To Canada's Climate deniers..

With the U.N. Climate Change Conference - COP26 - under way, this time in Glasgow (with Canadian PM Trudeau's presence belying our country's worse-than-ever dearth of Climate-Action progress) I feel obligated to consolidate local focus on some prevailing, relevant truths from those with the inside edge - i.e. the scientists on the frontlines of climate studies - (a) in emails with Sierra Club BC, below (b) Comments on articles such as the one reporting Extinction Rebellion's latest 'die-in' protest, here: 

Link to Vancouver Sun article

YOU & the blind 'majority' need to realize extinction & downgrade of Nature's ecosystems has been the creeping, insidious adjunct of human activity/industry since the start of the Industrial Revolution, with the worst of it concentrated in the past 2 decades - as officially confirmed by the world's top scientists - despite urgent warnings of the dire consequences of rising GHG emissions caused by polluting industries like agriculture/ logging (deforestation), mining (fossil fuels/ pollution) etc.

Science has also outlined specific counteractions we can (& must) take to mitigate & reverse outcomes such as climate change / global warming - eg. Reducing GHGs & ending deforestation of our oldest ecosystems (i.e. 'Lungs of the Earth', along with Brazil's Amazon rainforest).  Ignoring Science's calls to action exacerbates the worst effects - yet that's exactly what our leaders have done from day 1, with catastrophic results like wildfires diminishing our defences & putting whole populations at risk!

The global Climate Conference is again upon us, at which Canada - once again - must report our woeful failure to meet EVERY commitment made to IPCC-led GHG goals:  i.e. We're NOT 'doing our part' per climate action by honing the most ecocidal industries (like LNG/ TarSands) instead of transitioning to the eco-forward options available in every sector.

None of this comes solely from me/ the 'minority' - it's globally-acknowledged Science SPELLING OUT our obligations & responsibilities of the most urgent order, which we'd be fools to downplay and/or dismiss.

(Nature iS our sole provider that holds the keys to our future survival & signals how & where we're lacking/remiss:  we need to heed her messages, else follow our leaders off the cliff like lemmings)

NOW, here's Sierra Club's important email to me (my response below that, & Elisabeth's reply below mine):

B.C. old-growth announcement confirms ecological emergency 

Dear Sarah,

Your hard work, calls, emails and ongoing pressure is working.  Finally, the B.C. government has released new information and mapping on the state of old-growth forests in B.C. that confirms what we have been saying all along: we are in an ecological emergency.  Thanks to thousands of people like you, the B.C. government identified 2.6 million hectares of the most at-risk old-growth forests that require deferrals. But the government offered little details on when those deferrals will take place.

Because we've been told false promises before, Sierra Club BC remains very concerned about the lack of certainty on how the province will ensure that all logging companies in B.C. pause logging in the areas identified. Also noted is the lack of funding for Indigenous Nations and forestry workers that would enable a paradigm shift in how we manage forests.  Jens Wieting, our Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner explains:

“The work by the technical advisory panel shared today by the B.C. government shows the province’s ecological emergency in unprecedented detail and pinpoints which old-growth forests need immediate interim protection. Despite delays, it’s not too late to use this new mapping to stop the ongoing destruction of the most at-risk old-growth forests and implement the paradigm shift towards ecological integrity while respecting Indigenous jurisdiction,”

“Making the paradigm shift a reality will depend on quickly offering clarity on where and when the next logging deferrals will hit the ground and what level of support communities can count on. Without these steps, today’s announcement would be equivalent to adding tigers to the red-listed species, but not ending the hunt immediately."

The good news is that we no longer have to argue with government and industry about how much old growth is left. But with only $12 million in capacity funding for Indigenous Nations while they make decisions on logging deferrals in their territories, today’s announcement falls short on giving communities a safe and clear path to safeguarding ancient and intact forests.

We didn't see any financing to support forestry workers and there was no information on financing for Indigenous-led conservation solutions. Making the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a reality requires adequate funding to give Indigenous Nations a real choice when it comes to ending destructive resource extraction on their lands and waters.

We don't want you to think it's all doom and gloom. Another bright spot in today's announcement is that the province announced that BC Timber Sales will stop selling logging licenses in the most at-risk forests that were identified. BC Timber Sales controls one-fifth of logging in the province, meaning this step should result in interim protection for about 500,000 hectares of the most at-risk old-growth forests.  Of course, there's always a caveat and Jens warns:

“Without binding mechanisms for all operators, there is a risk that the new mapping could unleash a race to the bottom if operators decide to cut down the identified at-risk forests before interim protection is in place."

