WHEN MAURICE Strong talks about Canada and climate change, anyone with half a brain should sit up and take notice.
And when the long-time environmentalist and secretary of the first global Earth Summit 20 years ago says China is ahead of Canada in tackling climate issues – again it would be best to listen up.
By GREG McMILLAN / TheGreenHub.ca
His is the voice of experience, perhaps even the voice of reason. Definitely a controversial lightning rod.
As he prepares to attend a global summit next month in Rio de Janeiro, the high-profile diplomat and businessman is in Ottawa this week for a conference on Canada’s role in the green economy.
While there, he is not pulling any punches, and his targets include Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who he chastised strongly for playing down the threat from climate change and failing to take decisive action.
“Our Prime Minister is a very intelligent person, and what is really disappointing is that he allows his intelligence to be over-ridden by his ideology,” says Strong, according to an article in the Globe and Mail. “And this is a major example of that.”
But Strong touches on more, much more, in a succinct, pull-no-punches manner.
Good on him, whether you agree or not.
ELSEWHERE AROUND THE GREEN HUB IN CANADA
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Last but not least: What does it take to boost a company’s greed cred? Well, a global consulting and outsourcing firm surveyed more than 112,000 employees in Canada, asking them about their employers’ commitment to the environment. And guess what kinds of things were mentioned? Worms under desks, sustainable potlucks and loans for bikes, just to name a few …
