Last evening I attended the Kinder Morgan presentation in the Sooke District council chambers. In an effort to appease those that are concerned with the increased marine traffic proposed, there was an at length talk with and overhead projection of enhanced safety and cleanup plans on hand.
Brushed over lightly was that there is a great deal of money involved, hundreds of millions, perhaps thousands of millions of dollars, so much so that both the federal and provincial governments departments of environments are willing to approve this venture for a minuscule percentage of the pie. The proposal would move oil and gas from Alberta out into the Pacific Rim market. (please get out of the way). Personally, I believe this would not be in the best interest of most, certainly not that of our children and theirs.
The global oil industry is developing production capacity that will each 110.6 million barrels per day by 2020. (Harvard analysis). Unless we start using less, our demand will reach 94.6 million barrels per day at the same date. This is in line with a 6 degree Celsius average raise in global temperature. Massive Climate Change and irreparable damage to the planet (International Energy Agency).
In the news, on the TV, about us in our everyday life it has become impossible to be unaware of atmospheric and physical changes taking place about us. We are witness to the consequences from the current rise of less than one degree. I do not see recognition of these facts in the Kinder Morgan proposal, I see them as a deliberate part of the growing problem rather than that of a solution.
Barry Whiting