How can Canadians develop a sustainable economy and a sustainable way of life?

I look at the stuff that is being produced. Way too much junk. Using up resources and energy just to create the stuff that is not really needed. Everything has become a use once and throw the entire thing away and get another. This applies to computers. This applies to automobiles. Instead of fixing the broken part, the manufacturers want you to buy a whole car. That is horrendous waste. Same applies to a computer, washing machine, refrigerator.

Our needs are being created and oversupplied. I don't need a 56" TV. If I can't see a 19", I must be blind.

Cars are not built by the customers, they are designed and built by the manufacturers in their colors, their engines, their idea of fuel economy, etc.

And so it goes with everything else.

In moderation is the way it should go. And build products that can be totally recycled back into the manufacturing end.

North Americans may use up a lot of resources, however, most of the population of the world is elsewhere. And, even though third world countries aren't doing well, I can tell you they'll be a lot worse off when we all fall down. Where will all the poverty, starved ridden people go? It's the end. I only hope our planet will survive us. When I see photos of earth from space I want to cry. It is the most beautiful creation I've ever seen. Why can't everyone recognize she's a living, breathing organism? We treat our pets better than our home. We could become a sustainable society in Canada, but how about all the other countries? Does sustainability mean we won't have the ability to share our resources or services if they need help? And why should we if they refuse to change as well? Canada would indeed have to harden it's heart considerably.

There are too many people on this planet. North Americans may use up a lot of resources, however, most of the population of the world is elsewhere. And, even though third world countries aren't doing well, I can tell you they'll be a lot worse off when we all fall down. Where will all the poverty, starved ridden people go? It's the end. I only hope our planet will survive us. When I see photos of earth from space I want to cry. It is the most beautiful creation I've ever seen. Why can't everyone recognize she's a living, breathing organism? We treat our pets better than our home. We could become a sustainable society in Canada, but how about all the other countries? Does sustainability mean we won't have the ability to share our resources or services if they need help? And why should we if they refuse to change as well? Canada would indeed have to harden it's heart considerably.

I can tell you they'll be a lot worse off when we all fall down. Where will all the poverty, starved ridden people go? It's the end. I only hope our planet will survive us. When I see photos of earth from space I want to cry. It is the most beautiful creation I've ever seen. Why can't everyone recognize she's a living, breathing organism? We treat our pets better than our home. We could become a sustainable society in Canada, but how about all the other countries? Does sustainability mean we won't have the ability to share our resources or services if they need help? And why should we if they refuse to change as well? Canada would indeed have to harden it's heart considerably. They don't realize that these so called alternative fuels and such are not alternatives as they are more derivitives of oil. People say to ride bikes to work, use solar energy, use bio fuel, wind turbines, hyrogen fuel cells, battery powered vehicles etc etc...None of these people realize what it takes to produce these things, it takes on major ingredient...oil. Should we invest our vast energy cash surplus into research for the future, Yes. But people always need something from the gov't, better roads, affordable housing, a pension, unemployment isurance, more disaster relief, etc,etc.

I am very serious:

1) The biggest and growing problem - as a cancer - is the way companies are financed and managed: they need to make growing the stock value. So, when they gain productivity by adding equipment and 'cashing in' by laying off employees, gess what: productivity and future expected profits grow, thus the share value. Then, the following year, they need to find a new way again to create 'value' because being profitable is not enough. Example: What medical and drug companies will do some day, create sicknesses? Example: CEOs paid with stock options. The problem is that companies cannot grow anymore. SOLUTION: put a seeling to the return on shares of companies of some large size. Then, the share price will not increase anymore. Companies would give only dividendes.

2) Have a world workers agreement where for the same work, same wadge and conditions, but of course, for low cost countries, the difference would be put in a human cooperation fund. So, no more unfair competition where labor (read humans) in much lower demand than supply will not face exploitation and fignting against each other for the lowest level of well being.

3) Have company presidents's children and grand children responsible, so the can be sued if their parent is dead or does not have money to pay, for let's say, land clean up after the company disapeared.

Copyright 2007 Marc Tetreault

yahooanswers@wiseshift.com

There are too many people on this planet. North Americans may use up a lot of resources, however, most of the population of the world is elsewhere. And, even though third world countries aren't doing well, I can tell you they'll be a lot worse off when we all fall down. Where will all the poverty, starved ridden people go? It's the end. I only hope our planet will survive us. When I see photos of earth from space I want to cry. It is the most beautiful creation I've ever seen. Why can't everyone recognize she's a living, breathing organism? We treat our pets better than our home. We could become a sustainable society in Canada, but how about all the other countries? Does sustainability mean we won't have the ability to share our resources or services if they need help? And why should we if they refuse to change as well? Canada would indeed have to harden it's heart considerably. Also, Elevators can be programmed not to stop on an adjacent floor of a building. Meaning if you are on the 3rd flr and want to go to the 2nd or 4th flr the elevator will not stop there (unless someone from another floor has pushed a button to stop at one of those floors). This will give people incentive not to use an elevator to go up or down one floor. Hence reducing the consumption of electricity.

Sustaining a viable economy and life, in today's technology, should be more of maintenance rather than a challenge.

I think of my house. If I want my children and grandchildren to walk, eat, be warm and comfortable, I have to keep the house clean and maintained to ensure they can be free from disease and structural failure.

We should be looking at our world in the same manner. By putting garbage into the ground we are sweeping it under the rug and today that is acceptable because we do not see it nor are the long term effects known.

Our government must be the leaders and give every opportunity for technology and process to evolve for our environment.

