As world leaders prepare for the upcoming G20 global leaders summit, to be held in Toronto next month, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon came to Ottawa this month and made a public plea for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to put climate change on the summit agenda. For the sake of London's future, Stephen Harper would be wise to listen to Ban.
Unfortunately Harper brushed aside the public plea, choosing instead to continue ignoring the climate crisis and the jobs that could be created by investing in a new green economy. In brushing aside Ban, Harper has proven that he is not only out of step with many Canadians, but also with much of the rest of the world.
Harper's shortsighted view of climate change is putting Canada behind other countries that are using their economic stimulus funds to invest in renewable energy and green jobs. The proportion of Canada's stimulus program funding for sustainable infrastructure and jobs puts us near the bottom of the G8 nations. Indeed, the economic stimulus package of the U.S. outstrips Canada in terms of investments in new green job creation by a ratio of 14 to 1.
The shortsighted view is particularly troubling for southern Ontario, where investments in renewable energy and a green economy could create the jobs of the future while at the same time protecting the local environment for future generations.
A recent joint report by the United Steelworkers and Environmental Defence concluded that the Harper government missed out on creating approximately 66,000 jobs simply because it has not matched U.S. investments in renewable energy and technology.
Investments in the green economy could be a boon for cities like London. Recent studies have shown that for every $1 million dollars invested in renewable energy, 14 to 16 new jobs can be created.
In a few weeks' time, three national organizations will tour southern Ontario cities to talk about the type of jobs that could be created if the federal government took action. From June 14-18, the Polaris Institute, the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, and the Canadian Autoworkers will be hosting a series of public forums as part of the "On the Road to a Green Economy Tour". With stops in Windsor (June 14), Sarnia (June 15), London (June 16 at Fanshawe College), Waterloo (June 17) and Toronto (June 18), the tour will begin to demonstrate how investing in a green economy is good for the environment and job creation.
In the absence of leadership from Stephen Harper, maybe it is time for Southwestern Ontario to step up to the plate and start leading the way in building a new, clean energy and green economy in this country.
