Protest increased greenhouse emissions
Re: “Johnson Street Bridge blocked in rally for climate-change action,” Dec. 4.
Well done, climate-change activists. You managed to close the Johnson Street Bridge for more than an hour (what happened to the symbolic 12-minute pledge?). Motorists were kept waiting, no doubt idling in the cold weather to keep warm or else taking a longer route.
One can only hope that the activists are now busy at their computers calculating the greenhouse-gas impact of all that idling. It just goes to show that indeed there is “no free lunch.”
Dale Leitch
Victoria
Find a better way to get message out
I am very much a supporter of the cause, but I am very against the method used for this protest.
I try to do my part. I derive much of my energy from solar panels and drive an electric car when I am not using human-powered transport. I write letters and actively participate in things that work toward halting our demands on the fossil-fuel industry.
I was planning to drive over the Johnson Street Bridge at 6:45 p.m. I had to divert to the Bay Street bridge, which was backed up to Government Street. Hundreds of cars driving an extra distance and idling while waiting to get to that bridge.
They created way more emissions than had they been able to cross. And I was late for my event, as I had not expected an extra half hour to get there.
Please, event organizers, come up with a better way to get your message out. Don’t take the bridge hostage.
Sherry Kirkvold
Victoria
Children go on strike for climate crisis
On Friday, Dec. 7, I’ll be on strike in front of the legislature instead of going to school. I am 12 years old.
I am not alone: Youth from across the country are going on a climate strike.
The climate strike was started by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg in Sweden, who has been striking every Friday. Sophia Mathur, an 11-year-old in Sudbury, Ont., watched a video about Greta, and became Canada’s first climate striker last month. She strikes once a month.
Greta says: “Some people say that we should be in school instead, but why should we be studying for a future that soon will be no more? And when no one is doing anything to save that future.”
I’m on climate strike because I want people to know that my generation cares about the climate crisis.
As children, we can’t vote or run for Parliament. We’re told to do our homework and go to school. What can we do to stop this crisis? Well, one of the things we can do is strike.
Youth, please join us at the legislature buildings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Bring signs and your amazing selves. Let’s right the wrongs that humans have done to our planet.
Rebecca Wolf Gage
Victoria
Give column space to a younger writer
Re: “Firms should be controlled in Canada,” column, Dec. 1.
I agree with Gwyn Morgan on this one, but in the end, his columns are, well … tiresome.
Please give this space to a younger writer interested in smart-energy systems, energy transition and our common but uncertain future.
Jacques Sirois
Victoria
