Green Act roadmap to sustainable future

The province’s new Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act appears to be a good roadmap to combining the need to grow our economy while addressing environmental concerns. In fact, they are mutually supportive under the Act. And it comes none too soon.

The Act received royal assent in April.

Noted scientist and educator Dr. Kelvin Ogilvie, former chairman of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Innovation, and Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent spoke at a recent Eastern Kings Chamber of Commerce breakfast seminar on the green economy.

The Act is based on the principle that the healths of the economy, environment and people are interconnected. Environmentally sustainable economic development that recognizes the province’s environmental assets is essential. And the environment and economy are the collective responsibility of all government levels, the private sector and all Nova Scotians. Both the environment and economy have to be managed to ensure current and future generations.

The result of three-party support, the Act notes that innovative solutions are necessary to mutually reinforce the environment and economy. And long-term planning and decision-making are needed to harmonize the province’s economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

And both the economy and environment will be preserved and improved by moves such as emission reduction, energy efficiency and increasing the amount of protected land.

The Act acknowledges that the province has become a world leader in recycling and waste management.

This factor was foreseen by then premier the late Dr. John Savage -- who began the program because the province was the right size geographically and demographically, and adaptable in attitude.

The Act outlines a number of target dates for a series of goals. For example, 2020 is the objective for the province to demonstrate international leadership in having one of the world’s cleanest and most sustainable environments, and to be equal to or above the Canadian economic average.

These will be achieved by such things as reducing nitrogen oxide by 20 per cent of 2000 levels by 2009, cutting sulphur dioxide emissions by 50 per cent of 2001existing sources by 2010, reducing mercury emissions 70 per cent of pre-2001 levels by 2010, adopting California new vehicle emissions standards by 2010, obtaining 18.5 per cent of our electricity needs from renewable energy resources, and ensuring that 12 per cent of province’s total land mass will be legally protected by 2015.

Water management, further solid waste reduction, provincial procurement, energy-efficient building codes, and sustainability in the province’s natural capital resources also figure in the Act.

Meanwhile, the Act provides for interim emission targets.

We’re fortunate to have an Environment Minister with the foresight needed to help begin such a legislative process. The former globe-trotting country Baptist pastor has shown he has the wide vision required to guide the process.

The same, and then some, can be said for Dr. Ogilvie, who pointed out the challenges awaiting us – demographics, a relatively declining economy, and education and research – as well as the advantages, including the huge potential for tidal power and the green technology we can develop and export from it.

It remains to be seen how all this plays out, and when. There are so many factors involved – just like unforeseen low world prices impacted our off-shore natural gas industry.

And, as Dr. Ogilvie said, there is no outside saviour coming to help us build this green economy. We have to do it ourselves.

And it has to be done if we’re going to survive at all. The Trenton Works, Dartmouth Moirs and Canard Poultry situations – involving more than 2,000 direct jobs -- tell us we have to change and quick.

Our backs are to the wall.