Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 22:22:31 -0700
From: Scott Frederick <scott451@gmx.net>
Subject: [KCUTS] NDP calls for special legislative committee on climate change
Hello Kootenaycuts,
<http://bcndpcaucus.ca> http://bcndpcaucus.ca
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 29, 2006
NDP calls for special legislative committee on climate change
VICTORIA-New Democrat Environment Critic Shane Simpson is calling for
the establishment of a special legislative committee to deal with the
problem of climate change.
British Columbia should be leading the fight against climate change,
said Simpson, the MLA for Vancouver - Hastings, and legislators have
an obligation to make that happen.
Instead, the B.C. Liberals have put forward an ineffective action plan
with no targets and are proposing coal fired power plants to meet our
energy needs. Climate change discussions are almost non-existent in
government service plans.
"The Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic is an example of what happens when
you don't take climate change seriously," Simpson said. "We need take
some positive steps to address the problem and minimize its potential
effects."
Climate change is a complex issue, Simpson said; it requires action on
fossil fuel reduction, support for community plans and an adaptation
strategy to deal with its impacts on our eco-system and communities.
"That's why we need to engage British Columbians in a frank discussion
and a legislative committee is the way to accomplish that," Simpson
said. "We have to develop a real plan to address climate change in
British Columbia and it needs to be a plan that communities and
citizens buy in to.
"The alternative to taking action is doing nothing, which is what the
B.C. Liberals seem content with. The devastation of the forests,
erosion of the fishery, threats to drinking water supplies, flood
concerns and food security issues are the consequence of doing
nothing."
Simpson said Liberal inaction has made the problem worse. Despite a
commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, British Columbia had
the second highest rate of greenhouse gas emission increases in 2004.
Simpson said part of the special committee's work should be examining
what the provincial ecosystem will look like in the next 50 years. It
should also examine the management of water in the province.
Simpson said climate change should be debated in a fall session of the
Legislature.
"The B.C. Liberals have abdicated their responsibility on climate
change," Simpson said. "We should be debating this in the House so
British Columbians can be confident that the problem will be dealt
with."
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Media contact: Tim Renneberg (250) 361-6314
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Only 959 organising days until the next BC provincial election.
Best regards,
Scott mailto:scott451@gmx.net
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