Kinder Morgan and Christy Clark

This art piece was created by Fahim Kabir, an elementary school student with an active interest in this topic. Thanks to Fahim for the drawing!

We can't trust Kinder Morgan.

Why is it that the BC government is supporting a company like Kinder Morgan? A company that is an enemy to the community and to local residents. Every time that Kinder Morgan has done work in a community, it has ended in disaster. For example, "San Diego is sueing Kinder Morgan for failing to clean up petroleum tanks that seeped into the soil groundwater" (National Observer, 2015). Now, if there was an oil spill in Burnaby, imagine how much the city or province would have to spend in sueing Kinder Morgan, which would further waste taxpayers money. But, it does not matter how much the money, the province, or the city gets back from the lawsuit because the damage will already be done to the environment. The cost of living in the environment that has an oil spill is way too high, and nothing can replace it!


http://www.nationalobserver.com/2015/05/28/news/san-diego-sue-kinder-morgan-246m-failed-oil-spill-clean

Pipelines and Economics

Pipelines are currently a major issue in the Lower Mainland right now. With the whole Kinder Morgan debate, there is several environmental, political, and societal issues that have come to the forefront. An article from the Huffington Post has now shown a potential economic issue as well. In their article, it states that the Kinder Morgan Pipeline project “would triple Kinder Morgan's capacity to carry oil between Alberta and Burnaby, B.C., [and] could come at a net cost to Canada of between $4.1 billion and $22.1 billion.”

That is a ridiculous amount of money that is coming out of taxpayers wallets, all over a pipeline that is not beneficial to them at all. Also “those costs are associated, not only with damage to the environment in the form of oil spills and greenhouse gas emissions, but also with building too much pipeline capacity”.

Now that the economics are out as well, us Canadians have to decide whether or not this pipeline is worth it, or if it is simply put, too expensive for the environment, as well as for our own personal wallets. I think I already know my answer. Have a good day everyone!

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/06/01/kinder-morgan-trans-mount_n_7488694.html

What are Green Bonds?

Sustainability is a subject that tends to come up in conversations not just among activists and green business leaders, but normal everyday citizens as well. You saw in a previous article where we gave you tips on how to be more sustainable, such as recycling, or buying from local markets. You also hear of people giving the thumbs up to solar, or wind. But the question remains, how does one become an even more active member of sustainability? Well a potential solution to this is through Green Bonds. What are they? Well Green Bonds, as stated by a report from TD are “a debt instrument issued to raise capital that is used exclusively to support projects with specific environmental benefits.” [1] Simply put, they are bonds that individuals can invest in that further help in sustainability projects. This is a great way to invest in the future, and to play an active part in sustainability. They are also tax-free bonds, which are an added bonus. They are still quite new to the market, and so there aren’t a whole lot out there, but as green bonds become more frequent, there will be many investors flooding the market. 

[1] http://www.td.com/document/PDF/economics/special/GreenBonds_Canada.pdf

Ten Easy Sustainable Practices To Put Into Your Life

With World Environment Day this Friday, Here are ten ways to make a positive difference in the environment without exuding too much effort in doing so.

1) Public Transportation or Carpooling
2) Have your own coffee mug or water bottle, instead of using plastic/paper cups at the store
3) Purchase foods in bulk. It uses less plastic for a higher quantity of food. Just make sure the expiry date isn’t too soon!
4) Bring your own plastic bags to the grocery market
5) Turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. Saves energy, and money off your electricity bill.
6) Get a water filter instead of turning the tap on and waiting for the water to cool. Even a small Britta filter that you put in the fridge can work well.
7) Instead of letting the tap run while washing dishes, get a bucket or tray, fill it with soap, and use that
8) Take plugs for electronic devices out once you are done charging.
9) Buy produce from local farmers and farmers markets.
10) Last but definitely not least, recycle!

