A few days ago, I noticed something pretty striking when reading the U.S. State Department's report about the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. It made me wonder if the U.S. officials are really paying attention to what's happening up here in B.C.
The report claimed the pipeline is "not likely" to "result in significant environmental effects" and that it would make "no substantive change in global greenhouse gas emissions." The underlying assumption was that even if Keystone XL wasn't built that Enbridge and/or Kinder Morgan's pipelines would be built and the tar sands would continue to grow.
Meanwhile last weekend, the clear favourite to be the next premier of B.C., NDP Leader Adrian Dix, made climate change and pipelines a key feature of a campaign launch speech in Burnaby. Clearly Dix is of course much more aware of the public opposition to these pipeline proposals on Canada's West Coast.
I was in the room for Dix's speech, and I was very pleased to hear the B.C. NDP leader make multiple references to our responsibility to take action to stop climate change and renew his pledge again to oppose the Enbridge Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline.
This echoed the strong words from U.S. President Barack Obama who also emphasized the issue of climate change in his inaugural speech and State of the Union address. The re-elected president said: "We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that failure to do so would betray our children and future generations."
Right now, the whole world is watching to see if Obama's talk about climate change will impact his decision to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project. Regardless of the State Department's report, ultimately it takes Obama's signature to make this proposed pipeline a reality.
The State Department report was written as if we were living in a "business as usual" world. The reality is that the business-as-usual mentality must be a thing of the past if we are to truly act to stop climate change. Sure, if the tar sands was going to expand at the same rate regardless of the Keystone XL decision then they would be right; it wouldn't make a difference in terms of greenhouse gases. But that isn't the case as none of those pipelines are a done deal -- far from it.
Dix's NDP is promising -- if it forms government in B.C. -- to establish a "made in B.C." environmental review of the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan pipelines which would take back B.C.'s power to reject these proposed pipelines through our province. This is an important step since the Stephen Harper government has made it crystal clear they will continue to push these pipelines through regardless of the opposition in B.C.
There is a massive movement to stop these tar sands pipelines on both sides of the border, and we are working hand in hand with people all over the globe who want to see this continent play a responsible role in the global community in the era of climate change. Those of us that are on the ground working hard to stop these pipelines are seeing the world very differently than the U.S. State Department. We see real momentum for meaningful change.
Obama and Dix can choose to plot a course. A course towards more dependence on dirty tar sands oil -- a business-as-usual approach -- or, towards a shift in focus with a reduced dependence. The good news is that choosing the better path actually creates opportunity for lots and lots of jobs. Moving beyond tar sands oil means more public transit, more high speed rail, more green building and, overall, a more diversified economy.
Ultimately, make no mistake, we will stop these pipelines and the growth of the tar sands with or without these political leaders. Sooner or later in a democracy, people power will win. Their comments on climate action are a good sign, but these pipeline decisions are a real fork in the road.
Both of these men, Obama and Dix, hold in their hands the power to reject tar sands pipelines and in doing so put into action their pledge to reduce the kind of pollution that causes climate change. It's up to them to decide which side of this struggle they are really on.
The options at hand are either the side of big oil corporations or the side of the people on planet earth who want to see change for the better. To put it plainly, they have to decide if they want to be on the right side of history or not.
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<em>From Getty:</em> SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 25: Protestors against the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline hold signs and stand on a Keith Haring sculpture as they demonstrate outside of the W Hotel before the arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama on October 25, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of protestors from a wide variety of activist groups staged protests outside of the W Hotel where President Obama was holding a $7,500 per person fundraiser. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
<em>From Getty:</em> SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 25: A protestor against the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline climbs on a Keith Haring sculpture as he demonstrates outside of the W Hotel where U.S. President Barack Obama was holding a fundraiser on October 25, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Hundreds of protestors from a wide variety of activist groups staged protests outside of the W Hotel where President Obama was holding a $7,500 per person fundraiser. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators listen to speakers in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline. (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators listen to speakers in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline. (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)
<em>From Getty:</em> A demonstrator waves signs in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> A demonstrator dressed as an oil soaked bird in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators listen to speakers in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> A demonstrator holds signs in front of the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> A demonstrator holds a magazine open to an article concerning tanker routes for the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline in front of the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> Children demonstrate in front of the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators hold up a banner in front of the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators begin to line up around the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators in front of the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> Demonstrators line up in front of the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>From Getty:</em> A sign is seen in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011 during a protest. Thousands of people are descending on the White House to join hands with one another and stand up to the Keystone XL pipeline.
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6320235175/in/set-72157628079975942" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6320925438/in/set-72157628079975942" target="_hplink">Emma Cassidy and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6320975886/in/set-72157628079975942" target="_hplink">Shadia Fayne Wood and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6320307073/in/set-72157628079975942" target="_hplink">Amy Dewan and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6320919878/in/set-72157628079975942" target="_hplink">Emma Cassidy and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6320760272/in/set-72157628079975942" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/6321050482/in/set-72157628079975942/" target="_hplink">Clayton Conn and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mothernature/6306631974/" target="_hplink">mothernature photography</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
<em>Flickr image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarsandsaction/" target="_hplink">Josh Lopez and Tar Sands Action</a>.</em>
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Maybe you could go to the States or China and advocate there..as their pollution is far worse than our contributions. Maybe see if Tides will pay you for that...??
I also dont hear him bitching about other issues like the defoliation of the Province in cutting beetle timber, but the oil sands boogeyman probably brings in more donations to ForestEthics than that issue. Or, maybe ForestEthics string pullers and big funders (like Tides) direct the advocacy only at oil sands...???
So sick of these enviros and their selective criticism...and also sick of career environmentalists who make it their job to fear monger about issues.....all just to keep their issue in the news and garner more donations to keep the cycle going.
That's why I ragged on him about making his living from the oil sands...he's a parasitic leech on society really that contributes nothing