To the Editor,
The big smoke we have been experiencing is certainly one of the many “faces” of climate change that people around the world have been experiencing. It is depressing, foreboding and just downright miserable.
With all the warnings of a serious health risk, I was faced with a decision of whether to do my regular commute by bike or take the car. I chose to ride my bike.
Partly because I didn’t think that riding one or two days in the heavy smoke would do me in. But as I thought more about it, I realized that it seemed ridiculous to add more carbon to an environment which is already under so much stress if I had a choice in the matter.
On further reflection I realized I was making a choice to face the consequences of climate change, unlike the people who have to work outside and the millions of other people who have no choice—the victims of floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes and other climate disasters. The majority of these people have very small carbon footprints and have had nothing to do with creating the problem. Their suffering is said to be a result of “climate injustice”.
Some of our leaders are outright climate deniers. Others take their marching orders from wealthy elites who have a huge interest in the carbon industry. Others might like to take action, but they feel it would be political suicide to do so. But in the end, they all think that the voters don’t care enough to make them take action. So it’s up to us. Until we, the voters, care enough to insist that our leaders take action, we will experience even darker days ahead.
John Mayba,
Port Alberni