The uselessness of Canada's climate alarmism

[Anonymous]

The Fallacy Of Green Thinking



Bjorn Lomborg is correct that man-made climate change from now on is a comparatively minor global problem amongst many others, that could be much cheaper to address and would have vastly more worthwhile results.



Any extra, relatively minor warming is likely to be advantageous rather than detrimental.



Man-made global warming is not an immediate and existential global catastrophe caused by the burning of fossil fuels.



The problem of man-made climate change has been deliberately blown out of all proportion and is used as a mechanism to undermine the West.



There is no reason to destroy the economy of the West to combat man-made global warming.



The logarithmic diminution of the effectiveness of CO2 as a warming agent means that any future man-made CO2 emissions can only ever be marginal.



This view is well-rehearsed by Professor Will Happer, former scientific advisor to the US government. It is also well understood by the IPCC, (the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).



It is included in their detailed reports, but the crucial diminution effect, making future man-made climate change irrelevant is never admitted in the IPCC Summaries for Policy Makers.

https://climatechangedispatch.com/the-fallacy-of-green-thinking/

[Anonymous]

Every reason Trudeau gave us to justify his forced inflationary carbon tax has been false.



Trudeau's carbon tax failed to do what he promised



Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's ostensible plan to transition Canada from fossil fuels to green energy is in shambles.



When Trudeau became PM in 2015, he told Canadians that a carbon tax would create the "social licence" necessary to build oil and gas pipelines. That the profits from our increased capacity to get our oil and gas resources to tidewater and from there to international markets — as opposed to selling them at huge discounts to the U.S. —  would help pay for Canada's expensive transition to a green economy.



Seven years later, exactly none of that has happened.



Environmental activists have not stopped opposing pipelines or their global campaign against Alberta's oil sands because of Trudeau's carbon tax, which started at $10 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019 and will rise to $50 per tonne on April 1, on its way to $170 per tonne in 2030.



Trudeau's carbon tax did not stop Quebec from opposing the Energy East pipeline, which was then scrapped.



It did not stop two U.S. presidents — first Barack Obama and then Joe Biden — from killing Keystone XL, after Donald Trump briefly revived it.



It hasn't ended opposition to the Coastal Gas Link pipeline from hereditary Indigenous chiefs, although elected band councils support it.



Trudeau's carbon tax did not end opposition to the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline from British Columbia, which prompted Houston-based Kinder Morgan to abandon it in 2018, whereupon the Trudeau government bought it for $4.5 billion.



First, imposing a carbon tax would make it easier to build pipelines which would get our oil and gas resources to tidewater and from there to global markets so we weren't forced to sell them at a huge discounts to the U.S..



Second, the billions of additional dollars that would flow annually into the Canadian economy, and into federal and provincial governments through increased taxes, would help finance Canada's transition to a green energy economy.



But again, none of that happened.

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/goldstein-trudeaus-carbon-tax-failed-to-do-what-he-promised

[Anonymous]

Trudeau failed to meet his 2020 emissions target (which used to be former PM Stephen Harper's target) of reducing Canada's emissions to 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.



Even with the 2020 recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw emissions plunge globally as fewer goods and services created by using fossil fuels were purchased, Trudeau wasn't anywhere near his target.



This despite the fact Trudeau and then environment minister Catherine McKenna repeatedly assured Canadians they were on track to meet the 2020 target, which they formally set in 2016.



Trudeau's 2020 target was to lower Canada's annual emissions to 615 million tonnes.



Canada's actual 2020 emissions were 672 million tonnes — 57 million tonnes above target, the equivalent of all emissions in Canada's electricity sector in 2020 (56.2 million tonnes).



Trudeau's failure is the ninth consecutive time since 1988 that Canada's federal governments have set an emissions target and failed to achieve it, five times by Liberal governments, four times by Conservative ones. No target has ever been met. Having failed to meet his 2020 target, Trudeau now promises to reduce Canada's emissions to 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.



That's absurd. It would require the federal government to shut down the equivalent of Canada's entire oil and gas sector and entire buildings sector in eight years, and that would still miss Trudeau's target.



It would also impose a devastating recession on Canadians.



These unattainable targets make it impossible to assess whether Canadians are getting good value for money spent on "fighting" climate change, given that the taxpayers' bill is already $100 billion and rising.



Given that federal governments have failed to achieve nine consecutive emission targets going back 34 years, it's time to abandon this farce and replace it with an honest system that reports on reductions only after they have been achieved, not before.

[Anonymous]

The same people that brought energy poveryt to Ontarians are in charge of Trudeau's energy policies. Canadians will be poorer because of it.



