I am so lucky my grandpa was in Canada's World War 1 Air Force because just maybe if I love B.C., B.C. will love me back, and give me dual citizenship.
The more I read, the more I respect and appreciate British Columbia.
Starting this month, June 2008, every man, woman and child up to 18 years old, who lived in British Columbia in 2007, will receive a $100 climate action dividend from their government to spend on energy efficiency such as:
Energy efficient lightbulbs
Shop locally grown produce
Buy eco-friendly upgrades for one's home
The money comes from North America's, Canada's, first carbon tax.
Yes, while we battle it out, wasting valuable time, on what to me seems to be a silly scheme to profit the polluters and moneymen with a cap and trade system, Canada instituted a carbon tax that is working.
The money raised from the carbon tax goes to finance energy innovation and conservation.
This year, Canada's first carbon-tax year, they will invest more than--
ONE BILLION DOLLARS in climate action initiatives!
While that figure pales in comparison to what America spends in Iraq to keep our hand near the oil pipelines, this carbon tax is powering clean energy and change now.
America, take notes.
Photo from Bainbridge Island. I haven't made it to Canada yet. Stay tuned. Soon.
