Hatters mostly agree with mayor over Thunberg non-invite
By COLLIN GALLANT on October 17, 2019.
NEWS FILE PHOTO Mayor Ted Clugston addresses a luncheon audience at the Medicine Hat Lodge in January, 2018. Clugston told the News earlier this week that an invite to enviro-activist Greta Thunberg is unlikely to be extended by the City of Medicine Hat while she is in Alberta, and most Hatters seem to agree with that stance.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
It appears that Greta Thunberg won’t be visiting Medicine Hat during her visit to Alberta, though the debate surrounding the Swedish climate activist arrived in town on Wednesday morning.
The News reported in that edition that top elected officials had little intention of inviting the high school student who is highly critical of the fossil fuel industry.
Mayor Ted Clugston stated Hatters would back his stance that she shouldn’t be given an invite or platform by the city that owns its own natural gas production company and electric utility.
On social media, the story’s connection to readers and commenters rivalled traditionally well-read offerings in the vein of positive economic news and crime.
The majority of comments generally agreed with Clugston’s stance, or questioned her motivation, position or financial backing.
Others felt Albertans should talk a more constructive approach, or at least promote steps already taken to reduce environmental impact of carbon dioxide.
Retired Hatter Lorine Marshall contacted the News directly to say she disagreed with the mayor’s stance and that Hatters and Albertans should have an open dialogue with young people about the future.
“Listening to all sides is how you make good decisions,” she said. “Why wouldn’t you want to?”
One comment stated, “I just feel sorry for this girl. She’s a puppet in this and it’s convenient that it’s happening right at election time.”
“She really brings nothing to the table,” said another.
A poll of the News website showed a nearly 4-1 vote against the Alberta government inviting the activist to a formal meeting to discuss her issues.
The itinerary of her visit has not been released publicly, though some reports suggest something in downtown Calgary, and preparations are underway for a major rally in Edmonton on Friday at the Legislature buildings.
Members of a local climate action club told the News previously that they would consider travelling to join a rally, wherever it was staged.
Thunberg has called for students to “strike” by leaving school on Fridays to draw attention to the warnings of climate scientists and get political and business leaders to act more swiftly on emission reductions.
Critics say her demands are not reasonable or considerate of the needs of the general economy.
Specifically she is calling for a move to renewable energy sources of energy by 2030.
The previous NDP government had a goal of having 30 per cent renewables in a mix of power production by 2030.
The United Conservative government has stated it will keep the previously adopted federal government timetable for the coal phaseout, and support leaving it up to market forces to determine their business plans, though the price of renewable projects is becoming more attractive as project costs drop.
I appreciate Mrs. Marshall’s comments and that she took the time to contact the News to suggest “that Hatters and Albertans should have an open dialogue with young people about the future.” Hers is an open-minded approach that many others, both locally and provincially, seem to have reflexively dismissed, which is unfortunate.