Day of Action- Dogwood Initiative- May 30th, 2015

We recently checked out the Day of Action for the Beyond Coal campaign on May 30th, 2015. Here are two interviews we had at the Day of Action. Arie Ross is the provincial organizer for the Beyond Coal movement at Dogwood initiative. Laura Benson is the campaign director for the Beyond Coal movement at Dogwood initiative.

Arie Ross-

1) Can you tell us more about this day of action?
We are calling it Public Awareness Saturday. We are raising awareness and talking to folks about the impending threat involving the coal port at Fraser Surrey Docks. People are petitioning and asking citizens to join our cause or to sign our petition.

2) Why do you think its important to be aware of this issue?
Lack of decision making for the everyday person is a cause for concern. Us citizens are getting very minimal health assessments or environmental assessments on the impact of such things as the coal ports. We are trying to reclaim that decision making power for the people. Everyday citizens need to have a say in these types of things.

3) Can you give us a little more info about the impact of coal on such things as environment and health?- 

In terms of the impact of air quality and water quality, we have seen massive clouds of coal from coal ports in Delta. Coal dust can be carcinogenic, which can obviously cause a massive variety of issues. Asthma is very prevalent in children who study near these coal ports and rail lines. Environmental concerns include water quality, air quality, climate, and the depletion of the fish population along the Fraser river.


Laura Benson-

1) Can you tell us more about this day of action?
Earlier this month (May), Fraser Surrey Docks announced that they want to build coal ports along the Fraser to ship US thermal coal and send them off to Asian powerplants. Today, Dogwood came out to spread the word of the risks and hazards associated with that project, and to build grassroots power in order to stop it.

2) Why do you think its important to be aware of this issue?
It has all sorts of significant impacts in the future of this city and region, as well as the global climate. Sending more thermal coal to Asia to be burned increases greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In terms of the local threat, there are health risks associated with transporting coal, coal dust, noise etc. Also, the environmental impact is huge as well. BC has one of the worlds largest salmon rivers. We don't know how coal traffic can affect fish populations and water quality in the long term. Standing here in New Westminster, you can see how this city has invested in a new, sustainable community for itself. It is just the absolute opposite from the investment in 19th century carbon across the river. There is multiple impacts and people have a right in knowing what those are, and fighting for a better future for the community.

3) Well that answers our next question! And so we'll ask about the economic alternatives. Economically speaking, what could be the alternatives to such materials as coal?-
Certainly! First off, our water fronts are extremely busy. Vancouver is the biggest port in Canada. We ship all sorts of things, such as grain, lentils, soybeans, gravel, wood products, etc. There's any number of alternatives. We could also invest in greener alternatives. Right now, Fraser Surrey Docks exports steel for recycling, which is much more environmentally friendly than coal. Importing solar panels and wind turbines is an option as well. There is an endless amount of opportunity to invest in the future instead of the past.

Special thanks to Arie and Laura for taking part in these interviews! Check out a few pictures that we took of the Day of Action below. We wish Arie, Laura, Dogwood Initiative, and their partners the best in their Beyond Coal campaign!

Is the National Energy Board as corrupt as FIFA?

FIFA and the National Energy Board are both organizations that have the duty to look over their respective industries. Both have the power to review, research, study, and make decisions for their respected fields. But the problem is that both do not look out for there respected fields or for people who work in that field. The difference is that the corruption that FIFA does only harms players in the sporting world who make millions of dollars. However, the decisions by the National Energy Board not only affect the people, it also effects nature and communities for years. The poor decisions that the National Energy Board make can cost people jobs, oil spills, and also can cost millions of dollars for clean up. So, when a prominent economist resigns from the National Energy Board, she states that "the National Energy Board is not interested in a scope of issues that is broad enough to do an appropriate review of the environmental risk and economic impact of this project on Canada and particularly in British Columbia". It's a pretty scary thought that an organization whos role is being the referee between the oil and gas industry and the citizens of British Columbia is on the side of the oil and gas industry. BC residents and businesses need to be aware that the National Energy Board is not for BC residents but for Corporations.

Written by: Inderpal Brar