A year ago, during the provincial election campaigning, Premier Christy Clark excitedly informed the people of B.C. that we could become rich, rich, rich by exporting liquified natural gas (LNG) to the world. Never mind that there is already an abundance of LNG on the world market, a crucial question that seemed to be overlooked in all that fanfare was: where is all that LNG going to come from? The answer? Fracking. And, you might ask, what’s fracking?
On Wednesday, April 9, Awareness Film Night and the Sierra Club of B.C. will screen three short films on fracking, followed by a talk on how exactly LNG extraction affects us, the land and our supply of water. After the fracking discussion, the District of Sooke will present their draft Community Energy Emissions Plan (CEEP) to moviegoers.
The three films will include an update on fracking by Josh Fox, director of Gasland, a short film detailing fracking concerns in the U.K. and a talk by Jessica Ernst on the consequences of fracking here in Canada. Some of the topics covered are: what exactly is fracking and how do fracking wells work? What are the rules and regulations around drilling these wells in the countryside? Is LNG really a “clean energy”? What are the dangers inherent in the fracking process?
After the films, Caitlin Vernon of the Sierra Club will discuss the issues around LNG and other extractive fuels that are being encountered in B.C. Caitlin has a BSc. in Biology and a Masters in Environmental Studies. Since 2007 she has been working to save the Great Bear Rainforest, support community-based First Nations’ monitoring initiatives and keep the B.C. coast free of tar sands pipelines and tankers. Prior to joining the Sierra Club she coordinated projects and did fieldwork in Mexico, New Brunswick and northern B.C.
Terry Dance-Bennick will give a brief explanation of the Healing Walk she is coordinating to coincide with the annual Healing Walk done in Alberta.
Dale Littlejohn, executive director for the Community Energy Association (CEA) will present the District of Sooke’s draft CEEP to save energy and cut emissions in their operations and in the community.
The evening will conclude with a question and answer period where moviegoers will have an opportunity to provide feedback and get more information on both fracking and the CEEP.
The event will be held in the Edward Milne Community School theatre, 6218 Sooke Road, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.