There are many small ideas that can grow into bigger advantages; however the government does not see fit to nurture the small ideas. It throws money wastefully into huge corporations that may or may not produce the result needed for a healthy environment.

In our day, we require instant answers, products and service. We hastily produce items that are cheap and quick to manufacture without engineering a solution for disposal.

Plastic bags. There is an alternative but we as people look at it as being more trouble than it is worth to us, today.

Profits along with consumption lead the way. We as consumers must demand higher expectations of a product without compromising the future.

It can be done. We need acceptance from our government that we as an individual can do more than we are given credit for.

Large corporations will not and cannot lead the public. It costs money. Less profits.

Technology can help, but if I cannot get a product to the market that will make a difference, how much damage will be done?

I am only an individual, however ideas when nurtured, can begin a process that is exceptional. History shows it.

To develop a sustainable economy and a sustainable way of life, Canadians must:

1. Be aware of what sustainability means.

2. Care enough to live in a sustainable manner.

3. Have the means to make sustainable choices.

This is a very tall order.

Our education systems (both formal academic and informal societal) are not geared towards teaching sustainability. In truth they reinforce a competitive society where self-respect is calculated by the admiration of others and where shopping is the panacea for any personal malaise.

At present, the way our globalised economy is structured always makes the sustainable choice the more expensive one. Therefore this choice is only open to those with the wealth or extreme conviction to make it.

However, if the cost of goods and services reflected their sustainability, then overnight we would have both a sustainable economy and sustainable way of life.

We need a sustainability tax.

...and we need this tax to apply to all goods and services whether domestically produced or imported.

But this cannot happen because Canada is no longer a sovereign nation (hear that you Québecers!?).

It makes me laugh to hear people say there is a conspiracy to set up a new world order under the guise of the United Nations when it already exists under the guise of the WTO. And it is precisely the WTO and NAFTA that would stop such a sustainability tax ever coming into force.

I hate to admit it, but, I've GIVEN UP. There are too many people on this planet. North Americans may use up a lot of resources, however, most of the population of the world is elsewhere. And, even though third world countries aren't doing well, I can tell you they'll be a lot worse off when we all fall down. Where will all the poverty, starved ridden people go? It's the end. I only hope our planet will survive us. When I see photos of earth from space I want to cry. It is the most beautiful creation I've ever seen. Why can't everyone recognize she's a living, breathing organism? We treat our pets better than our home. We could become a sustainable society in Canada, but how about all the other countries? Does sustainability mean we won't have the ability to share our resources or services if they need help? And why should we if they refuse to change as well? Canada would indeed have to harden it's heart considerably.

We'd all have to change our habits quickly. I suspect it's too late as it is. I'd be willing to give up hydro and oil based products, but, how on earth will we go back to basics? Living on the land? How about a safe and steady water supply? We're kidding ourselves if we think we can go back to family farms. A good portion of the population would have to die to make it feasible. There are too many people.

I just hope the end will be quick for my descendants. Not slow and agonizing. If they are lucky, an asterioid will cause mass extinction quickly. However, as long as some life survives, earth will renew itself. One day all the buildings and pollution will be covered with earth and not one memory of humans shall remain. If an asteriod doesn't destroy us, that's ok, because good ole earth will be sure to unleash some sort of pestulence upon our species.

I love Canada. It's sad we've decided it's necessary to become part of globalization, and it's sad we have to bring many immigrants at once to keep the profit economy going. This presents no opportunity for Canada to rest and regain it's breath.

Our species is suicidal.

Mr. Suzuki knows what to do. Most of us do not. That being said a small minority does know what to do, but often we dont get the coverage to get the word out!

Im from Ontario and here we have a Standard Offer Contract which is a program that allows private citizen, private business & corporation to invest into renewable energy infrastructure and sell the renewable energy back to the local power grid for hard dollars!

Its a 20 year extendable contract that also adjusts for inflation.

Why have I never heard of this program offered on the news, in the news paper or on the radio? I would like to ask why there is never any coverage?

Biofuels is something Canada should be seriously implementing! The pole pines in Northern B.C affected by the pine beetle has devastated hundreds of thousands of acres of pole pine.

This pine can be ground up and made into cellulosic ethanol which could be blended with gasoline therefore burning the gasoline much cleaner and much more complete therefore reducing G.H.Gases.

Biodiesel made from used vegetable oils, oleaginous seeds and lipid producing algae makes a superb replacement for petroleum diesel also reducing G.H Gases.

Also there also has to be more cirriculum implemented in the schools at every level not just studying the effects of Global warming but also the solutions and technologies

Most of the problem is ignorance, knowing truly is half the battle won!

Also planting trees, every Canadian who wants to plant saplings should be able to do so and the Government should flip the bill via a fuel carbon tax.

It's impossible without a voluntary reduction in standard of living. That's what my family has done. We live in a smaller house than we can afford, have upgraded to energy saving appliances, passed on an SUV (although we would actually use it) and so on. Have we done enough? Probably not.

In a tropical country, it's possible to live in a stick hut with a thatch roof, bike around and grow a lot of food. I've done this and I love it. The stick hut cost $ 200 to build and was comfortable. It's different in our extreme climate. Also many people can't afford to be energy efficient. I recently bought a wood stove that cost us $ 5000 with installation. It gives off very little pollution, apparently, but what a lot of money!

So it seems to me that sustainability is a long term project. We will learn how as more and more of us try to protect the environment.

Unfortunately, most people either don't care, don't want to "suffer" when others are living high, or think it is too late already so there is no point in bothering.

A big change in attitude is necessary.

Thanks, David, for your hard work on behalf of all living things.