The Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of the Environment
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
10 Wellington Street, 28th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Dear Minister Prentice
During our conversation at the Conservative Convention 08 in Winnipeg I raised my concern with the closure of a major federal government website related to climate change. It publicly documented studies undertaken by the National Climate Change Process to evaluate technologies and policies to manage atmospheric greenhouse gases. I’d written to previous Ministers of the Environment on the issue and you asked that I send you copies of those letters. They are attached for your perusal.
I did receive acknowledgement of my letter to Minister Ambrose. In addition Alex Manson, from Environment Canada, called me early in 2008 in response to my letter to Minister Baird. At the time he indicated he might be able to get me a copy of the website material. I indicated I thought it should be easily available to all. I haven’t heard more from anyone.
I believe the studies undertaken by the National Climate Change Process were quite fundamental in explaining to Canadians in particular, and the world in general, what might be done to manage greenhouse gases. That work has formed the basis for some subsequent federal studies such as one done to evaluate the costs of complying with Kyoto undertaken by Environment Canada in 2007.
Perhaps the information developed by the former National Climate Change Process could be combined with subsequent reports to form the basis of a new website to inform Canadians of the history and current status of greenhouse gas management concepts. People in other countries would likely be interested too. Canada did have a ten year head start relative to the US because of our Kyoto involvement. Our experience could be helpful to future efforts with them and other countries to consider and balance the risks posed by climate change, and our response to that, with other risks to the environment and economy.
Climate change and greenhouse gas mangement are very difficult issues to resolve. Many independent researchers are interested and can come up with useful ideas and solutions for consideration. Easily available data and knowledge of past and present policy initiatives are essential for them to contribute. A website is a great way to disseminate such information at minimal cost.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast, Ph.D., P. Eng.
cc. Hon. Rick Casson, MP