Editor, The Times:
Re: Tom Fletcher’s opinion piece “Voters Guide to Carbon Taxes” in Feb. 9 issue of the Times
I read with grave concern the misinformation presented in Thomas Fletcher’s latest opinion piece. At a time when addressing climate change is at its most urgent, Fletcher implies that human-caused climate change is “propaganda.” His views fly in the face of the overwhelming scientific consensus, as well as many globally esteemed organizations, such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.
We are at a time in history that, if we don’t rapidly reduce our carbon emissions, we are committing our children and grandchildren to a world with ever more extreme forest fires, drought, severe weather, sea level rise and ocean acidification. A refugee crisis of an extent never seen before will happen at a time when our world population peaks. The economic costs will be staggering.
Top economists from around the world tell us that a steadily rising price on carbon emissions is the most effective and least expensive way to reduce our emissions and decarbonize our economy.
It isn’t only progressives and “elites” who favour a predictable and rising carbon price. Recently, a group of Republican elder statesmen presented a proposal to the White House – The Conservative Case for Carbon Dividends – that calls for a steadily rising, revenue-neutral carbon tax with the proceeds returned to households. Gordon Campbell recently endorsed a very similar policy.
Avoiding catastrophic climate change will take a global effort, one that British Columbians and Canadians need to be a part of. I want to be able to tell my grandchildren that we were proud to have done all we could to make their future secure.
Doing nothing is not an option.
Laura Sacks
Castlegar, B.C.