For now, ancient trees will continue to fall but it's important to remember that our efforts are working.  The progress is not as fast as we would like, and it's not time to rest on our laurels.  But we need to celebrate the fact that today's announcement is a step in the right direction, and it wouldn't have happened without you and thousands of people around the globe who love this place and want to change our relationship with forests.

For the last year, international news from B.C. has been about police violently arresting forest defenders to clear the path for clearcutting some of the last old-growth forests on Southern Vancouver Island. The world is watching from the UN COP 26 conference in Glasgow and elsewhere, eagerly waiting for news on when at-risk old-growth forests in B.C. will be truly protected.

Thanks for being part of our community.  Every voice is needed - especially yours.

Warmly,

Elisabeth Noble
Manager of Donor Engagement

(My reply to that email:)

Thanks for this Elisabeth – & while it’s good to hear the BC Govt’s latest announcements, I trust by now we’ve all learned that their words (almost without exception) have meant exactly ZERO vis-à-vis their claimed ‘paradigm shift’, i.e. Real changes in the forests/ on the ground.. As Jens Weiting said, “Without binding mechanisms for all operators, there is a risk that the new mapping could unleash a race to the bottom if operators decide to cut down the identified at-risk forests before interim protection is in place..” – May I be so bold as to suggest that scenario is ALREADY HAPPENING, RE-confirming your subject-line’s EMERGENCY like a delayed siren & demanding extra renewed efforts to make Govt honor their intentions, B4 it truly iS too late~!?

 

With Govt delays making a mockery of their Old-Growth Panel’s URGENT recommends, I strongly feel NOW is the critical time to consolidate all individual, disparate initiatives (eg. in your Action Takers Guide) into an ALL-IN concentrated & coordinated push (pref. in alliance with other forest-defending org’s!) that UPS THE ANTE on DESIRED RESULTS:  I.E. Ensuring Govt’s permanent legislated protections for our old-growth forests.. ASAP.  We need to show Horgan’s govt. their words have lost all credibility – while more At-Risk forests are lost forever thanks to Govt’s total absence of supportive actions!?

 

We forest defenders have been valiantly doing aLL we can – taking actions, on repeat – for months/ years, to no real avail besides Govt’s endless intentions stated over actual ACCELERATED CLEARCUTS/ DEFORESTATION:  continuing more of the same will presumably prove as pointless!?  If we don’T increase pressure NOW & show Govt. we REFUSE TO LOSE (led by  non-profits we support) we risk losing our priceless Old-Growth ecosystems forever.. & THAT is unthinkable.

 

 

In solidarity, SC.

(& Elisabeth's response to mine:)

Hi Sarah,

 

We completely agree.  The work is not happening fast enough.  But I really do think there is some hope.  No question we will lose more ancient forests…but everyone who we know in government says this is the most pressure and momentum they’ve ever seen in their lives.  Changes are coming, some old growth will be protected permanently, and we cannot let them off the hook.

 

We are already seeing “The Sky is Falling” type Op-Eds from the Steelworkers and ResourceWorks.  Now is definitely the time to call your MLA, thank them, and make sure they know you’re not giving up and will continue to hold them accountable!

 

Thank you so much for sending in a donation and for your work on the front lines.  I’ve only been out for a few days – never overnight.  So grateful for everyone who is stepping up to the plate.

 

Elisabeth Noble, CFRE

Manager of Donor Engagement

Sierra Club BC

Lekwungen Territory

Inspiring generations to defend nature and confront climate change, so families, communities and the natural world can prosper together.

BREAKING: TRUDEAU JUST APPROVED RUINOUS TMX EXPANSION!!?

[Breaking News June 18th 2019 from Protect the Inlet]

Dear Sarah, Canada just approved the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project - so it's time to raise our voices. We're meeting at the corner of Georgia and Hamilton in downtown Vancouver where we will march to show Ottawa that no matter who approves this pipeline and tanker project - it will never be built.  TIME: 5:30 PM Pacific | LOCATION: 700 Hamilton at Georgia, outside CBC Vancouver building Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/453965592084200 This is a Climate Emergency - it's time to act like it. We're organizing for a summer of resistance, check out ways you can join in: https://www.stoptransmountainpipeline.org/ Front Line Defence Door Knocking Phone Banking Community Power Solutions This Saturday, June 22, Protect the Inlet and George will be in Victoria for a 22 kilometre walk where local activists have been building a Tiny House to support the Secwepemc Tiny House Warriors, who are preparing for land defence in the Interior of British Columbia. 7 km of Saturday’s march will occupy the highway, before delivering a completed Tiny House to Island View Beach. To join them, find all the info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/331462934205597/ If you can, it's time to build up our resources, please donate here: https://protecttheinlet.ca/asp-products/donations/ There's a famous saying, "Don't mourn, organize." Take a little bit of time to mourn, then let's work together to beat the Climate Emergency and stop this destructive dirty pipeline. Have faith in yourself and each other -- we can do it together.  Yours in solidarity and love, Sarah, Will, Tegan, Howie and the PTI team

Letter 2 Govt: REJECT TMX PIPELINE EXPANSION!

[via letter-writing tool @ DavidSuzuki.org ] --but majorly customized, i.e. re-written by me!

[PS. TRUDEAU:  YOU ARE FIRED!]

Dear PM Trudeau & Cabinet

URGENT:   DECISION ON TRANS MOUNTAIN (TMX) PIPELINE EXPANSION

As an informed Canadian citizen & resident of Vancouver BC, I feel it’s my duty to communicate my deep concerns to Government officials over this critical life-or-death decision.  I urge you to re-consider the far-reaching & irreversible consequences of approving this TMX Expansion, & to use your position as a Government official to reject this onerous project.

The broadest-ranging effects of the TMX Pipeline Expansion relate directly to its status as a fossil-fuel mega-project that entails constructing the world's largest open-pit tar sand mine, which would wipe out 292 square kilometers of Alberta’s forests & wetlands.  Extracting & refining tar sand oil - the world’s dirtiest fuel – has already turned vast swathes of northern Alberta into a wasteland of cleared forests [critical wildlife habitat], poisoned water [eg. heavy metals from tailings] & polluted air [refineries emit increasing levels of GHGs].

Approving TMX would make a mockery of Canada’s commitment to climate action..

The world has already witnessed more than 2 decades of discussion about the reality of a warming planet, starting with the UNFCC’s 1992 Earth Summit where nearly all the world’s nations agreed on a need to stabilize GHG (CO2) concentrations:  http://unfccc.int/meetings/copenhagen_dec_2009/meeting/6295.php

17 years later in 2009, more than 100 world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen committed to limiting global warming no more than 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures - beyond which the UNFCC & other experts predict irreversible & potentially catastrophic climate change impacting coastal regions, food production, water supplies & more. Since global warming is already underway (average global temperature has risen 0.85°C since pre-industrial levels) experts believe we can’t afford a temperature increase of more than 1.2°C above today’s level. The European Commission on Climate Action states, “To stay within this ceiling, the scientific evidence shows that the world must stop the growth in global GHG emissions by 2020 at the latest, reduce them by at least half of 1990 levels by the middle of this century & continue cutting them thereafter.”

2020 is next year.  And Canada’s carbon tax, “Climate Action” & other weak initiatives have failed to slow our steep rise of CO2/GHG levels.  If ever there were a time Govt leaders had to step up & take action to protect our precious natural resources & transition to green energy policies, IT IS NOW.  As Genus Capital’s sheet reads, Canada’s economy will only benefit by moving away from fossil fuels.  Opposition to TMX is backed by science.  Green energy leads oil & gas in both number of employed & growth rate for jobs in Canada. This pipeline locks us into decades more eco-destruction & tarsands pollution, which the global scientific community is desperately trying to tell us we cannot afford if we hope to have a habitable planet in the near future..

This is not a distant threat, it is here & now.. We are living unsustainably. Easy access to cheap, abundant oil has created a high standard of living for many cultures and societies. At the same time, the extraction, refining, distribution & use of this oil – as energy & in products – is increasingly undermining many of our planet’s life forms & the fragile balance of conditions that support climate stability & human prosperity. These effects are occurring on local, regional & global scales.  The Arctic & Greenland icecaps are melting at an increasing rate of speed.  Dead fish are washing ashore in Nova Scotia, & Orcas are struggling to survive in an increasingly industry-heavy Vancouver harbour.  It is imperative that we fight climate change & the ways in which climate change is exacerbated.  Supporting the financial interests of banks & oil barons is not sustainable, & the building of additional capacity to transport oil is simply criminal.  We need to stop producing and exporting more fossil fuels.  Period.  Building more pipelines only increases production of fossil fuels:  simple math/logic.

The public interest in slowing down global warming & preventing more environmental pollution/spills must take precedence over the selfish financial interests of tar sands investors & the political interests of politicians who pander to status-quo industries desperately clinging to yesterday’s consumer-driven economics without compromise.  It is up to YOU, dear leaders, to make up for Canada’s lost time spent ignoring/ suppressing scientific imperatives.. & ACT on behalf of all Canadians to bring about a sustainable future..

