In a CBC radio broadcasted forum, Dr. David Suzuki debated with Rick Hyndman from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers on the subject of the Kyoto Accord at the Red & White Club on Tue., Nov. 26. In front of a capacity crowd, the acclaimed environmentalist made his case for ratification while Mr. Hyndman, the senior policy advisor for the CAPP, argued otherwise.
Dr. Suzuki, fresh from his Nature Challenge tour of the country, spoke of the challenge that he is proposing to Canadians. From a list of ten options, Suzuki is asking the average citizen to do just three things that help the environment.
“Give me time, and I will show you that Canadians want to do something,” he said.
This debate over the citizens’ role, should ratification occur, and that of the industry, brought arguments from both.
“Industry can do a lot to help the consumer,” said Hyndman who cited more efficient houses as an example.
“Many creative things can be done,” agreed Dr. Suzuki.
He spoke of the many options that are available to Canadians who want to do their part for the environment, but urged that the time to act is now.
“By delaying, we’ve created a problem that is even more difficult and expensive.”
Hyndman spoke of the feasibility of the targets of the Kyoto Accord and said that they are an unrealistic goal that will be very difficult to accomplish. Dr. Suzuki on the other hand, stressed that signing Kyoto is the right thing to do.
“I look at Alberta, it has everything going for it,” Dr. Suzuki concluded, as he pointed out the richness of the province and its ability to be a leader.
Hyndman finished by saying that what is truly needed is to “design an intelligent policy that will have industry and consumers working together.”