I am writing this letter in response to Susan Chappelle’s article in the July 9 issue that in my opinion doesn’t reflect someone “coming out.” Last time I checked “coming out” was a bigger fanfare with certainly more clarity on where someone stands. Your article was pessimistic and wishy-washy, with nothing conclusive other than the message that you are still in the closet (or more accurately, on the fence regarding LNG).
Perhaps the header of your article should have read “Still On The LNG Fence … 'Cuz We Have No Hope.”
I would also like to address some of the points you raised. To your point that 50 per cent of Canadians heat their homes with fracked gas: 50 per cent of Canadians may use gas in their homes, but not all gas in North America is from fracked (or shale) gas. Gas can be and still is extracted using other methods. Please site your source or how you came to this conclusion that 50 per cent of Canadians are using fracked gas in their homes?
The USA Energy Administration projects that fracked gas will account for 46 per cent of gas used in the USA by 2035. This stat does not match what you are implying for Canada. You also mentioned that renewable energy represents less than five per cent of our national energy and at this rate it will take 50 to 100 years before we get off our dependence of fossil fuel. Sadly, our ratio of renewable energy in Canada is in direct relation to corporations and politicians NOT supporting the growth of this sector.
We continue to depress the renewable energy market by directing most of our money and resources into the fossil fuel sector. You contribute to this mindset with statements that it will take 50-100 years to get off our addiction to fossil fuels. You prophesize in negative speak vs. thinking like a progressive leader with ideas on how we can climb to the next level. Other countries have fast forwarded the alternative energy sector – Germany’s success with renewable energy has set the stage for 35 per cent of its electricity to come from renewables by 2020.
Change starts with elected officials agreeing that this is the right step in the right direction and setting goals with priorities that align with a community. Mr. Luther King’s speech started with “I have a dream!” and with the support of many he championed his dream forward. Adversely, your negative speak implies “I have NO dream because we have no hope.” That’s depressing. To your other point that we have “little” say. Those words do not encourage the citizen to act, to have an opinion or to care. If all politicians emphasized this type of messaging we would see voter turn-out decrease to even lower ratios and likely influence complacency among our new voting youth. Change can happen through collective voices coming to a table, big tables. Change can happen when leaders inspire people to dream. Let’s inspire our next generation of young voters to set goals that are bigger than our past generation, to dare to dream and DARE to come FULLY out of the closet and take a stance.
The underlying message of your article to me was don’t bother fighting against LNG as we really have no say and as your elected representative I remain impartial as I close the door to my closet and climb back in where it’s safe.
Michelle Neilson
Squamish
