B.C.'s carbon tax is just one measure needed to combat climate change
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The Editor,
Re. "FACE TO FACE: Becoming carbon-neutral: a waste of time or a good idea?" (The Tri-City News, July 10).
Please add columnist Terry O’Neill to the unfortunate group of people with their heads still firmly in the sand on the issue of global warming.
As Mr. O’Neill so aptly points out, Premier Gordon Campbell’s mandate is to serve the people. With the bold and courageous initiatives that are arguably leading the country, I feel he is perhaps doing exactly that.
While Mr. O’Neill cannot seem to get over the navel-gazing fixation of the carbon tax, he seems to conveniently overlook some of the benefits that it has brought and will bring, not to mention the lifestyle changes that it may slowly be beginning to help.
Global warming is upon us and is a serious concern. I am confident however that we can effect positive change but only when we really want to — or worse, have to. For example, let’s change building codes to mandate the integration of solar panels (or alternate sources of sustainable and clean energy, such as thermal or wind) into every new unit built in B.C., if not Canada. Let’s ban crazy heated outside patios in the middle of winter. Let’s change the carbon tax to $5/litre and then watch our driving habits change.
If we cannot support the simple, small and relatively painless changes the provincial government has brought in, how will we ever take on the large and significantly more challenging ones that are fundamentally needed. Sticking our head in the sand, Mr. O’Neill, is the fastest way to get our backsides kicked.
Bruce Cutayne, Port Coquitlam
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