Surely our Canadian Government anticipated what China would do at Durban! Although we have no special qualifications and no inside information, For our Grandchildren anticipated a strong Chinese delegation with a “good news “message.
Newspapers now have given tremendous coverage to the emergence of this new international hero in climate change.
The media have commented in very negative terms on the impact of Canada’s presence in Durban. The usual phrase is: “Canada is missing in action.” Forget about rescuing our image at the Durban Conference. Just lie low and hope that it does not get any worse.
The opposition parties are ramping up for a strong attack on Canada’s Durban record in Parliament. So what can the Government to do to deflect such criticism?
Here are some suggestions:
First, the Government should claim that Canada’s rejection of Kyoto and Canada’s ill-concealed intention to withdraw from this Protocol entirely, was the spur that drove the Chinese delegation to:
- Confirm China’s proposal for an international summit to negotiate an agreement to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions that are the major factor in global warming
- make public its conditions to and suggest a reasonable process for such an agreement.
Second, express caution about the Chinese offer, insisting that the devil is in the details, meaning that there may be fine print qualifications that would undermine the process and the effectiveness of the agreement.
Thirdly, say that Canada’s rejection of Kyoto is validated by the Chinese actions looking for a new agreement.
Fourthly, blame the United States for the necessity of Canada being a laggard. Refer to our commitment to match anything the US did, and point out that the US has done nothing. (N.B. Use a low key approach in presenting this fourth claim!)
Fifthly . . .
I can’t go on. The “spin” is making me dizzy.
Peter Jones
