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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- February 21, 2006
To The Editor;
Last week I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. David Suzuki speak about environmental education. Dr. Suzuki told the audience that it is estimated that life has existed on Earth for around 3.8 billion years. It is also estimated that about 200,000 years ago, homo sapiens emerged from the Rift Valley in Africa.
At that time it would have been nearly impossible to look at one young upright ape species and predict that it would evolve into the most dominant and numerous mammalian species on the planet. In comparison with many other species, we weren't especially large, fast, or strong, or gifted with sensory acuity.
It turns out that our immense and complex brains endowed us with tremendous intelligence, a vast capacity for memory, an insatiable curiosity and astonishing creativity. Our abilities catapulted us into a position of dominance on the planet. But there was something else. Foresight. The ability to comprehend the concept of the future. Early humans recognized patterns in nature that are predictable the diurnal cycle, the lunar cycle, the tides, the seasons, animal migration and plant succession.
Making decisions based on future implications was fundamental to our success. Dr. Suzuki emphasized the central role that foresight has always played in our survival.
A couple of days later I had the pleasure of reading Mr.Willis' letter regarding a coal-based industry for our area. In his letter, Mr.Willis wrote, "I believe it is the responsibility of each of us to get accurate information and make our decisions on the basis of that information, not on outdated technology." I couldn't agree more. However, to rely solely on a smoke-and-mirrors presentation by the potential developer of the proposed 49 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant, Compliance Energy, would be a big mistake.
Compliance Energy is a publicly traded corporation that is primarily concerned with quarterly profits. For better or for worse, it is the way it works. It is the responsibility of our elected officials at the municipal, provincial, and federal level to protect the public from negative environmental, social, and economic consequences of decisions, such as power generation.
When evaluating the risk based on accurate information, it becomes clear that this project is simply unacceptable. For example, one of many concerns regarding coal-fired power generation is mercury. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, particularly damaging to the development of the fetus, infant, and young child.
Coal-burning power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions related to human activity in the U.S. Releases of mercury have contaminated fresh and saltwater fisheries to such an extent that forty-five states and one US territory have issued advisory warnings of the dangers of eating fish with elevated concentrations of mercury. In Ontario, 98% of all fish consumption restrictions for inland lakes are due to mercury contamination.
Perhaps most alarming, researchers at John Hopkins University in Maryland have found that even low levels of mercury regarded as safe can impair brain function and memory in adults. There may be no safe level of mercury. In spite of this, Compliance Energy has yet to disclose solid figures of potential mercury emissions.
By putting our quality of life at risk we also put existing jobs at risk. Tourism is one of many sectors of our local economy which would no doubt experience the negative effects of mercury emissions from a 49-MW coal-fired power plant. Accepting coal-fired power generation in our backyard would have serious long-term consequences for the Similkameen Valley. That's why it is absolutely necessary for this project to be reviewed by an environmental assessment, and eventually stopped.
Now, more than ever, decisions at all levels of government need to be based on the same fundamental trait that guaranteed our survival as a species. Foresight. We need to make long-term decisions based on future implications. In Mr. Willis' own words, we need to get accurate information and make our decisions on the basis of that information. When evaluating the information it becomes crystal clear that the short term economic benefits of a coal-based industry do not outweigh the long-term, adverse economic, social, and environmental consequences.
Sincerely,
Mike McLean , 2005 Green Party of BC Candidate for Yale-Lillooet
Dear Editor,
In the past year, Susan and I have utilized the services of several local trades people.
Twice we hired Doug Grigg and his helper Dave Fiddler of Princeton Plumbing and Gas, once in the coldest days of January to install a new furnace, and again in May to install a central air conditioning system.
Then, in the fall, we used the services of two companies. In a coordinated effort, we wanted to have a toilet removed, a section of linoleum installed, and a low flow toilet installed. To do these jobs we used the services of George Laska and his son John of Laska Floor Service, and Dave Mack and Kane Lang of CJM Plumbing.
In all instances, with all three companies, telephone calls were returned promptly, appointments and time commitments met without delay, estimates were detailed and accurate, and quality products were provided.
Susan and I were pleased with the professional service we received from these trades people. We are fortunate to have these resources in our community.
Yours truly,
Susan Hamilton and Ken Carlson
