Re: Climate Change

David Sask | Oct 09, 2024

There are numerous reasons for climate change including many that relate to the human habitation of the planet and many that don't. It is very simplistic to lay the blame on oil companies and the subsidies, most of which are tax rules available to all businesses, from governments. Oil companies only supply what we want and when each of us take responsibility for wanting much less, we will reduce our footprint.

Canada produces less that 2% of global GHG emissions (the oilsands 0.15%) so shutting those down will have negligible impact on global GHG emissions. The reality is that people in all undeveloped and developing companies want what we have and would argue that  we have no right to deny them that privilege. Fair or not? So they will get the cheapest energy possible to have reliable, abundant energy and that currently is coal. Demand for fossil fuels by people is what drives the production of fossil fuels and stopping Canada from producing or expanding production will not change global demand one bit. It will however drive up the cost for energy to third world countries as they try to move out of poverty.

Seniors would be better off teaching their children and grandchildren to repair and reuse instead of buying new things. Instead of retiring on a gold plated government pension before 55, seniors could think about "giving back" and working into their 70's, as I do. Immigration is required to replace workers who retired and each additional Canadian adds to our emissions. Accepting personal responsibility instead of blaming others is more helpful.

David Sask