ensure he understands the science so he can properly represent his constituents on this crucial issue and pressure government to reduce emissions quickly and decisively,” Allen said. Allen said she was not surprised by the comments, but that she thinks many of Mayes‘ constituents are unaware of the “depth of his misunderstanding.”

A 2007 United Nations report by the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said global warming is “unequivocal” and said it was “very likely” that the increases in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution are to blame. Most major science academies worldwide, including the Royal Society of Canada, agree that human activity is causing climate change.

Ron Cannan, Conservative MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, said climate change is an issue “of concern to many Canadians,” but would not comment on Mayes‘ emails. “Our approach to resolving (climate change) must be balanced between respecting the environment and our economic sustainability,” Cannan said. “We all have a role to play in reducing our carbon footprint.” Last week, world leaders met in Copenhagen to create a new agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide produced from burning fossil fuels. The Canadian government was criticized by environmentalists for its approach to cutting emissions.
“Given the disgraceful and obstructive behaviour of the Harper government in Copenhagen, and the revelation of their secret plan to let emissions rise, it is a legitimate question to ask if Prime Minister Harper shares his MP‘s views on the science of climate change,” Graham Saul of Climate Action Network Canada said in a release. Mayes was unavailable for comment.

Green Candidate Challenges Conservative MP to Debate on Climate Science.

PRESS RELEASE December 19, 2009

LUMBY - While the world pressures leaders to reach consensus on addressing global warming, Colin Mayes, Conservative MP in the BC riding of Okanagan-Shuswap claims only "a few scientists" believe CO2 causes global warming and that the cause has yet to be substantiated. In an email sent to a constituent earlier this week, Colin Mayes admits not knowing the cause of global warming and states that temperatures are now cooling and the ice caps are rebuilding.

"To be represented by a man who has so little understanding of science is scary" says Huguette Allen, Green Party MP candidate in Okanagan Shuswap. "We live in a world where complexity is the norm. Mr. Mayes has often uttered statements that prove an anti-science bias. Can someone who has an anti-science bias take wise decisions? One wonders what guides his thinking." Although the Harper government has not publicly supported Mayes' statements, Canada's inaction and stance in Copenhagen seem to indicate the same lack of respect for and understanding of science. "While climate scientists tell us emissions must steeply decline by no later than 2015, Canada seems willing to continue on increasing emissions until we are past the point of no return" continues Allen.

Allen has now issued a challenge to Mayes, asking him to attend a debate with her on the science of climate change, saying : "This lack of knowledge is much too important to let it go on. I want to ensure he understands the science so he can properly represent his constituents on this crucial issue and pressure government to reduce emissions quickly and decisively." She has offered to meet with him publicly anytime after December 29th and will inform media and the population as soon as an answer is received.

For more information:
Huguette Allen
Green Party MP Candidate
250-547-0272