Since when does Canada wait for anyone before innovating? We may have 2.5% of China’s population [1,2], but the average Canadian still emits a lot more CO2 than the average Chinese (14.6 metric tons vs 6.2 metric tons) [3,4]. Waiting for China to lead is un-competitive, defeatist, and is not in the interests of our economy or our planet. Carbon Tax-Skeptic Claim: Why should we move if China isn’t moving? 1) National Bureau of Statistics of China. “China’s Economy Achieved a Stabilized and Accelerated Development in the Year of 2012”. Last accessed 7-27-13. URL: http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/pressrelease/t20130118_402867147.html 2) Stats Canada Census. The Canadian Population in 2011: Population Counts and Growth: 10-09-13. URL: http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-310-x/98-310-x2011001-eng.cfm 3) CANADA “GDP (current US$) and CO2 emissions”. World Bank. Retrieved October 31, 2013, http://data.worldbank.org/country/canada 4) CHINA “GDP (current US$) and CO2 emissions”. World Bank. Retrieved October 31, 2013, http://data.worldbank.org/country/china
One-liner: China is moving, and is already selling their solar panels back to us.