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January/February 2009 issue	In this issue Table of Contents Feature: Nunavut Feature: Royal Ontario Museum Feature: Hero school The Inside Story Editor’s Notebook Reverberations À la carte

Tax taboo
I read Chris Turner’s article on Norway’s carbon tax ("The carbon cleansers," Oct 2008) with great relief. During the recent federal election, the notion of a carbon tax created such controversy that it practically became taboo. The urgency of the matter was overshadowed by the usage of the term "tax," which many consider a nuisance regardless of the severity of the issue. Those opposing it reveal more than just their disapproval for an additional tax; apparently they are not overly concerned for our environment. There is more at risk here than simply the depth of our wallets. The role of human activity in climate change has become a question of morality. Considering that we all play a part in polluting our environment, there is no excuse for refuting this tax.

Alex Racine
Edmonton

I have just finished reading - again - "The carbon cleansers" by Chris Turner. It made me extra proud to be Norwegian - well, Canadian of Norwegian heritage. I have long been proud of its social democracy, that it cares about all its citizens, and of its peacekeeping efforts in the world. I very much enjoy your magazine.

Hilda K. (Tellefsen) Voth
Sydney, B.C.

Vicki’s bee lobbying
I really appreciate the article on Guelph’s pollinator park ("Plight of the bumblebee," Dec 2008). In it, author Candace Savage mentioned that city council has now given the project its official "seal of approval." That might not have happened without the tireless lobbying of City Councillor Vicki Beard. As one of Vicki’s colleagues on council, I admit that I had little knowledge of the scope of the problem of disappearing pollinator habitat until Vicki enlightened me and other councillors. She has been a fount of information on this topic, as well as a fierce advocate for the cause.

Last year, Vicki travelled to Washington to receive an award for her efforts. When this project comes to fruition, I hope that elected officials from around the world come to visit it and to find out how to replicate it in their own municipalities and cities. That’s Vicki’s ultimate goal: to see this initiative spread far beyond Guelph’s boundaries.

Maggie Laidlaw
Ward 3 Councillor

Guelph, Ont.

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* Letters may be edited for length, accuracy and liability.