Appearing before the Toronto Economic Club, Sir Nicholas Stern (former World Bank chief economist) insisted that an economic choice has to be made shortly for making efficient action to fight climate change.  Mr. Stern believes that Canada is properly positioned to take this step sooner than later based on the skills the Canadian economy possesses in natural resources and agriculture production.

On the other side of the proverbial coin PM Harper and Environmental minister Baird believe that short-term action will create more problems then results to the Canadian economy in living up to its international commitments. Blending these two opposite views can be achieved in one simple approach: start action in areas that doesn’t affect the economic supply chain.  Action in this format can be taken with simple measures i.e., reducing electricity (turning off office lights at the end of the business day) and paper consumption (increase electronic formats and templates), etc.  Creating a set of measures that builds on the “simple” makes ongoing decisions (i.e. shifts in auto fleets (hybrid) and energy conservation measures in building construction) easier based on previous accomplishments and the experiences gained.