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Yesterday, I tweeted @ErinOTooleMP is unfit to govern, predicated on his #climate policy - which caters to an ongoing lethargic reaction to an existential risk.
This is the new denial.
In this thread, I undo his platform plank-by-plank.
1/n https://erinotoole.ca/platform/climate-change/
This is the new denial.
In this thread, I undo his platform plank-by-plank.
1/n https://erinotoole.ca/platform/climate-change/
2/n "A carbon tax is not an Environmental Plan, it is a Tax Plan"
Incorrect. As any non-rabid conservative will note - even Milton Friedman himself agreed that pricing externalities is a core conservative tool. That the right have come to negate market mechanisms is sad.
Incorrect. As any non-rabid conservative will note - even Milton Friedman himself agreed that pricing externalities is a core conservative tool. That the right have come to negate market mechanisms is sad.
3/n "Climate Change is a global problem, that requires a global solution"
AGREED! This is table stakes - but used to set up arguments whereby Canada - as a wealthy country- is allowed to shirk our moral duty to act.
AGREED! This is table stakes - but used to set up arguments whereby Canada - as a wealthy country- is allowed to shirk our moral duty to act.
4/n We'll "be using oil and natural gas for a long time. The question is whether they will come from free countries ...or dictatorships"
RED HERRING: The Canada I know doesn't set the bar at comparing our behaviour to Saudi standards.
RED HERRING: The Canada I know doesn't set the bar at comparing our behaviour to Saudi standards.
5/n "Domestic energy production – oil and gas – [makes us] more self-reliant/resilient [avoid relying on baddies like] Russia"
NO(1): energy is a global market, we sell into that market, not a domestic one.
NO(2): oil & gas focus is becoming a liability as the world de-carbons.
NO(1): energy is a global market, we sell into that market, not a domestic one.
NO(2): oil & gas focus is becoming a liability as the world de-carbons.
6/n "Pitting one part of the country against another, as Trudeau has done, is a cheap way to score political points and does not do anything for the planet"
CHEAP DISTRACTION (who's pitting who against whom? - BTW Trudeau BOUGHT A PIPELINE)
CHEAP DISTRACTION (who's pitting who against whom? - BTW Trudeau BOUGHT A PIPELINE)
7/n "Canada is a world leader in zero-emissions technologies like nuclear and hydro and innovations like low-emission jet fuel out of carbon waste"
A) that's nice, so what?
B) the carbon-waste to jet fuel is an uneconomic pipe-dream, as all savvy investors know.
A) that's nice, so what?
B) the carbon-waste to jet fuel is an uneconomic pipe-dream, as all savvy investors know.
8/n "The environment is an area of shared jurisdiction, and the federal government should not be trampling on the provinces and territories."
A) no-one's trampling on anyone; the fed program lets each province act independently.
B) Trudeau BOUGHT A FRIGGIN' PIPELINE
A) no-one's trampling on anyone; the fed program lets each province act independently.
B) Trudeau BOUGHT A FRIGGIN' PIPELINE
9/n "If provinces want to use market mechanisms, other forms of carbon pricing, or regulatory measures, that is up to them. The federal government will be there to support them."
Um - that's exactly what the current federal program does. DOH. Provinces opt-in first.
Um - that's exactly what the current federal program does. DOH. Provinces opt-in first.
10/n Then we come to his various promises to act "THAT MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA":
Great ... can't wait!
Great ... can't wait!
11/n "Founded on proven market-based principles for incenting positive economic change"
Um ... that's where we started. A price on carbon - cap and trade or simple tax - is that market-based mechanism. Doh.
Um ... that's where we started. A price on carbon - cap and trade or simple tax - is that market-based mechanism. Doh.
12/n "Focuses on making industry pay rather than taxing ordinary Canadians"
IMPOSSIBLE: There's no free lunch. Whatever regulations cost industry, those costs are passed on - & will cost MORE than regs since a carbon price allows for creative price/cost seeking.
IMPOSSIBLE: There's no free lunch. Whatever regulations cost industry, those costs are passed on - & will cost MORE than regs since a carbon price allows for creative price/cost seeking.
