Gore Calls Canada Climate Plan a ‘Fraud’
TORONTO - Al Gore condemned Canada’s new plan to reduce greenhouse gases, saying it was “a complete and total fraud” because it lacks specifics and gives industry a way to actually increase emissions.Under the initiative announced Thursday, Canada aims to reduce the current level of greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020.
But the government acknowledged it would not meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, which requires 35 industrialized countries to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. 
The country’s emissions are now 30 percent above 1990 levels.
The conservative government’s strategy focuses both on reducing emissions of gases blamed for global warming and improving air quality. But the plan failed to spell out what many of its regulations will look like.
Gore said the plan did not make clear how Canada would reach its 2020 emissions goal. He also criticized the plan for allowing industries to pollute more if they use emissions-cutting technologies while increasing production.
“In my opinion, it is a complete and total fraud,” Gore said Saturday. “It is designed to mislead the Canadian people.”
He said “intensity reduction” - which allow industries to increase their greenhouse gas outputs as they raise production - was a poll-tested phrase developed by think tanks financed by Exxon Mobil and other large polluters.
Canadian Environment Minister John Baird rejected Gore’s criticisms.
“The fact is our plan is vastly tougher than any measures introduced by the administration of which the former vice president was a member,” Baird said in a statement.
Baird also invited Gore to discuss climate change and the government’s environmental policies with him.
Gore was in Toronto to present his documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” at a consumer environmental show. He acknowledged that as an American, he had “no right to interfere” in Canadian decision.
However, he said, the rest of the world looks to Canada for moral leadership, and that was why Thursday’s announcement was so “shocking.”
Canadian opposition Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Sunday that Gore was right.
“Mr. Baird is embarrassing Canada around the world,” Dion said. “The world expects Canada will do its share - more than that, that Canada will be a leader and we are failing the world. We are failing Canadians.”
Copyright 2007 Associated Press.
America’s new friend Canada.. Shame really as it was really based on the European model of progressive western democracy it’d be shame if it became the right wing lap dog to the new fascist police state, the USA
Bring Down the Tyrants of Castle North America.
The problem with Gore’s statement:“In my opinion, it is a complete and total fraud,” Gore said Saturday. “It is designed to mislead the Canadian people” is that we know it. In all recent polls, the environment and the way that the Harpie government is dealing with it is highly negative for “Steve” and shows increasing concern about the lack of action by that minority governing body.
When a government tells its populace that they will action environmental control as long as it does not affect the profit makers, we know that it is not a good deal. Harper and his Harpies nearly lost governance in a vote of non-confidence last time he tried that one out. They had to back away to stay in power. This too shall not pass. We want our air as clean as possible and our water as drinkable as possible (and no, it is not for sale as proposed by the same Harpie government). We, unlike many in other Western countries, do think to the future of our children and grandchildren and theirs.
gore is the fraud . you americians should impeach him for being braindead……..if you think mr.dion in canada ;the leader of the largest group of liars in canada,would do any different or even any better you have only to look at the past opportunities his”party” had and shrugged off or sunk
he is strictly a political opportunist
Neither of the two leading Canadian political parties diverge much from what the plutocracy wants. They essentially take turns carrying the ball for high powered special interest groups, sort of like the Reps and Dems in USA.
Gore is correct.
Seems so odd that Canada is so out of step, while Canadian governments try to bust universal health care the USA government is speaking (at least out one side of it’s mouth) of creating universal coverage. While Harpo and Co deny and decry Kyoto, United Statsian’s of stature (along with the average Canuck) are recognizing the ecological threat of climate change.
It is painfully apparent whose interests the likes of ‘Steve’ Harper and George Bush serve.
Remember the Mac Paps!
Interesting! Al Gore rails against the Canadians while he pays a combined light and gas bill amounting to a $2600 per month budget for his Nashville Palace. Oh yes, Al Gore pays $600 per month for natural gas JUST TO HEAT THE POOL. What he pays in one year to heat the pool would heat my house for about 11 years.
It amazes me that so many folks refuse to acknowledge his rank hypocrisy.