Trudeau electricity plan could lead to blackouts, soaring bills



Electricity has been the most successful sector of the Canadian economy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, albeit at an enormous cost to provincial taxpayers and hydro ratepayers.



But a new plan by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government to achieve net zero emissions by 2035 could lead to blackouts, brownouts, soaring electricity bills and massive new debt.



Since 2001, emissions in Canada's electricity sector have plummeted from 129.2 million tonnes annually to 56.2 million tonnes in 2020, the last year for which government data are available.



Today, electricity accounts for only 8.4% of Canada's emissions and 82% of the grid is emissions free — relying on non-emitting sources of energy such as hydro and nuclear power and low-emitting natural gas.



Wind and solar power are costly bit players in this transformation — multi-billion-dollar boondoggles — because they cannot provide base load power to the electricity grid on demand.

But the success in lowering emissions came at a huge public cost — with Ontario being the case study providing a dire warning to the rest of the country.



Between 2003 and 2014 the then Liberal provincial government eliminated the use of coal to produce 25% of the province's electricity, one of the fastest reductions in emissions anywhere in North America.



But there was a staggering price paid by Ontario taxpayers and hydro ratepayers — a doubling of electricity rates in 10 years that threw thousands of households into energy poverty and contributed to the loss of hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs, in part because businesses couldn't cope with runaway electricity prices.



Now the Trudeau government has decreed Canada's electricity sector must achieve net zero emissions by 2035, 15 years earlier than the rest of the economy, even though it is the provinces that will have to do it by blowing up their electricity systems.



If a province gets this electricity transformation wrong, then all other sectors of the economy will suffer because the availability of reliable electricity is vital to all of them.



Once again, the canary in the coal mine is Ontario where the Ford Progressive Conservative government, pressured by several dozen municipal councils, has asked the operators of the province's electricity grid — already 94% emissions free — to consider achieving net zero emissions by 2030 by eliminating natural gas, five years earlier than even the Trudeau plan.



Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator responded this would cause blackouts, cost $27 billion and increase residential electricity bills, already being massively subsidized by taxpayers and ratepayers, by 60% or $100 a month.



Logically, this makes zero sense because natural gas is needed to back up intermittent wind and solar power anyway.



The Trudeau government last month released a "discussion paper" on its "Clean Electricity Standard" policy to make Canada's electricity sector achieve net zero emissions by 2035.



In a response written by Robert Lyman and Parker Gallant for the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses, a non-profit organization representing small and medium sized companies across Canada, they rightly described the discussion paper as a word salad of nonsense.



They wrote it's oblivious to the complexity of transforming the electricity grid, has no concept of the time frames needed to build new power plants and no understanding of the enormous costs.



In other words, it's another example of politicians running through the hallways with scissors because they have no understanding of energy issues and the dangers of blowing up the electricity grid in pursuit of an unattainable, ruinously expensive goal.

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/goldstein-trudeau-electricity-plan-could-lead-to-blackouts-soaring-bills

[Anonymous]

I will bet one of the biggest exports from Canada in the future will b skilled workers. There won't be opportunities to get ahead in this country.

[Anonymous]

[Thiel]

More polarization – Africa/Asia investing hundreds of billions in hydrocarbon infrastructure out of necessity, the west arranges deck chairs on the Titanic



Energy polarization is fascinating because it is so all-encompassing and the stakes can't be higher. To top it off, the West, not at all done with colonization, has decided for the umpteenth consecutive century that it will dictate how the world shall develop.



It is important to note first that Canada's energy industry is in fact moving mountains to comply with the wishes of our federal leaders. The marching orders have been given, and the oil patch has shifted accordingly. Some won't believe that, because death of the industry is an imperative (AOC, T Berman, D Suzuki, Greenpeace, Ecojustice, 350.org, and on and on), but the facts are that the oil patch is abuzz with energy transition/emissions reduction work. Progress is happening at a staggering pace.



Here's the view from the other side of the world, in a few headlines, that reflect the polar opposite of our western narrative – a desperation for survival. "India risks widespread power blackouts this summer", because coal stocks are low, and natural gas is unavailable. "Electricity shortfall hits 6000MW"; Pakistan is unable to generate enough electricity because it cannot compete with western Europe in a bidding war for natural gas. "Despite Oil and Gas Reserves, Africa Feels Pressure of Rising Energy Costs"; Africa relies heavily on imported petroleum products and is fearful of natural gas shortages that will impact fertilizer supply.



