What does it really mean?
You probably heard about the Conservatives' big announcement about dedicating $1.5 billion to funding alternative energy technologies over the next ten years. This could mean giving a chance for Canada to become a leader in environmental technology. It could mean an increase in jobs in environmental technology. It could mean an increase in cities and provinces using these technologies, and potentially, improving our environment (well, maybe more like reducing how badly we are treating our environment). The problem is, we are investing money in exploring waste management and clean energy while pushing ahead madly on oilsands production. And oilsands production is terribly polluting. According to this other article, "it's already the biggest source of new greenhouse gas emissions in Canada". This announcement is the equivalent of someone deciding to start recycling their glass, paper and metal, while driving a Hummer in the city and spending 90% of their time idle, waiting for the light to turn green.
While I'm all for encouraging innovation, I'm not convinced one bit by any claim that this government cares about the environment. If you care about the environment, introduce a green tax that would penalize polluters. Not only would it force entire industries to revise how they do business, but it would at the same time encourage innovation, as companies would start funding research programs that help them find ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
Call me cynical, call me pessimistic, but a green tax is never going to happen when our government focuses on short-term action meant to only help them win the next election. The push-back from the industry would be swift and extremely powerful in convincing our poor government that their interest lies in letting the corporate world run their businesses as they see fit. The only change that can happen has to be driven by the industry itself. That's what Paul Hawken argues in The Ecology of Commerce. Every executive and business student in the world should read this book.
OK, back to reading about the management of innovation now ;)
While I'm all for encouraging innovation, I'm not convinced one bit by any claim that this government cares about the environment. If you care about the environment, introduce a green tax that would penalize polluters. Not only would it force entire industries to revise how they do business, but it would at the same time encourage innovation, as companies would start funding research programs that help them find ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
Call me cynical, call me pessimistic, but a green tax is never going to happen when our government focuses on short-term action meant to only help them win the next election. The push-back from the industry would be swift and extremely powerful in convincing our poor government that their interest lies in letting the corporate world run their businesses as they see fit. The only change that can happen has to be driven by the industry itself. That's what Paul Hawken argues in The Ecology of Commerce. Every executive and business student in the world should read this book.
OK, back to reading about the management of innovation now ;)
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