Disappointing Barnes embraces Trump
By Letter to the Editor on August 31, 2018.
Re: “Carbon taxes and hiding from reality,” Aug. 17. Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes is correct that American policies, including the lack of addressing greenhouse gas reduction, has put economic pressure on Canada, forcing a change to carbon pricing. But it’s disappointing that Mr. Barnes disparages our prime minister, whose policies are in line with 70 other countries/regions that also have carbon pricing, and embraces the U.S. president, who has shown ignorance on the issue of greenhouse gases and has referred to global warming as a hoax started by the Chinese. Despite their president’s view, most Americans believe in global warming and there are even a few Republicans (and many Democrats) who support carbon taxes balanced by other tax cuts. They recognize the impacts due to increased greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. One is rising sea level, the impact of which depends on shoreline soil and slope. The Town of Nags Head, N.C., is spending $48 million to dredge sand from the sea to fill in eroding beaches to prevent the loss of water front property. Similar work is being done in other American cities with an estimated 300,000 homes to be affected over the next 30 years. In Miami, flooding occurs with high tides (without rain) sometimes forcing water out storm sewers and shower drains. The city has installed pumps and treatment plants to return water to the ocean with more planned. Long term, roads and buildings will have to be moved or elevated. Other events linked to increased greenhouse gases are the increase and severity of forest fires (due to drier soil), dying coral reefs (largely due to warmer ocean temperatures), and brittle shellfish (due to ocean acidification caused by increased carbon dioxide in the ocean). The reality is that there are already economic impacts due to greenhouse gases, which will only get worse. Mr. Barnes also refers supportively to the Trump tax cuts but surprisingly overlooks that the U.S. federal deficit has increased since the tax cuts were introduced. The Congressional Budget Office indicates the deficit is on pace this year for $804 billion up from $665 billion in 2017. It is projected to hit $1 trillion in 2020. The reality is that the recent performance of the U.S. economy is based on borrowed money. This results in short term gain but long-term pain. Eventually Trump will be held accountable. Denis Hoffman Medicine Hat 11-10
