Dear Editor:
Climate change expert Mark Jaccard from Simon Fraser University says B.C. is on its way to blowing its emission reduction targets.
This concerns me on a number of levels, not the least of which is the fact B.C. has, up until now, been a world leader on environmental issues with the toughest greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in North America.
According to Jaccard, the only way for B.C. to meet its emission reduction targets is through a major move to renewable energy such as hydroelectricity, wind, solar, or run-of-river.
Fortunately, renewable energy is available in great abundance within B.C.’s borders and we merely need to develop it and put it into service for the province to maintain its environmental leadership.
In terms of job creation, I can’t think of anything that would produce more jobs throughout B.C. than a plan to massively expand the province’s renewable energy infrastructure on a scale similar to that of the massive hydro energy development projects that took place during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Jobs and the environment don’t need to cancel each other out. British Columbia can successfully lead on both.
Sincerely,
Yolanda Lora Vilchis
Surrey, B.C.
