Good news for stopping carbon pollution in BC

Today, on Earth Day, the NDP under Adrian Dix made a convincing case for British Columbians' support in the upcoming provincial election by re-affirming its opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and stating its opposition to the proposed KinderMorgan expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Our political leaders must have the honesty and courage to reject jobs that involve accelerating carbon pollution, yet the BC Liberals under Christy Clark have been completely silent on this ethical duty to our kids - in spite of claims to care about families. As an economist, I have seen strong evidence that we can create sustainable jobs to replace the earth-destroying jobs from expanding coal and oil production. In 2007 the BC government stopped two coal-fired and one natural gas-fired power plants and the replacement electricity from wood waste, small hydro, wind and other renewables created far more jobs according to independent analysis by leading accounting firms.
The BC NDP also announced today that it would expand the carbon tax to the venting of CO2 and methane in the production of natural gas. Again, economists such as me should be supporting this measure as these emissions have real costs now and in future to our kids. Using these additional revenues to expand public transit and other climate solutions is the best thing for our province and the planet.

Also check out a previous blog I wrote on this topic entitled: Climate and Voting – the environmental, social justice and survival issue of our times