30 Fairmont Park Lane S
Lethbridge, AB
T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1804
Friday, July 22, 2005
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge
AB, T1J 3Z7
Dear Editor,
The Canadian Press article on government ads urging us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is revealing and disturbing. (“Quebec doesn’t buy One-Tonne Challenge”, July 11, A9) Instead of commenting on the success of the One-Tonne Challenge in terms of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the article deems the ads in English Canada a success as people remember seeing them. The source of this foolishness is the polling firm Environics Research Group. Environics suggests the next phase of the ads should be a “call to action”.
Some Canadians propose the federal government’s actions on Kyoto amount to little more than the creation of a taxpayer funded election issue which the party in power controls. The apparent strategy starts with the bombardment of Canadians with ever more extravagant and excessive publication and advertising on the hazards of climate change. Compliance with Kyoto restrictions is said to be the solution. Polls are commissioned which indicate Canadians are in favor of complying with Kyoto. More Canadians are convinced Kyoto must be a good thing. Our government reiterates their intent to comply with Kyoto. These actions are repeated. We are expected to vote accordingly.
The close relationship between government action, advertising, and polling evident in the article lends credence to those who advise that is the essence of our governments Kyoto strategy.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast