Ed, by your logic we should all forget about acting local (have you seen what emissions are like there - so why bother reducing here right? - 'waste of time') and give up on anything that saves our environment here in Canada. In other words live like people do in china.
To which I say, NO THANKS.
To me, those who are trying to save the right to eat shark fin go hand in hand with those walking around in colour clashing LV and Gucci outfits and gold laces on their sneakers while they spit phlegm or farmer blow their noses in front of the bank/store/restaurant they're dropping big money on, then look at you and wonder why you've got a disgusted look on your face.
By my logic, living in British Columbia we should be more focused on issue that is in front of us, for example the pipeline that is being built from Alberta or importing Chinese labour to work our mines instead of employing Canadians. Funny thing is, even if Shark fin is federally banned in Canada, 0 Sharks will be saved therefore how will banning it save our environment? The ban would probably create an underground market for Shark Fin ( less taxes going to the government). Why dont we spend the time saving 0 Sharks, and spend it on activities that will actualy save something. Correct me if i'm wrong, Canada still fishes for bluefin tuna which is considered an endangered species?
Canada is a developed (first world) country and China is a developing (third world country), it's obvious with the type of industries they have in China that they will produce more emmisions. Canada is a staples economy which means we rely a lot on our natural resources = less pollution. But before you start pointing fingers at China's emissions, Canadians per capita wise are the most wasteful population in the world (water, electricity, etc). Last time I checked, Canada pulled out of the Kyoto Protocal which is aiming to cut emmisions.
To me, those who are trying to oppose Shark Fin soup go hand in hand with those who cannot afford to live in Vancouver, are bitter that their jobs and homes have been taken away by Chinese people who are harder workers (harder work = you make more money to afford the LV and Gucci), people who have nothing better to do (no skills or education) that want to feel important and hypocritical people who do not see problems within our own borders but instead likes to point fingers at others (similar to our neighboring Americans).