The hot air continues

Rona Ambrose may somehow be receiving headlines about her "tough" language on greenhouse gas emissions. But judging from the apparent plans, Ambrose's words are the only tough part of the Cons' scheme, as the actual targets on oil and gas will be through the industry's preferred means of deferring any real action:

Oil industry sources said yesterday the Tories intend to set standards to reduce “energy intensity” in the sector, an approach that would reduce emissions for every barrel produced.

That approach, which is favoured by the Alberta government and the industry, would see emissions continue to rise as oil-sands development booms, but would slow the pace of the growth.

Environmentalist Pierre Sadik of the David Suzuki Foundation said Ms. Ambrose's strong language “sounds promising” but requires tough action to be credible.

“It has to lead to meaningful cuts in pollution emissions,” Mr. Sadik said. “Regulations in terms of intensity are a waste of time because emissions continue to rise.”

Of course, the Cons (like their Alberta cousins) are perfectly happy to keep wasting time as long as they're able to keep getting positive press based on their posturing. Which means that there'll be no realistic chance for real emission-reduction plans to be implemented as long as the media is willing to pretend that "intensity" targets are anything but an excuse to keep increasing emissions.

Update: Of course, the media could do even worse by ignoring the "intensity" farce entirely. Which brings us to CanWest's coverage...