Editor:
Nara Brenchley of The 2 Degrees Institute calls for comments on B.C.’s and Canada’s program for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and investing in “green power” (Letters, Aug. 17). Her letter is misleading. The following facts may be useful to those wishing to respond:
Canada, with its population of 37 million, contributes only two per cent of all GHGs released into the atmosphere. China (pop. 1.4 billion) and India (1.35 billion) combined contribute over 32 per cent. Nara refers to the Paris Climate Conference of December 2015 when most, if not all, attendees signed an agreement to reduce their GHGs. She failed to mention that the agreement is non-binding. Politicians will sign anything that is non-binding. CAN Europe (Climate Action Network International) recently confirmed that none of the EU’s 28 countries is meeting, or will meet, its CO2 reduction targets.
China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia and Germany (combined population over 3.7 billion) and others are building hundreds of new coal-fired power plants. Germany has demolished 20 villages to mine 1.3 billion tons of ignite (soft coal). Over 40 per cent of Germany’s power comes from coal. China’s new build program will provide an extra 47 GW of coal-fired power. Pakistan has a $35-million loan from China for more coal-fired plants. Over 78 per cent of India’s power comes from coal. The U.K. has given approval for fracking to be used to extract oil and gas from their massive shale deposits.
Nara promotes the use of solar and wind farms. The U.S., Spain, U.K., Germany and others have over 30 years experience with these technologies. Operators have been given subsidies to operate them. Those subsidies have now ended or will end in 2019. They are uneconomic compared to fossil fuels and are at the mercy of Mother Nature. The world’s population grew from 1.6 billion to today’s 7.64 billion in just 100 years and increases by 80 million each year. Countries must have an economic and reliable source of power. Solar and wind will not provide that. I’m afraid that Canada is an insignificant player in this political game.
Paul Rhodes, Sechelt
