Re: “Turn off the gas pumps and see what happens,” comment, Dec. 15.
Let me see if I understand correctly the obtuse and threatening op-ed from Bill Whitelaw of JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group. He appears to assail Canadian climate-change activists who are calling for a swift transition away from a carbon-based energy system.
For their sins, Whitelaw wants to shut down Canada’s energy supply on “rotating days.” No lights for you!
It’s true that Canada’s economy is addicted to resource extraction. But it’s also true that the vast majority of the world’s scientists now tell us we only have 12 years to dramatically alter our energy policy or hundreds of millions of people will face the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty.
Canada and other nations of the world must convert from a carbon-based economy to a green-based and sustainable energy future. Millions of new jobs would be created in the process (albeit different ones).
Instead of threatening Canadians with dark days, Whitelaw and others dependent on burning carbon for a living should do what they can to be part of the solution.
As Whitelaw notes: “Serious times call for serious measures.”
Ira Shorr
Victoria
