Let’s work together to deal with the climate
Re: “Climate-change myths and utter hypocrisy,” column, Aug. 4.
If only the radicals on both sides of the climate change arguments would take the time to read, mark and inwardly digest the statistics in Gwyn Morgan’s column, perhaps we would be able to dispense with much of the emotion and study the facts.
That won’t happen, of course, because Morgan has been a “director of four global corporations,” so his credibility with one segment of the public is shot to pieces before a word of his column is read.
Morgan didn’t even mention the ever-spewing, CO2-producing volcanoes that do more damage to the environment in a decade than mankind has done in a thousand years.
Let’s try to reason together, and take a rifle shot approach rather than a shotgun that might hit the distant target but have little impact on it.
Collectively, trillions of dollars will be spent on doing nothing more effective than seducing the public to vote for the party that tells the best story, enabling them to gain power, but having little effect on improving our quality of life.
Jack Clover
Victoria
Two sides covered on climate change
Re: “Climate-change myths and utter hypocrisy,” and “Turn down the heat, or cook Earth,” columns, Aug. 4.
With climate change commentators David Suzuki and Gwyn Morgan, you could say that the Left and the Right have met on the pages of Sunday’s Times Colonist.
I could find little to disagree with in either article, though David Suzuki’s comment, “we’re missing the window to shift gradually to renewable energy” could have read, “we’ve missed.”
Perhaps we should turn to Gwyn Morgan — who notes that roughly 1,800 coal-fired power plants are being built in the world today — for a credible plan B.
Or better still, ask engineers and scientists, rather than climate activists, where we might find relief from the global heating juggernaut.
Peter Woodward
Victoria
Morgan’s viewpoint is not wanted
Re: “Climate-change myths and utter hypocrisy,” column, Aug. 4.
It is completely irresponsible for the Times Colonist to publish climate misinformation such as to be found in Gwyn Morgan’s latest column.
When all major science bodies and climate scientists warn the world that without drastic changes human civilization is heading for a catastrophe, this kind of misleading rhetoric hampers critical change.
Major media around the world have agreed to stop publishing this kind of misinformation and to start reporting on climate change as the imminent crisis it is, yet with columns like this the Times Colonist continues to falsely reassure that no change is required.
Nathaniel Poole
Brentwood Bay
Macdonald was here in the summer of 1886
In response to the letter from a professor emeritus of history at the University of Alberta, which stated that Sir John A. Macdonald “never even set foot in Victoria. He was a classic parachute candidate.”
Macdonald certainly did set foot in Victoria. On July 30, 1886, he was a guest of the City of Victoria, the reception being held in the Victoria Theatre.
The Daily Colonist covered the event and the article can be found in the 30 July 1886 paper, third page, under the heading “From Pit to Dome, the Citizens of Victoria Welcome Canada’s Greatest Statesman.”
On Aug. 13, Macdonald drove the last spike for the completion of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway, after which he and Mrs. Macdonald went to Nanaimo before continuing on to the mainland and home to Ottawa.
Sherri Robinson
Esquimalt
A spot for the statue next to the waterfront
There is a rock outcropping on Belleville Street at the entrance to Confederation Park that would place Canada’s first prime minister at a location that encompasses his controversial place in Canada’s colonial history.
His presence there looking toward the Canadian Pacific Steamship Terminal building would simultaneously recognize his role in the creation of this nation and the completion of the national railway that linked Victoria by steamship to the land terminal across the Salish Sea.
Confederation Park is on land that was once a Lekwungen Aboriginal village. Sir James Douglas moved the inhabitants across the harbour to Songhees and the first government buildings known as the “Bird Cages” were constructed nearby.
The location is public, historic, and simple signage would add context. Furthermore, he would be near Queen Victoria, the monarch that approved Confederation.
Gerald W. Pash
Victoria
Where is the logic in the lower-deck rule?
I was, thankfully, one of the last vehicles to make the 1 p.m. ferry the other day but, alas, I was directed to the lower deck.
