A comparative argument for GHG mitigation...

The Heart & Stroke Foundation has a series of disturbing and provocative advertisements running that display the consequences of smoking. They all end with the thought-provoking line, "Quitting is hard. Not quitting is harder."

This sentiment rings true for climate change and many other environmental problems. Many are comparing the current economic downturn to the economic declines that would occur if the world had to reduce the recommended level of GHG emissions in the future. Rex Murphy's rather pessimistic and frankly, largely inaccurate argument for this case was printed in this weekend's Globe and Mail.

To those who think we won't be able to reduce our emissions to ultimately save ourselves from a warming world, take a look at the Heart & Stroke Foundation's message. It will be hard, but the alternative could be devastating.

And perhaps those well-funded climate change groups could learn a thing or two on how to market their ideas...