13/n "Avoids focus on carbon only, and instead is scoped to capture ALL greenhouse gases"
Great, have at it. Can we start with methane, as the #Libs have done? Note all credible climate plans use 'carbon equivalent' so it's misleading to assert this is some unique position.
Great, have at it. Can we start with methane, as the #Libs have done? Note all credible climate plans use 'carbon equivalent' so it's misleading to assert this is some unique position.
14/n "Simplifies the tax code to create confidence in the resource sector and support its actions toward emission reduction"
Yeah ... that would be the carbon tax. And ideally an end to all fossil fuel subsidies (which are very complicated!)
Yeah ... that would be the carbon tax. And ideally an end to all fossil fuel subsidies (which are very complicated!)
15/n "Proactively invests in mitigation programs and critical infrastructure"
EXCELLENT! But mitigation and adaptation are linked - we cannot adapt if we don't mitigate. And we can do both (re: chew gum, walking) But, yes, have at it ...
EXCELLENT! But mitigation and adaptation are linked - we cannot adapt if we don't mitigate. And we can do both (re: chew gum, walking) But, yes, have at it ...
16/n "Considers how to support regions of Canada most affected by the short-term impacts of climate (floods, fires, Lyme Disease) as well as long-term economic impacts"
EXCELLENT. Glad to see a recognition of the massive systemic risks already in sight re: climate.
EXCELLENT. Glad to see a recognition of the massive systemic risks already in sight re: climate.
17/n "Shows the world that we are willing to do our part, while also putting pressure on China, the US and Russia to step up and do better."
NO: nothing here actually reduces emissions (other than vague reference to regulations). No action, no moral leadership, no pressure.
NO: nothing here actually reduces emissions (other than vague reference to regulations). No action, no moral leadership, no pressure.
18/n "Under my leadership, Canada will contribute meaningfully to lowering global GHG emissions. Priorities will include:"
AH! So maybe there is something ... what might those actions be!?!
AH! So maybe there is something ... what might those actions be!?!
19/n "Exporting modern and safe nuclear technology...like Small Modular Reactors (‘SMRs’)"
Sure have at it. I'm a fan of SMR's. But they're a decade (or more) away from commercial viability, costs are unknown, w scant public support for the massive fuel infrastructure req'd.
Sure have at it. I'm a fan of SMR's. But they're a decade (or more) away from commercial viability, costs are unknown, w scant public support for the massive fuel infrastructure req'd.
20/n - And the world will need not a dozen, but tens of thousands of these reactors. Again, I'm a fan of SMR's - especially @TerrestrialMSR - but to think this magic bullet is a viable path forward is really just ... wishing and hoping. That's not how adults address systemic risk
21/n "Helping the world stop burning coal by transitioning to natural gas"
Ah the bridge. A bridge to where? Sure, lighten the carbon load of the fossil fuels we do burn - but that's not a solution. It's a stop-gap.
Ah the bridge. A bridge to where? Sure, lighten the carbon load of the fossil fuels we do burn - but that's not a solution. It's a stop-gap.
22/n "Tapping the ingenuity of our scientists and researchers to develop technology that will help the world"
YAY! Who doesn't support R&D? But in and of itself it's woefully inadequate. It's about deployment now.
YAY! Who doesn't support R&D? But in and of itself it's woefully inadequate. It's about deployment now.
23/n More on R&D:
a) there are no magic bullets coming
b) we've invented most of what we need, and even what's economically viable is being deployed too slowly to stop the climate train. eg - the humble heat-pump.
Deploy, deploy, deploy.
a) there are no magic bullets coming
b) we've invented most of what we need, and even what's economically viable is being deployed too slowly to stop the climate train. eg - the humble heat-pump.
Deploy, deploy, deploy.
24/n "Working with industry on a plan to get to net zero emissions in the oil and gas industry"
Great, how's that working so far?
Great, how's that working so far?
25/n "Promoting Canada as an ESG Global Energy Thought Leader"
Horse-poop - https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/opinion-a-renewed-and-enforced-climate-capitalism-is-the-vaccine-we-need-1.1483299
Horse-poop - https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/opinion-a-renewed-and-enforced-climate-capitalism-is-the-vaccine-we-need-1.1483299