India, Pakistan and Africa are populated by 2.8 billion people, and they are running out of fuel. Running out of fuel means running out of air conditioning, food, and transport options. It is serious business. And there are a few billion more in that camp as well, I simply stopped gathering headlines after a few minutes.



Mercifully, the "advice" of western activists is being ignored. Africa is currently constructing the Dangote refinery in Nigeria, owned by an African, that will supply over 12 percent of Africa's product demand, increase fertilizer production at an associated facility, and reduce the continent's reliance on imported fuels.



Asian governments are currently building out $350 billion worth of new natural gas infrastructure. That's in addition to adding renewables as fast as they can.

https://boereport.com/2022/04/21/column-more-polarization-africa-asia-investing-hundreds-of-billions-in-hydrocarbon-infrastructure-out-of-necessity-the-west-arranges-deck-chairs-on-the-titanic/

[Anonymous]

the West, not at all done with colonization, has decided for the umpteenth consecutive century that it will dictate how the world shall develop.

That's a good point Thiel.

[Anonymous]

Global events since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 have demonstrated the futility of governments making empty promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions almost in half by 2030 and achieve "net zero" by 2050.



Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the forefront of making these unrealistic and fanciful promises, but he's hardly alone as similar commitments are being made by governments all over the world.



The reality, however, is that the only time global emissions have plummeted in the modern era were because of two events that had nothing to do with United Nations climate treaties or carbon taxes.



The first was the global recession caused by the subprime mortgage derivative scandal in 2008-09 that led to a global credit freeze, which began with massive financial fraud on Wall Street, for which almost no one went to jail.



In recessions, emissions go down because people have less money to buy goods and services, almost all of which are produced using energy generated from fossil fuels — oil, natural gas and coal.



The second was the pandemic which caused a sudden and massive reduction in domestic and international trade and travel due to pandemic restrictions on the economy imposed by governments.

[DKG]

Finance Minister and Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland will release the Trudeau regime's fiscal update today. Ottawa has a lot more money this year thanks to rising oil and natural gas royalty revenues. One thing that will be in the update is money for Canadian energy workers for training/education who want to transfer out of the industry. Energy service contractors are having a hard time finding trained workers and Ottawa is making it more difficult to fill vacancies. We are in a energy crisis and Ottawa wants to make it worse with this self destructive waste of money and another carbon tax increase on January 1 2023.

[Herman]

Jesus H, there will not be a middle class Canadian left by the time we get Justine out of office.



COMING JULY 1st – Taxpayers Better Brace for Trudeau's Two Carbon Taxes

https://energynow.ca/2023/06/coming-july-1st-taxpayers-better-brace-for-trudeaus-two-carbon-taxes/



Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a summer special for taxpayers: a second carbon tax.



On July 1, the Trudeau government's second carbon tax will take effect. Trudeau buried the tax in fuel regulations that require producers to reduce the carbon content of their fuels. If companies can't meet the requirements, they'll be forced to buy credits. Those costs will be passed onto consumers through higher pump prices.



The Parliamentary Budget Officer, the government's independent budget watchdog, recently released analysis of Trudeau's second carbon tax. In 2030, when the regulations are fully implemented, it will cost the average family up to $1,157 and will increase the price of gas by up to 17 cents per litre.



The government's own analysis shows the second carbon tax will "disproportionately impact lower and middle-income households, as well as households currently experiencing energy poverty." That will especially harm "single mothers" and "seniors living on fixed incomes."



The second carbon tax will also lead to 24,000 fewer jobs in 2030, according to a report commissioned by Canadians for Affordable Energy.



Taxpayers will need to pay an extra $85 million to fuel the bureaucracy administering this regulatory quagmire, according to the government. Canadians will have the pleasure of paying higher taxes so more federal paper-pushers can increase our fuel prices and force our neighbours out of a job.



To make matters worse, there are no rebates with the second carbon tax, and it's being layered on top of Trudeau's current tax.



Trudeau's current carbon tax is already costing the average family up to $710 more per year than they get back in rebates, according to the PBO.



Higher fuel prices also mean higher sales taxes, which the federal government applies on top of gas taxes. Canadians will pay $429 million more this year in GST because of this tax-on-tax.



Trudeau is cranking up his current carbon tax until it reaches more than 37 cents per litre of gas by 2030. By the end of the decade, Trudeau's two carbon taxes will increase the price of gas by about 55 cents per litre and cost the average family more than $2,000 annually.



All this pain is for nothing.



Making it more expensive for Canadians to gas up their car or keep the natural gas running during winter will have a negligible impact on the environment.



