30 Fairmont Park Lane S
Lethbridge, AB
T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1804
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z7
Kyoto requirements not well understood
Dear Editor,
The media has been full of stories on Bill C-288 which calls for enforcement of Kyoto. I noticed they seem to get the Kyoto target wrong almost every time. A little research confirmed my initial impression. Around 90% incorrectly report the target as a “6-per-cent emissions drop from 1990 levels by 2012”.
Kyoto actually requires Canada to reduce her average annual greenhouse gas emissions during the period 2008-2012 to six per cent below their level in 1990”.
That is a huge difference. Kyoto calls on us on to reach the target, and hold to it, in just 10 months - not a relaxed six years off in the future.
The Kyoto target was established nearly ten years ago. Surely even the thickest members of the media would have it right by now. Why would reporters phrase their stories to make the target seem even remotely achievable? Perhaps they are so keen to support the hapless Kyoto “solution” to potential global warming, that a big white lie is deemed the right thing to do.
The only aspect of Kyoto that Canada should recognize and comply with is the withdrawal clause. Canadians need to wake up and insist their government proceed with that forthwith.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast