Arkouda

I will refer you to my previous two comments, and add that it would be better for everyone to stay on point and discuss the topic at hand.

This is an article about Nova Scotia, and the Premier of Nova Scotia, not an article about "the rest of Canada".

Nova Scotia isn't a nation.

Honestly a massive game changer if one uses a bike for transportation.

bikes are awesome in the 6 months winter most of us have to survive yearly in Canada

I agree. They are pretty awesome in the winter, especially with snow tires on.

Yes. With snow tires.

If I were to debate you it would go something like this:

Internal combustion engines are the largest contributors to man made climate change, and ceasing there use entirely would immediately drop the output of pollution to more sustainable and manageable levels.

Evidence of this was seen during COVID lock down.

"During the current COVID-19 pandemic (CP), human activities, which are considered as major sources of various pollutants, were stopped partially to completely almost globally, resulting in reduced pollution levels (Zambrano-Monserrate et al. 2020; Muhammad et al. 2020; Saadat et al. 2020; Gautam 2020b). Community mobility reports (https://www.google.com/covid19/mobility/) depict that human mobility decreased by 90% between 23 February 2020 to 05 April 2020, specifically in European countries (Muhammad et al. 2020). During the same time, a sharp decline in air pollution was noticed worldwide. Climatologists predicted that greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (NO) emissions declined to levels not observed since World War II (Global Carbon Project 2020; Zambrano-Monserrate et al. 2020). Some recent studies have shown that atmospheric emission of multiple pollutants such as NO2, CO2, CO, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 significantly decreased (ESA 2020; Saadat et al. 2020; Dantas et al. 2020; Mahato et al. 2020; Quéré et al. 2020; Ju et al. 2021; Mostafa et al. 2021). Scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) revealed the reduction in NO2 pollution near Wuhan and the trend continued across China (NASA 2020; Dutheil et al. 2020)."

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8819204/

Individuals can make this happen again by simply taking extra time and effort to not use internal combustion engines. If every person with a non commercial vehicle gave it up where possible (Like living in major cities) we could see a turning point in Climate change.

Unfortunately due to a feeling of privilege, intense propaganda, and in many cases sheer laziness people generally do not want to put in any effort to make a difference regarding their personal carbon footprint.

Giving up the internal combustion engine would also allow for a complete redesign of urban environments. Another big factor in the warming planet: Concrete and Asphalt. Removing roads in cities, parking lots, and replacing them with walking paths and more trees, would immediately help cool the planet as there is less heat stored on the surface.

Another wonderful option is storing that heat as energy for use later, like Iceland does with their roads.

In conclusion, the use of personal vehicles and the required infrastructure is incredibly damaging to the environment and removing both variables would see an immediate net positive in regards to climate change. Those who choose not to do their part are a major problem, and saying that is not "insulting those who hold" such an irresponsible, unscientific, and damaging opinion.

Enjoy your toys while you have them.

Take care.

I am not here to debate you or anyone else. If you wish to choose to use something for your convenience that damages the environment, costs more than its worth, and pretend like you are safe behind the wheel that is absolutely your choice.

Just know you are being judged because you are a huge part of the problem, and seemingly joyfully so.

Take care.

How about instead of riding a bike you walk? Or are the evil capitalists attacking sidewalks now too?

It is absolutely your choice on how you decide to live, and you can find an extra three hours in a day to use transit, bike, or walk. Start by cutting out any screen time over an hour in a day and you will likely find an extra 5.

Take care.

I had a bike living in the rural parts of Canada, and used it to get everywhere within the 50-100 kms I needed to go.

I lived in Northern Canada for most of my life. -40 to -50 without a wind chill was normal. We put on warm clothes to go outside for extended periods.

I will car shame anyone in a major city with a vehicle. Mass transit exists.

Canada should not be doing business with either country. When we can, we should decouple from both entirely.

No need to make nice with hostile dictatorships. Especially when those hostile dictatorships are constantly attacking our country and citizens on a regular basis.

Buy a bike. Electric cars are not the answer.