Science Matters David Suzuki, David Suzuki Foundation echt now, the environment is hot. Literally id figuratively. Much of North America has dly had a winter this year, and the media d politicians have finally caught on to the t that Canadians now cite environmental ues as among their biggest concerns. You know the environment has become big deal when Alberta’s own Stephen hrper starts talking about it. He’s doing it ough gritted teeth, certainly, but he knows has to say something. Polling shows that s patty is very vulnerable on the issue. As Il it should be, considering his lame efforts date. But while the public is pushing Prime ister Harper forward, some pundits are shing him back, saying that Canadians pn’t ready for real change. They insist that leader who tries to make the changes cessary to curb global warming and put ada on the path to being an environmen- leader will suffer politically because adians don’t really want to pay for a aner environment, even if they say they Wrong—on at least two accounts. First, llution and poor environmental practices Canadians Aren't Afraid are already costing us dearly in terms of our health and our international reputation, as well as in cold, hard cash. We spend billions on the health affects of air pollution alone. Second, Canadians know that real envi- ronmental change can only be accomplished if we all take part. That requires domestic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions with- in a global framework like Kyoto. And it requires changes in rules and laws to ensure that we all are playing on an even field. This is the role of government—to work with other nations internationally, and develop policies domestically, to encourage more sus- tainable choices and behaviours. Free market ideologues might now be jumping up and down screaming about how government shouldn’t interfere in the market. Nonsense. As Canada’s great economic thinker John Kenneth Galbraith pointed out, government has a clear role in making the market work towards a common goal. Canada, as all other industrialized nations, has never had a pure market economy. Government has always played a role in the expansion and shaping of the Canadian economy, from the building of the railroad to creation of the Auto Pact. Industry responds to more than price signals in the market. Fiscal policy (such as taxes and subsi- dies) as well as regulations, also guides deci- sion-making in corporate boardrooms. The free market wonks are right in that Canadians who really want environmentally sustainable goods and services can already hunt them down and purchase them. But the fact that so many of us don’t choose more sustainable options is not because we don’t care or aren't willing to pay slightly more for them, but because we don’t have enough information, can’t find the best options or don’t know where to look. And when we do find them, because of subsidies or rules favouring the status quo, the most sustain- able option can be prohibitively expensive. Government's role is to advance the pub- lic good. On the environment, that means enacting visionary new laws and policies to move us towards a sustainable economy. Certainly, there would be griping and moan- ing and complaining from some circles. But the reality is, Canadians are tough and practi- cal. We know that our environmental record stinks and we know that global warming is a very serious problem that will harm our health and our economy. We're willing to pull _ up our bootstraps to make things happen. - But we need direction from our leaders to ensure that everyone plays by the same rules. It’s only fair. Polls show that Canadians are genuinely concerned about our country’s flagging envi- ronmental record and what that means for our health and our future. They are expecting politicians at all levels to be upfront, prag- matic and committed to working towards a more environmentally sustainable future. Politicians and pundits can squabble amongst each other about the public’s appetite for change, but the public is already ahead of them. And this time, lame efforts won’t cut it. Take the Nature Challenge and learn more at www. davidsuzuki.org. < ; ‘ os, s ” 3 The First Round on Me Four million and counting, that’s the amount Enone Rosas deposited into her account a couple of weeks ago as the winner of the Lotto 6/49. Upon realizing that she was the newest multi-millionaire on her block, she fainted—not once, but twice. Soon after, she told her husband the good news; shortly, he quit one of his two jobs. The poor fellow hadn’t taken a day off in ten years. Stories of hard working people who strike it big warm up my otherwise self-centered lit- tle heart. As a child I recall the grand illusion that one day I would be the winner of a mil- lion dollars. I remember thinking from that day on I would be able to buy whatever my little heart desired—which at that time was a shopping list branded with sour candy labels and mountains of cheeseburgers—and maybe if I had enough money left over I would buy my mom a new blender, or something nice like that. I was quite thoughtful in my younger years. ~ I have celebrated many birthdays since those dreams of grandeur. And in the last couple of years I have awakened to the reali- ties of a booming real estate market, and the Denis Orellana, OP Contributor fact that I may never see that greasy moun- tain of cheeseburgers I longed for as a child. The thought of a million dollars just isn’t as appealing as it used to be, I need more. The only time I play the lotto nowadays is when the jackpot is in the double digits. But even then I get discouraged at the thought that if I lived in the US or Europe I would have a chance at one of those mega jackpots that reach the hundred million mark. Those winnings make a couple of million dollars seem like pocket change. My idea of lotto rich involves a huge mansion; several fancy cars, the trophy wife, and being labeled “new money.” I do realize this is probably the reason why I will never be one of those deserving people like Enone Rosas and her husband who are now enjoying a well-deserved holiday. In my hands, these measly lotto winnings would pay off. my parent’s mortgage, a condo out in the boonies, and the first round at the bar. And if the tender was lucky enough he might even get tipped. Needless to say— sorty honey, no diamond ring yet, a couple of T million just isn’t enough.