The Alberta government is currently travelling the province asking for input for its Climate Change Strategy. For those who are unable to attend the consultations, the government has designed an online survey which asks what steps the government should take (short of legislation, essentially) to curb provincial pollution and emissions, as well as what steps individuals should take. The survey is basically a checklist of things individuals can do to reduce their ecological footprints and there is little mention of regulating or addressing the enormous problems created by the oil/gas and industrial agriculture sectors.
The first question-statement in the survey is “Alberta will maintain a vibrant economy and high quality of life while addressing this global issue.” That sets out the priorities, doesn’t it?
According to a study published last month by PollutionWatch (a joint project of the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Environmental Defense), Alberta is the national leader in air pollutants (producing 27% of the national total in 2005) and greenhouse gas emissions (a whopping 40% of the national total!) — all this in a province that is home for only 10% of the country’s population. Question three in the survey reads “Alberta will lead Canadian provinces in the use of renewable and alternative energy sources.” Not bloody likely.
I’m going to ask the local libraries to publicize these data for the hearings — and to encourage their patrons to participate. We’re being told by the government that we’re the cleanest, greenest, most enviro-friendly province in the country. What’s up with the Conservatives doing the greenwash thing? I reckon it’s simply the easiest way to distract everyone while they continue with business as usual, maintaining that “vibrant economy and high quality of life.”
The survey should be used as the model for manipulative survey design in library school Research Methods courses: how you can manipulate the answers by framing the questions. The survey is well-worth the read.
-SIO