Campbell cash buys irony

Thank you, Gordon Campbell.

B.C. grabbed a moment in the world spotlight when Premier Gordon Campbell announced earlier this summer that not only would the province tax away carbon polluters, but it would give each and every citizen $100 to make their own dent in global warming.

Local online journal The Tyee whipped up public interest by spawning a contest to name the most worthy cause: your $100 might go toward conserving natural habitats, researching alternative fuels or supporting rooftop gardens.

But it seems that’s not quite what the premier had in mind. He set an example when he announced that he and his wife Nancy would put the $100 toward a new fridge. Not just any fridge: a super-efficient Energy Star fridge. But a new fridge nonetheless.

Walter and Joanne Worsfold of Kamloops went one better. Not content with a mere kitchen appliance, they lay their money on the line and went for the whole enchilada: a brand new house. With the $100 cheque burning a whole in her pocketbook, Joanne was lured by an advertisement for the 2008 YMCA-YWCA dream home lottery. She took a gamble, and learned on July 9 that she and her husband are proud owners of a dream home in newly subdivided land surrounding Sun Rivers golf course near Kamloops.

Wow! Way to go, Joanne and Walter. That new home will certainly make a big dent in global warming. It has all the green trappings, including geothermal heating, and stamps of approval from Built Green and Power Smart.

But what if we pause for just a moment and think of the alternative. No new fridge. No new home. Rather than perpetually expanding our carbon footprint with overflowing shopping carts, we leave our wallets at home. We look for solutions that don’t involve buying stuff.

The more than $400 million sent out to B.C. residents could have made a difference. It might have helped restore dead ecosystems or preserve natural habitats, like the “spectacular” South Thompson River Valley advertised by developers of the Sun Rivers resort in Kamloops. But no, it went straight to the wallets of every B.C. citizen. And I’m guessing the bulk of the money didn’t go to non-profit groups dedicated to making a measurable impact on climate change. I’m guessing business will be brisk in brand-new, super-efficient beer fridges this summer.

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