Editorial – St. Croix Courier – July 31, 2012 IDEALISM TRUMPS It was most heartening to see as many as 600 people lining the shores of Saint Andrews last week to protest the governments assault on environmental science. But one question must be asked: does anyone honestly think these protest activities will do any good? The “Save Ocean Science” group is dealing with what some environmental groups have declared as the most ideologically driven, anti-environment gov- ernment in our nation’s history. Those groups hold the view the federal dismantling of environmental research science is simply one part of a triple prong assault on environmental protections, and that view is supported by considerable evidence. First, the government has either gutted or abolished outright the legal protections preserving our nation’s prized environment- tal diversity. Scientists who keep pointing out the environmental dangers of industrial activity, such as the impacts of Slice and cypermethrin on Bay of Fundy lobster, will soon be fired. (Oh, the firings come under the guise of layoffs to save money – but it’s a challenge to accept such explanations from a government whose record of fis- cal management is the worst of any in the nation’s history, even if judged by the F-35 fiasco alone.) Opponents of the government say the layoffs are more likely an ill disguised assault on infor- mation the government doesn’t want to know what’s wrong with its course (remember the abolition of the long form census?) and doesn’t want others to know. And lest registered non-profit environmental lobby groups raise too much of a fuss, gain a little too much media attention, the Tories have a plan accuse them of engaging in “political ac- tivity,” and strip them of the non-profit status. If David Suzuki speaks out, as he did, the response is to threaten to tax the David Suzuki Foundation into oblivion: problem solved. The idea environmentalists won’t be political is rather ludi- crous: are groups like the Sierra Club suddenly expected to praise Stephen Harper and his allies for gutting environmental barriers so an oil company with a dubious environmental record – En bridge – can drive a pipeline through sensitive B.C. wilderness and contested First Nations lands, thus enabling them to send Alberta oil sands products to China, which will power a Chinese economy already driving us into economic oblivion? Upon even a casual glance, it seems the Tories are hell bent on attacking anything with the word “environment” before, after or in its name, and it doesn’t look like much is going to change in the future, either. A report obtained by the Canadian Press and published Monday tells how a government commissioned report declares some environmental groups as increasingly “radical,” a prelude to, it appears, asking police to quell environmental groups’ activities. Environmental groups, clearly, are any who ob- viously oppose the continued assault on the environment, such as the 600 supporters who stood on a Saint Andrews shoreline Wednesday. That, alone, is worth strong, sober thought. All that said, it’s unlikely the “Save Ocean Science” protesters will alter government’s plan to assume anything different in the light of the Tories’ documented indifference to reason, science and public opinion on environmental matters is the height of folly. But at the moment, protesting is about as much as can be done. And if action isn’t taken, there won’t be anything left of Canada’s globally heralded scientific research programs, its much admired environmental protections, or its environment, by the time those opposed to the Tory regime’s meddling are allowed a voice again in the next election almost three years in the future. Letter to the Editor St. Croix Courier July 31, 2012 Don’t destroy an asset The 2007 DFO brochure “Science hat matters to
Canadians” states |DFO Science aims to produce a vibrant aquatic science
program based on excellence that supports and informs departmental and
government needs and best serves Canadians. Modern science is increasingly complex and
therefore must be increasingly collaborative. With 15 research institutes and
laboratories across Canada, the Science Sector of DFO is at the cutting edge of
science.” Dr.
Vladimir Zitko |
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