There is a grain of truth in the “big brother” cartoon on page six of last week’s [February 21] Peak, considering the historical freedoms we enjoy in our prosperous Canadian society.
But it is time for bold action in our greenhouse gas-producing behaviours, and personal transportation is one of them. Transportation is the largest single component of Powell River’s total footprint.
As part of Powell River’s greenhouse gas inventory of transportation alone, 73 per cent was credited to private vehicles (City of Powell River ecoCity Footprint Report November 2018, page 19). It is likely as the population continues to grow, this figure will only increase unless serious efforts are made to control it.
Given the resolution from the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities’ (AVICC) April 2019 convention, it is now time to get a grip on our community-wide emissions. Obtaining accurate data such as odometer readings for a variety of vehicles is essential as a starting point, and to measuring the effectiveness of strategies which may be applied in the future [“City of Powell River supports resolution calling for monitoring of all vehicle odometers,” February 10].
Whether we like it or not, the climate change threat due to even current levels of the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is already having severe impacts around the globe. Many of those involved in assessing this threat at the highest levels of government use terms such as “the equivalent of World War III.”
We all need to do everything we can in every locale.
Reporting our odometer readings when renewing our insurance seems a small contribution to make to the fight against the climate changes we are causing.
Bill Lytle-McGhee, member
Climate Action Powell River
