by Richard Morrison
October 15, 2008

Washington, D.C., October 15, 2008—Last night, voters in Canada decisively rejected a tax on energy use aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon tax had been the centerpiece of Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion's election campaign. His party suffered a serious reverse at the polls, losing a quarter of its seats. Analysts agree the pledge was a significant factor in the Liberals’ failure to take advantage of the economic crisis. The last thing the Canadian people wanted was extra costs to their families in troubled times.

In Europe, the Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski today vowed to block European Union attempts to impose a new measures aimed at reducing emissions next month. Sikorski told an EU summit meeting that, “Poland is ready to veto if there are attempts to force us to accept the climate-change packet in the next months.” A statement from the leaders of several Eastern European countries said, “The vast majority of the EU's greenhouse gas emission reductions have been achieved by less affluent member states at a very high social and economic cost, and it should be recognized.”

Senior Fellow Iain Murray comments, “Once again, Washington insiders need to pay attention to what’s happening beyond our borders. The world has realized that the greenhouse gas reductions championed by Al Gore and his fellow travelers come at a very high price, at both the national and household level. If we need to do anything to manage the risk that global warming might become a problem, we need to think of other ways of doing it.”

FEATURED VIDEO: Senior Fellow Iain Murray’s take on global warming, the developing world and eco-imperialism here.

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