In recession-Canadians still green-conscience
by investor on 21/12/08 at 12:43 pm
Now that Canada is officially in a recession and jobs are disappearing at a rapid rate, it would be reasonable to assume that public concern about the environment — and investment in green technologies — will ebb as worry grows about the economy
But there is evidence to suggest the contrary. When the price of crude oil peaked at $147 a barrel in July, consumers redoubled their efforts to reduce their home heating costs, prompting renewed interest in renewable energy.
More importantly, there’s a growing consensus that Canadians have undergone a profound shift in how they regard the environment and, in particular, the issue of climate change. “The reaction in the past has typically been: when times get tough, people step back from environmental concerns … and concentrate on their jobs,” says Peter Robinson, CEO of the Vancouver-based Suzuki Foundation.
“This is a much different moment for us. … You don’t see the environment slipping off the minds of Canadians. It’s still there.”
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