The Canadian Conservative or Tory plan to solve the global warming problem is a fraud, but so is the Kyoto Protocol, which is nothing more than something providing for the market to “solve’ the problem. The market created the problem, and it sure as hell isn’t going to solve it. Get real! It’s just the case that Stephen Harper’s Conservative gang don’t even make any bones about even trying to solve the problem. But that’s great, as could lead to their complete and absolute defeat. Actually I’d prefer the Liberals get another victory and minority government and be completely dependent on NDP support to carry on.
With Al Gore endorsing the Kyoto Protocol and similar band aids, he looks pretty much like a fraud. I wouldn’t trust anybody who pushed so hard to create the DLC in the USA.
In reference to wdzeller’s response above - I am tired of this misleading right wing canard! Gore spends so much on electricity because he specifically gets his electricity from renewable carbon neutral energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, etc. Furthermore, he is in the process of installing PV solar on his house to further reduce his carbon impact. It is not about how much he spends on energy it is about how much greenhouse gases are created by his energy use. That is the whole point!
As to the $600 to heat his pool - how do you know he pays that much to specifically heat a pool? My electricity bill does not say how much it costs me to heat the water for my shower! And, if it only costs you $54 per month in energy then you must have a mighty small home. My bill avarages around $180 per month after replacing most of my light bulbs with CFLs as well as recently replacing my heat pump with a newer high efficiency one.
Stop spouting BS put out by right wing think tanks funded by Exxon/Mobil.
I changed my mind, as Ralph Waldo Emerson would have, believing as he did that “A foolish consistency is the silly hobgoblin of small minds.” Al Gore is a fraud, by his support for the market on a broad range of policy issues which shows, he supports keeping the problem where it is, but pretending, and that’s all it is, to do something about it. We don’t need an act, but the real deal, and Gore ain’t it. That’s from a left winger who is the real deal. Deal with it!
Stop shooting the messenger! “Let he without sin among you cast the first stone.” There are doctors that smoke, but they still save lives. Every one in a body is working on their issues (or avoiding them). If we were already in a state of perfection, earth would NOT be our school. Gore is a champion of policy changes that are in dire need of implementation. It’s easier to keep living grossly materialistic thoughtless existences that place no onus for lifestyle changes on you, then to OWN the truth of what he says. Inconvenient, but important!
Siouxrose, Your sweet! I rent a oil heated home and managment won’t let me fill it with bio, like it would change anything really, but my backyard looks great with food and native plants! Isn’t that where we should start? Along with impeachment? I vote with my dollar! Citgo, if I have to! Now, what would you do with the money to have a 40,000sqf house and live and play too, silly rabbits? Buy a shack? Heat it with hand warmers? Whats up AD, Wdzeller?
Can we really expect more of Canada when the United States is unwilling to lead? When the United States refused to sign the Kyoto Accords? When we have a president who only recently has been able to utter the words “global warming?” Immediate replacement of this president would be the best plan for our survival. Let’s IMPEACH!!!
I’m sure that Al Gore’s carbon footprint is bigger than the average American’s or Canadian’s footprint. But I’m just curious, how does wdzeller know what Al Gore pays to heat his house and pool?
A large element of Canadian leaders envy the fascists to the south. Hang on my northern neighbors you are in for a rough ride.
Watch out for a ‘Reagan’ like affable grandfather type to tell you government is the problem. When that thinking gets power, MAN, will they prove it!
The issue is whether or not Canada’s plan to reduce greenhouse gasses is fraudulent. Not whether or not Al Gore is a fraud. That is a separate issue.
wdzeller:
The temptation to equate the messenger with the message is as old as history.
At least Gore is buying renewable energy credits for all the energy he uses. Are you?
Re: Gore and energy
Why not check out what Olberman had to say about that?
Youtube search: “Olberman Gore Energy”
“George” Harper’s fraud:
As David Suzuki said on The Hour: “He has his nose SO far up George Bush’s backside….”
