Christine Simmons Romani, OP Contributor Global warming is said to be caused by our carbon emis- sions—we know, we know. These days there is so much buzz on the subject it’s hard to keep the facts about greenhouse emissions straight. Even worse, it seems to be a problem that is far too large for any one individual to do anything about. Let’s face it, the global warming issue is overwhelmingly dire, and how just how bad it will be depends on many untraceable ’ variables. Even so, many Canadians feel their individual car- bon emissions are insubstantial considering the larger picture, and jump into their cars and toot around town like always. So what can be done? Here’s a possible solution to global warming: carbon emis- sions ration cards. Ration cards could be the only way to place the greenhouse gas dilemma directly into the hands of every Canadian. Ration cards could become our unblinking reminder about global warming. Every time we purchase an airline ticket, every time we purchase a train ticket, every time we fill up our gas tanks, we make a conscious choice to deplete our Earth’s fossil fuels. If we punctuate every fossil fuel transaction with a swipe of a ration card, we would be forced to rethink our gas-powered lifestyles. Because we would have a finite amount of carbon emission credits, we would be forced to consider our greenhouse gas production. Ration cards would help us heal our planet, and as a result, save ourselves. David Adam of The Guardian, a British online news source, recently discussed a radical plan put forth ky the UK government. Carbon swipe cards are being considered to be issued for all UK citizens without exception. The UK carbon ill Ration Cards Finally Curb Our Gluttony for Fossil Fuels? catds would have a preset annual emissions limit and would be swiped at time of purchase of all non-renewable energy usage. As an additional incentive, unused carbon points could be sold for cash at a central bank. Ration cards:are not the only innovative idea being consid- ered to involve people in reducing their emissions. Here in Canada, The David Suzuki Foundation puts forth another cut- ting-edge plan: “Carbon Neutral.” Carbon Neutral proposes that every Canadian voluntarily purchases carbon offsets to neutralize our individual impact. The rationale is that as we add emissions into the atmosphere, so we should purchase credits towards emission-reducing products, such as wind farms and solar power. The Suzuki website emphasizes the value we place on our greenhouse gas emissions now will pre- pare us for the taxes and regulations that will inevitably be slapped on us...cegulations will arrive in the all-too-near future. Us Canadians seem to enjoy living our lives in global warming denial. Even as we read the polluted writing on the wall, we think little of jumping into our SUVs and picking up the kids from school that’s only a three block drive from home. Why don’t we just resist arbitrary vehicular pollution? Why don’t we just get out of our automobiles and walk? It’s not that we can’t grasp at an intelligent level the dire warnings from scientists about the future of our lives on a warmer planet. The fact is we don’t want to make big lifestyle changes. After all, other than a few unusual storms, none of this global warming business has affected our Canadian way of life too much. Not yet, anyway. Matters David Suzuki, David Suzuki Foundation ve never been this exhausted, or this exhila- ted. It’s only been a week and already I’m yetwhelmed by the response from anadians concerned about our health and r environment. Even in winter, traveling across Canada is inspiring experience. Our country is so st and our peoples so varied, one wonders at holds it all together. Weather and geog- phy may provide some of the glue, but uch more than that, I think there is a com- on set of values that Canadians hold dear. Those values include a strong desire to ke care of our collective home, a desire to p a collaborative player in the international »mmunity, and an openness to new ideas d innovations. One thing has been abundantly clear: anadians, at least those who I have spoken , are more than ready for change. They lant to make environmentally responsible oices, but are frustrated by the lack of pinionsubmit@hotmail.com Canadians diverse forests. options and the lack of support from their elected leaders. In Newfoundland and Labrador, I heard stories of families split apart by the tar sands. Those left at home are grateful for the incomes their loved ones are able send, but they are torn by concerns about the inherent unsustainability of the industry, and what its continued development will mean for global warming and for future generations. And many would rather be “back home.” In New Brunswick, people told me they were worried about their province being too heavily tied to a single corporation that is expanding fossil fuel development. While we still need fossil fuels, local concerns centered around a lack of economic diversity and a continued reliance on raw resources. Those concerns were echoed in forestry practices, - with many people saying that logging was continuing at an unsustainable pace, and that mono-cultured tree plantations were replacing In Nova Scotia, I was grateful to be able to spend some time with renowned biologist ‘Ransom Myers, whose work on the depletion of the planet’s fish stocks sounded a warning to the world. And in Prince Edward Island, we felt the pride of a province that has a plan to be entirely powered by green energy. At each stop, ’ve been asked which politi- cal party I support. And my answer is always the same—none. My tour is certainly political, in that the biggest sticking point towards environmental progress in this country lies in our elected leaders, especially at a federal level. But it is strictly non-partisan. Environmental sustainability should not be’a partisan issue. We all need clean air, water and fertile soil. We all need jobs and a sustainable economy that does not deplete the natural services we all ultimately depend on for our health and survival. And now that all parties are responding to the polls and talking green, maybe we can actually get some strong legis- lation without any party paying a price for it. And what I hear from Canadians is frus- tration that environmental progress has been bogged down by partisan fighting. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether we have a minority or majority government, headed by the Conservatives, the Liberals, the NDP or the Greens. What matters is that we start taking serious steps towards improving Canada’s environmental progress. Serious steps, not just party rhetoric. I write this as. we pull into beautiful Montreal at sunset. Quebec has been an inspiration, with more ideas and solutions here than anywhere yet. To beat global warm- ing and put Canada back on track, we need to learn from those solutions and let them be the glue that binds this country together. Find out more about the ‘If YOU were Prime Minister...” tour-at www.davidsuzuki.org.