We residents of BC are in panic mode over this impending TMX approval, for many reasons.  Expanding the Trans Mountain pipeline will lock in decades of increased tanker traffic & climate-destabilizing carbon emissions. It will also put the incredible ecosystems of Vancouver Harbour, the Fraser River estuary & the Salish Sea at risk from a catastrophic bitumen spill & shipping increases.  The existing & expanded proposal would deliver 890,000 barrels of tar sands oil per day to Vancouver. Oil storage capacity at Burnaby would triple, adding 14 new tanks to store another 3,900,000 barrels. The pipeline would cross more than 500 streams in the Fraser River watershed. Tanker visits would increase by 574% above 2010 levels to more than 400 oil-laden trips through Burrard Inlet, the Fraser estuary, the Gulf Islands, Haro Strait & Juan de Fuca Strait, every year.  The integrity of our waters would be forever destroyed, for questionable economics that have not even been properly analyzed or disseminated..

This is a frightening prospect that we have a responsibility to oppose.

The threat from oil tankers to Southern Resident killer whales, a listed Species At Risk, is insupportable.  Importantly, even if the project goes completely according to plan, with no oil spills & no ship strikes, the increased noise alone from more than 800 tanker transits significantly increases their risk of extinction. When cumulative effects are considered, these whales face more than 50% chance of functional extinction within the next century.  If you approve the TMX expansion anyway, the catastrophic outcome will be on your heads, to explain to your children & grandchildren.

Please read Raincoast’s Executive Summary reporting the risks posed to the Fraser River’s productive salmon populations:

https://www.raincoast.org/reports/salmon-oil-pipeline/

Being emotionally overwhelmed by the number of threats currently endangering BC's environment & the wildlife I care about, I include this link to details on exactly how the TMX Expansion would affect BC, by the unflinchingly hard-working Raincoast Conservation group:

https://www.raincoast.org/trans-mountain-pipeline/

Canada’s recent policy changes aimed at reducing carbon emissions will be undermined by the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. Building major infrastructure for oil and gas exportation will have catastrophic implications for decades to come. 

Please take every reasonable action to reject the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Sincerely,

Sarah (Saz) Chesterman
Vancouver, BC

Letter to PM re. #StopKM (via 350.org)

The fight to stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline from being built is going strong as KM hurls toward their May 31st deadline to decide.  WE Cdns are cringing @ Justin Trudeau (ouR own PM!) desperately offering to bail out the Big Oil giant with billion$ of PUBLIC DOLLARS!  Disgusting.. (He's supposed to be on OUR SIDE!)

Here's what the pipeline is expected to support: (Expansion  of Tar Sands!)
Rainforest Rescue petition

THRU 350.ORG I wrote this letter to PM Trudeau:


PM Trudeau: Bailing out the Kinder Morgan pipeline = Canada's RUIN

Like many Canadians who wanted to 'Stop Harper', I was hopeful for a fresh, gReeneR way when you were elected Prime Minister.  What Canadian wasn'T excited about a platform that promised reaL action on climate change, reaL Reconciliation with First Nations & an end to fossil fuel subsidies?  Like the rest of the world, we've been waking up to the horrors humans conTinue to  inflict on our environment --& our future.  Science confirmed results of its most in-depth research on the past century of industry on the natural systems on which all life on Earth depends to live --30 years ago-- & we cannnoT aFFoRd to continue clearcutting life-sustaining forests & poisoning our air, earth & water by prevailing unsustainable means of agriculture, energy, industry, manufacturing ET AL..

We're now @ a critical crossroads --& YOU are the leader Canadians elected to take us out of the polluted darkness into the lighT:  AWAY from corporate-sponsored, unlimited (+ unlivable)  'convenience'/ 'growth'/ pollution/ profiTs/ waste.. & TOWARD livable, sustainable processes that put requisite RENEWAL/SOWING back into aLL WE REAP --before it's too late..

WE CANNOT ACCEPT that your government now wants to use biLLion$ of public dollars to build a massive climate-disturbing pipeline that supports toxic Tar-Sands expansion, withouT Indigenous consent!???

WE ARE DEPENDING ON YOU, JUSTIN TRUDEAU & Co., to act in OUR best interests & serve YOUR public as promised!  If you continue to back this destructive project, you wiLL LOSE THE RESPECT, SUPPORT & TRUST OF THE CANADIAN PUBLIC..

OUR EYES ARE OPEN:  this generation is NOT FOOLED BY YESTERDAY'S STATUS-QUO/ BIG-BIZ BS:  OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE STARTS NOW --by transitioning out of Climate-warming GHG-emitting processes like deforestation & fossil-fuel extraction/ use into renewable-energy innovation & reduced-footprint sustainability-- OR NEVER.. (Please DO NOT let us down!)


You can write a letter too -- @ this link:
Act.350.org/letter/no-big-oil-bailout/#action-