Federal NDP leader Jack Layton and his wife Olivia Chow were in the Yukon in July to witness for themselves the impacts of global climate change along the Alsek and Tatshenshini rivers. They especially wanted to see how the glaciers along this famed waterway are being affected. During their stopover in Whitehorse, they discussed with the local media how best Canadians can reduce their carbon footprint to help slow, or even reverse, the global warming trend.
A major debate is currently raging all across the country on this issue. What is the best approach? Some say a revenue-neutral carbon tax is best. Others believe a cap-and-trade system is the answer.
Some are even saying it will take a combination of both to seriously address this problem. While still others have not yet taken a position. They argue that no matter what Canada does, the impacts will be negligible when compared with the vast amounts of carbon the US, India and China are dumping into the atmosphere.
The question: So what role do you think the Yukon government should play, if any, in encouraging individuals and industries to reduce their carbon emissions? Should it tax those who waste energy and reward those who conserve it? Should it do more to encourage alternative energy? Or should it simply sit back and hope the major polluters wake up before it's too late and climate change becomes irreversible?
To respond:
reception.ndp@yla.gov.yk.ca