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Letter: One Indigenous mother's plea for the planet

Destroying the land in the name of fossil fuels is no way forward for Canada, she writes.
forestedlandincanada
Saving land, trees and animals needs to be a top priority for Canada in a switch to renewable energy, writes this Indigenous mother.

Editor:

I am Indigenous, mother, grandmother, aunty, hard-working person for 38 years.

We must begin to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to meet the 2030 and 2050 climate targets necessary for a livable planet. Already we have seen drought and floods in our temperate zone of the world, where our breathing, living is affected in long term ways i.e. brain problems from bad air (fires that take away trees that bring in good oxygen).

It makes me feel sad that the people we elect in Parliament put blinders on and pretend nothing's happening, especially the Prime Minister, who ordered the oil lines in through beautiful land, tearing up trees, sacred medicines, animals just because he bought this.

It isn't for us Canadians; we suffer while the money goes to the States. So many people are hurt and angry by his lack of respect for this land, the people on it and the water that will be affected.

Renewable energy prices are more stable and predictable than oil and gas prices. If we want energy security, reliability and affordability, renewables are the way forward. If done well, shifting to clean, renewable electricity will bring well-paid, skilled jobs and more stability and security in a global market that is transitioning away from fossil fuels.

April Bennett