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Friday, January 21, 2005
Letters to the Editor
The Globe and Mail
444 Front Street W.
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2S9
Re: The way out of Kyoto
Dear Editor,
Many who participated in national Kyoto studies knew Canada could not put technology in place to meet the commitment time target of 2008 to 2012. I reminded federal officials that the accord allows carryover of commitments past 2012. I earnestly suggested that Kyoto risk might be countered by using the carryover provision to buy time for technology development. My comments were documented. Readers may Google ("Report on the Calgary Workshop", "June 14, 2002") and ("Reflections on the National Stakeholders Meeting") for details.
Seemingly, our government’s position on Kyoto has evolved to consider that approach. (“Kyoto targets may be met later, Martin says”, Wednesday, January, 19, 2005).
My thinking has evolved too. Now we need a way out of Kyoto. Prime Minister Martin reportedly mentioned that many countries will not meet their targets. Perhaps Canada plans to continue implementing ineffective actions on Kyoto till most countries acknowledge failure. Canada will then be off the hook and positioned to claim a valiant effort to comply. I personally don’t find that strategy to avoid the Kyoto commitment as palatable as the straight forward position taken by the United States. It is a way out.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast