Canadian fossil fuel companies are trying to use the Ukraine crisis as a reason to expand fossil fuel production in Canada [“Canada to hike oil, gas output by 300,000 barrels a day to help displace Russian fuel,” March 24].
However, as we have seen in BC and the rest of the world, we are also in a climate crisis that is rapidly getting worse. The latest International Panel on Climate Change report was crystal clear: expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure now will increase human suffering in the next 20 years. In any case, expanding fossil fuel capacity in Canada would take far too long to help with the immediate Ukraine crisis.
A much more feasible plan has been put forth by the International Energy Agency. This is a 10-point plan for advanced economies that could lower demand for fossil fuels quickly and dramatically, and includes steps like lowering highway speeds, reducing fares for public transit, flying less, and encouraging ride sharing, walking and biking.
Regarding longer term climate action, right now over 80 per cent of the world’s fossil fuels are produced by authoritarian regimes. For both climate and security reasons, democratic countries should be investing heavily in green energy and regenerative agriculture and forestry practices, not fossil fuels.
Brian Voth,
Powell River
