Dear Editor:
Re: Climate change ignored in pipeline hearings, Burnaby NOW, Feb. 19.
Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our province and country's prosperity. The B.C. New Democrat Official Opposition believes that the National Energy Board and all environmental assessment processes must take climate change and our international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into account.
B.C. has already lost more than a billion dollars and thousands of jobs in forestry due to the pine beetle infestation, and our salmon are struggling as water temperatures rise due to climate change.
The record-breaking drought in California and the increasing number of powerful storms are further examples of how climate change doesn't just threaten the environment, it threatens our economy.
If we want to ensure our children and our grandchildren will enjoy the same quality of life that we take for granted, our federal and provincial governments need a real plan to fight climate change.
British Columbians want to do their part, it's time our governments do the same.
Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C. New Democrat official opposition critic for the environment
