Letter: Climate policy deserves serious attention

By Letter to the Editor on September 8, 2021.

Dear editor,

In response to Larry Samcoe’s Sept. 2 column, “Climate Policies”

The way in which our next government addresses climate change will affect all Canadians. For this reason, climate policy deserves serious attention as we make our voting choices.

So I commend Larry Samcoe for raising the issue in his most recent “Viewpoint” column (“Climate Policies”, September 2).

Unfortunately, Samcoe offers nothing more than a blizzard of doubtful numbers and out-of-context references to dubious “authorities.” In my opinion, his argument and conclusion only obscure the important issues before us.

To summarize: Samcoe describes current efforts to address climate change as expensive, ineffective and misdirected. They should, he says, be replaced by exporting even more fossil fuels to help lift poor countries out of poverty.

Taxes and profits from this increased economic activity could fund research and development into more cost effective (i.e., cheaper) ways to address climate change.

For the time being, according to Samcoe and those of like mind, we should abandon expensive and disruptive action to reduce human impacts on climate. Do nothing, and hope for the best.

Current climate science replies with an unequivocal “no.”

Delay is not an option. Drastic immediate action is needed to reduce emissions, move toward renewable energy sources and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

Similarly, in the upcoming federal election, all major Canadian political parties are presenting concrete proposals to move away from a fossil-fuelled economy. Our choice is of ways and means, not direction.

To contribute to informed voting choices, I suggest Mr. Samcoe address future columns to analyzing the climate policy proposals of our major federal political parties.

For example, which parties offer climate policies that include adaptations to the devastating effects of changing weather patterns?

Which parties accept the overwhelming evidence that fossil fuel use must be reduced as soon as possible, and propose a credible pathway to do so?

Which climate policies incorporate ethical considerations – responsible actions to enhance community life – as well as economic cost-benefit calculations?

Which policies accept that dealing with climate change will be expensive? What measures do they suggest to deal with with the prospect of higher prices, higher taxes and economic and social disruption?

David Gue

Medicine Hat

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