Canada's Climate Plan

Canada announced an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020. That sounds good, except the Conservative government acknowledged it would not meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, which requires cutting greenhouse-gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels by 2012. Canada's emissions are currently 30% above 1990 levels.

Former Vice President Al Gore said, "In my opinion, it is a complete and total fraud ... designed to mislead the Canadian people." The focus is on reducing the intensity of emissions rather than on tough, overall curbs. According to Gore the phrase "intensity reduction," which allows industries to increase their greenhouse gas outputs as they raise production, was developed by think tanks financed by Exxon Mobil and other large polluters. He acknowledged that, as an American, he had "no right to interfere" in Canadian decisions, but that the rest of the world looks to Canada for moral leadership.

Canada's Environment Minister John Baird rejected Gore's criticisms. "The fact is our plan is vastly tougher than any measures introduced by the administration of which the former vice president was a member," he said, inviting Gore to discuss climate change and the Conservatives' environmental policies. On the other hand, Canadian opposition Liberal leader Stephane Dion agrees with Gore. "Mr. Baird is embarrassing Canada around the world. The world expects Canada will do its share -- more than that, that Canada will be a leader -- and we are failing the world. We are failing Canadians."