I prefer to snooze during my frequent ferry crossings, but for reasons beyond my pay grade, it is deemed dangerous for a passenger to be on the lower deck “while the vessel is in transit.”
If remaining below during transit is so risky, why is the ferry allowed to leave the dock before the lower deck is ensured to be cleared of all passengers? Last Friday, the ferry was under way before I made my ascent from the deck of doom to the safety of the line-up for the cafeteria above.
Why would B.C. Ferries deliberately put their passengers at risk by moving them down into harms way “while the vessel is transiting?”
“Attention passengers, we are 15 minutes from arrival in Swartz Bay, please return to you vehicles.”
If they force the passengers to comply with the federal regulations then they should too, “no ferry will leave the dock before the lower deck is swept of all passengers, and no passenger will be allowed to return to his vehicle until the ferry is docked at its destination’.
It would only add 30 to 45 minutes to each crossing but they would actually be complying with the regulations they are using as an excuse to get people upstairs to the restaurants and gift shops.
Don Boult
Saanich
We can all help to keep bears alive
Again, an all-too-familiar story about black bears being destroyed by conservation officers due to habituation to humans.
Habituation most likely resulting from improper garbage storage, poor storage of livestock feed, poor animal husbandry and just plain old stupidity.
If the conservation service is penalizing B.C. residents for causing bear habituation, it is a well-kept secret. I have called conservation about improper garbage storage and garbage near strewn through the bush close by from previously visiting wildlife, and I have never been contacted by conservation about the results of their visit to this residence.
I live in a very rural area and have tried to educate neighbours about the issues they create by their lazy habit of putting garbage and compostables at curbside the day before pickup.
When will the carnage end? Let’s see some enforcement, if not by the conservation service, then maybe from a municipality.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
This land belongs to all creatures
I am heartbroken that a mother bear and her babies were shot and killed last week.
If the bears were people, the punishment would be life imprisonment without parole.
To the folks who tried to have their lives spared, I salute you. I would have done the same thing.
Many of us do not understand that this land we think is ours belongs to all living things, be it animals or plants.
The deer, the squirrels, the cougars, the bears and all the creatures of the universe deserve to exist.
The fact that we have expanded into their territory in so many ways makes it difficult for them to survive. The real enemies of the planet is man, take a look at the numbers of plants and animals that are disappearing at an astounding rate.
Penny Martineau
Victoria
If buyers are local, why worry about that tax?
Re: “Vast majority of Island home buyers are local,” Aug. 2.
The Victoria Real Estate Board opposes the vacancy and speculation taxes, because “most buyers are local.” This is nonsensical.
The speculation and vacancy taxes only apply to non-residents. If the buyers really are local, no one would have to pay the taxes, and the Victoria Real Estate Board shouldn’t care about it.
Or could it be that they suspect a portion of the $5 billion being laundered annually through B.C. real estate is finding its way to Victoria and surrounding regions?
Or could it be they know our precious housing is often purchased by investors and speculators, multiple home owners, or worse still: wealthy retirees from elsewhere who use homes a few weeks or months per year, pay no B.C. income taxes, and enjoy our vast public amenities for free?
Or could it be they recognize that, according to solid research from Simon Fraser University and the University of B.C., the number of foreign buyers drastically exceeds that estimated by various real estate boards?
The vacancy and speculation taxes are designed to ensure our housing is used by local people who want to live, work, pay income tax and contribute in our region.
If buyers are truly local, the real estate board has nothing to worry about.
Richard Brunt
Victoria
Try a bicycle, Steve, maybe you will like it
Re: “Readers weigh in on the ‘war on the car’,” column, August 2.
Amazing! Driving instructor Steve Wallace still doesn’t “get it.”
His reasons for why people like to be in their cars are ludicrous and ridiculous when compared to the contribution they make to our worsening environment.
Maybe Wallace could just try riding a bicycle and see how much fun it is. How good it feels to be burning fat as fuel instead of gas. And how good it is to save money.
Come on, give it a go!
Jim (James) Parker
James Bay
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