With Canada making up just 1.5 per cent of global emissions, the PBO notes that "Canada's own emissions are not large enough to materially impact climate change." In 2018, Trudeau himself acknowledged that "even if Canada stopped everything tomorrow, and the other countries didn't have any solutions, it wouldn't make a big difference."



Trudeau's tax is especially self-defeating when more than three-quarters of countries don't have a national carbon tax, as highlighted by the World Bank. Meanwhile, Canada will soon have two.



Ottawa increased gas taxes while other countries cut them. Australia cut its gas tax in half. South Korea reduced gas taxes by 30 per cent. The United Kingdom provided billions of dollars in gas tax relief. New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Israel and Portugal also cut fuel taxes, along with provinces like Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.



Canadians need another carbon tax like we need a kick in the head. A government that was even remotely serious about making life more affordable would immediately back away from carbon taxes.

[Lokmar]

I'd like to heat my house in the winter by burning tires.

[Herman]

I'd like to heat my house in the winter by burning tires.

I want to heat my house in the winter by burning progs.

[Shen Li]

Jesus H, there will not be a middle class Canadian left by the time we get Justine out of office.



COMING JULY 1st – Taxpayers Better Brace for Trudeau's Two Carbon Taxes

https://energynow.ca/2023/06/coming-july-1st-taxpayers-better-brace-for-trudeaus-two-carbon-taxes/



Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a summer special for taxpayers: a second carbon tax.



On July 1, the Trudeau government's second carbon tax will take effect. Trudeau buried the tax in fuel regulations that require producers to reduce the carbon content of their fuels. If companies can't meet the requirements, they'll be forced to buy credits. Those costs will be passed onto consumers through higher pump prices.



The Parliamentary Budget Officer, the government's independent budget watchdog, recently released analysis of Trudeau's second carbon tax. In 2030, when the regulations are fully implemented, it will cost the average family up to $1,157 and will increase the price of gas by up to 17 cents per litre.



The government's own analysis shows the second carbon tax will "disproportionately impact lower and middle-income households, as well as households currently experiencing energy poverty." That will especially harm "single mothers" and "seniors living on fixed incomes."



The second carbon tax will also lead to 24,000 fewer jobs in 2030, according to a report commissioned by Canadians for Affordable Energy.



Taxpayers will need to pay an extra $85 million to fuel the bureaucracy administering this regulatory quagmire, according to the government. Canadians will have the pleasure of paying higher taxes so more federal paper-pushers can increase our fuel prices and force our neighbours out of a job.



To make matters worse, there are no rebates with the second carbon tax, and it's being layered on top of Trudeau's current tax.



Trudeau's current carbon tax is already costing the average family up to $710 more per year than they get back in rebates, according to the PBO.



Higher fuel prices also mean higher sales taxes, which the federal government applies on top of gas taxes. Canadians will pay $429 million more this year in GST because of this tax-on-tax.



Trudeau is cranking up his current carbon tax until it reaches more than 37 cents per litre of gas by 2030. By the end of the decade, Trudeau's two carbon taxes will increase the price of gas by about 55 cents per litre and cost the average family more than $2,000 annually.



All this pain is for nothing.



Making it more expensive for Canadians to gas up their car or keep the natural gas running during winter will have a negligible impact on the environment.



With Canada making up just 1.5 per cent of global emissions, the PBO notes that "Canada's own emissions are not large enough to materially impact climate change." In 2018, Trudeau himself acknowledged that "even if Canada stopped everything tomorrow, and the other countries didn't have any solutions, it wouldn't make a big difference."



Trudeau's tax is especially self-defeating when more than three-quarters of countries don't have a national carbon tax, as highlighted by the World Bank. Meanwhile, Canada will soon have two.



Ottawa increased gas taxes while other countries cut them. Australia cut its gas tax in half. South Korea reduced gas taxes by 30 per cent. The United Kingdom provided billions of dollars in gas tax relief. New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Israel and Portugal also cut fuel taxes, along with provinces like Alberta, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.



Canadians need another carbon tax like we need a kick in the head. A government that was even remotely serious about making life more affordable would immediately back away from carbon taxes.

This country is sooooooo FUBAR!

[Herman]

More wasted money.



Canada pledges $450 million for UN climate change fund

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/canada-pledges-450-million-for-un-climate-change-fund/ar-AA1dLPdD?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=c1e9ea597b5a40c88b2fb8da8ffd48c3&ei=12

Canada will contribute $450 million to the United Nations' main fund to help developing countries cope with climate change, the country's climate minister said on Wednesday.



Steven Guilbeault said the commitment was a 50% increase from Canada's previous pledge, made in 2019, to the UN Green Climate Fund. He called on other countries to also step up their contributions.