If anybody is still wondering what is happening, check out the Council of Canadians ( http://www.canadians.org/ ) and what Maude Barlow has to say about the so-called SPP (Security and Prosperity Partnership”
We’re sunk, we just don’t quite feel it yet.
- Frog-in-pan syndrome
AD: “Actually I’d prefer the Liberals get another victory and minority government and be completely dependent on NDP support to carry on.”
Good, but what I’d like for x-mas is a Green minority under Elizabeth May with NDP or Liberal support.
OTOH, we may already have gone over the falls so it may no longer matter which way we paddle. We just haven’t hit bottom yet.
Dear Jem:
I’m going to respond to you as follows:
Jem says “In reference to wdzeller’s response above - I am tired of this misleading right wing canard!”
No, dear. This isn’t a “right wind carnard”. I’m not even a Republican! This is all based upon public domain information; i.e., the publics’ right to know. You have merely launched an Ad Hominem attack against me without addressing one fact.
Jem says, “Gore spends so much on electricity because he specifically gets his electricity from renewable carbon neutral energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, etc.
No, Jem, Al gore doesn’t spend one fucking dime on so-called carbon credits. He gets these “credits” free gratia as a fringe benefit of being an employee of a financial firm that “markets” carbon-credits. Oh, by the way, he owns the company! NO ONE DISPUTES THIS LAST FACT.
Jem says, “Furthermore, he is in the process of installing PV solar on his house to further reduce his carbon impact. It is not about how much he spends on energy it is about how much greenhouse gases are created by his energy use. That is the whole point!”
Jem, like many fools you don’t know one damn thing about energy at all, especially so-called environmentally friendly solar energy. You see, my dear, after you figure in facts such as December solar insolation inefficiencies (multi-day cloud cover!), and battery inefficiencies (20% after about only 3 years of service!), and photovoltaic decline (about 2.5% a year), you’ll find that a 100 Watt cell is only capable of delivering about 2 Watts over a 20 year lifespan. There’s not enough surface area on his entire mansion much less the whole damn estate to provide enough space to even begin to supply his palacial energy requirements!
Jem says, “As to the $600 to heat his pool - how do you know he pays that much to specifically heat a pool?”
Jem, This is public information. Al Gore doesn’t dispute this, you know!
Also, Jem says,” My electricity bill does not say how much it costs me to heat the water for my shower!”
Irrelevant-public knowledge again!
Next, Jem says, “And, if it only costs you $54 per month in energy then you must have a mighty small home. My bill avarages around $180 per month after replacing most of my light bulbs with CFLs as well as recently replacing my heat pump with a newer high efficiency one.”
A perfect example of comparing apples and orages! By the way, I’m a physics instructor and a heating engineer to boot. I spend about $600 in GAS PER WINTER to HEAT my 1931 built, 1150 square foot house. I said nothing about the other stuff. If you’re heating with electricity, well, you have a problem I’d say. Tell me how many square feet you house is, how much insulation you have, the city, and your electric rates and in an hour I’ll tell you about what you spend just to heat it.
Finally Jem says, “Stop spouting BS put out by right wing think tanks funded by Exxon/Mobil.”
When all else fails, fall back on the Ad Hominem attacks!
It’s too bad Al Gore doesn’t live like Australopithecus; it would be much more difficult to find fault with him. Of course it would also be difficult for him to get his message out what with no traveling, no computer, etc.
For those who have latched onto this one criticism of him, I would like to ask them to name one individual who has done more for the environment. Mr. Gore was researching climate change and trying to educate people decades ago. At that time it probably hurt him a great deal politically, yet he persisted. He has already proved his prescience. Why not attack the leaders who have done nothing for the environment–(Specifically almost everyone else) instead of attacking Gore for not being perfect.
available now, reduces green house gases, needs political will. free public transit - the beginning of the end of autos.
http://www.freepublictransit.org
wdzeller still hasn’t answered the question. How does he know how much Gore spends heating his pool? Don’t just say it’s public knowledge. Tell us where we can find it. If wdzeller actually has the information he could easily tell us where he got it. Then we could all see it too.