Unnatural Law author David R. Boyd evaluates Clean Air Act and Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

As recently highlighted in The Globe and Mail, David R. Boyd's expertise on the strengths and weaknesses of Canadian environmental law and policy led to his testifying before the parliamentary committee charged with reviewing the proposed Clean Air Act. Boyd's report ("Reality check: Climate change and the proposed Clean Air Act";) draws on his book, Unnatural Law-the authoritative account of the state of Canada's environmental law and policy.

In light of the recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Conservatives' promotion of their Clean Air Act, and BC Premier Gordon Campbell's throne speech announcement of ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, Boyd's expertise is more germane than ever, and Unnatural Law provides invaluable insight and context for understanding these crucially important issues.

Boyd's report to the parliamentary committee emphasizes many of the conclusions of Unnatural Law. He recommends Canada's continued commitment to Kyoto as essential both for addressing our environmental crisis as well as for rebuilding our tarnished international reputation. Nations implementing strong policies to meet their Kyoto commitments are outperforming Canada both environmentally and economically, argues Boyd. For example, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark have imposed carbon taxes but the World Economic Forum ranks their economic competitiveness well ahead of Canada.

While Boyd concedes that Canada may no longer be in a position to meet its initial obligations under the Kyoto agreement, we must not turn our back on Kyoto, but rather, redouble our commitment. Canada urgently needs to implement effective policies, including a carbon tax and strong regulations, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Canada's ultimate objective must be to look beyond Kyoto and commit to achieving an absolute emissions reduction of 80% by 2050, as climate scientists indicate is necessary.

With political debate raging over whether Canada can, or even should, endeavour to meet its Kyoto targets, few people are as capable as David Boyd in explaining the reasons why some laws and policies foster progress while others fail-and the costs and consequences of our action and inactions in the struggle to manage climate change.