The Sun reported on the Premier’s speech to the Board of Trade conference “A Climate for Change” – another indication of the green shift that has occurred in the last half year – but they left out the passion. Campbell, when he gets going, can take on the demeanor of a televangelist, with very much the same message: you have the power, you can change society. If you believe!
Imagine the cynicism.
In the sessions afterward, reference to the ‘religion’ of environmentalism came up all right – but not in a dismissive way. Business people are quite aware of the public shift in attitude because they’re aware of their own – and their kids’ – change in perception. Twice during the conference school children were given time to speak, sometimes in stage-managed way, but with messages that Campbell took as his own: if we can change our own behaviour, we can make a difference.
While it is ever so easy to dismiss all this as political greenwashing, that would be a misreading. From what I’ve heard, and from what I know, Campbell is convinced of the urgency to address climate change. He has not only affirmed that in the last Throne Speech; he has set a target – 33 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 – and has demanded serious plans from government ministries.
I’m told that few civil servants took it seriously when he laid out a plan for government to be carbon neutral. But they do now – now that there are targets aligned with a vision, and a leader who pushes the politics. That’s how Gordon Campbell led the city when he was mayor, and why Vancouver underwent the transformation it did.
There’s still room for cynicism, of course. Every time Gordon Campbell acknowledges the success of downtown Vancouver – its lack of freeways, its compact fabric – I wonder why he so far cannot change the framework for the Gateway Project. Gateway is about building out the Valley around the car and the truck, about keeping the traffic moving, about reinforcing the sprawl.
At some point, Gateway will have to be reconciled with the Premier’s vision, or the vision will have to revised. Given the Premier’s passion, I’d hope for reconcilation.
Interesting take. I must admit that every time I hear about Campbell’s green awakening, I can’t help but smirk. Yes, I’m still a bit cynical, but maybe you’re right and he is indeed convinced about the urgency. Now, if he can bring about some concrete action and reel in Kevin Falcon, then I’ll drop the cynicism.
that’s why it will never wor. Nurit Hailey.