Earth Day was April 22 and once again fossil fuels ranked at the top of climate issues facing the planet.
The top 10 fossil fuel exporting countries represent around 60 per cent of the total exported fossil fuel emissions. The top six countries (Russia, Australia, US, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Canada) represent 50 per cent of total exported emissions. These countries have a key role to play in enabling a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. The fossil fuel export business model is not in line with the goal of “transitioning away” from fossil fuels.
Any decreases we have made to our emissions will now be wiped out with increased emissions from new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants starting up. According to well respected scientists and their peers, LNG projects are environmentally equivalent to coal plants. So we will have the equivalent of two new coal plants in our region, LNG Canada and Cedar LNG. According to many physicians, LNG is very unhealthy for people living nearby.
LNG Canada is starting to spew out methane emissions, which are 86 times more potent a green house gas than CO2, along with other forever toxic chemicals, Cedar LNG will be following up with emitting the same noxious chemicals.
Now, with the election threats of overturning Bill C-48 (The Oil Tanker Moratorium) - another nightmare coming back to life - would spew out yet more noxious emissions. And do we want the potential of oil spills that destroy biodiversity and marine life?
These projects are costlier than we can afford with all our subsidies, grants and freebies given to fossil fuel companies that are profiteering off our tax dollars. A very few walk away with loads of our money while we are left with destruction after destruction every year.
First Onsite Property Restoration’s annual Weather and Property Survey for this year of more than 1,500 adults found that three quarters of Canadians are worried about being affected by climate change, extreme weather, and disasters.
This concern was highest in Atlantic Canada at 79 per cent, followed by Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia, all of which were above 75 per cent. And then there are the communities that have lost everything. Ask them how easy it is to face the devastation and loss.
I wonder, will you still have a home to live in?
Additionally, three quarters of Canadians are concerned that climate change is driving up the cost of their home or business insurance. This is an eight per cent increase over last year. More than one-third of respondents report they have already experienced increases in their property insurance rates. Will you qualify for home insurance in the future when insurance companies can no longer pay for all the climate destruction? Then where will you live? And will the fossil fuel companies be willing to replace your home?
Due to climate change, our temperatures are rising causing wildfires, our snowpack is less than 80 per cent of normal, our glaciers are receding at an alarming rate, drought affects agriculture, rivers are warming, etc. This is not good. What do you want your summer to look like?
It’s economic madness to not transition off fossil fuels with the cost of renewables falling.
Climate change is costing Canadians big time.
This is a golden opportunity for community- based approaches to sustainability and for the future of our youth.
Mary Ann Shannon,
Terrace, B.C.
