In my blogs is sometimes wonder (and am sometimes told) that I am too negative? Shouldn’t I only publish positive stories about innovative persons driving innovative projects. Environmentally, there are many good people doing great things right now — Initiatives around food security, green energy, forest management, land restoration. These endeavours are laudable and necessary. They alone however will not bring about a healthy planet. Here’s why.
Years ago I joined Matt Price, a well-known environmental expert and activist — Matt now writes for the National Observer – for a meeting with then BC Premier, Gordon Campell’s office. During the early days of the first Campbell government the BC Liberals wanted to assess the response of faith communities to their environmental agenda. Matt asked me to join him in a meeting with Campbell’s chief of staff. I asked Matt what he sought from the meeting. He replied that we needed to demonstrate our opposition to large scale carbon-heavy projects which at the stroke of a pen could obliterate all the good work being done by activists province-wide. I was curious to know what government wanted from the activist and faith communities. Matt wanted to assess how conversations with government could be respectful and productive.
This was my first lesson in political calculus. We could do all sorts of wonderful things ourselves as faith communities, but we faced a government and industry hell-bent on expansion and maximization of heavy industrial production and extraction regardless of environmental consequences. The best food security and public transit programs available could not mitigate these unsustainable projects. Even today, we can do so much good, only to find our efforts neutralized by profit-driven enterprise by a fossil fuel industry still active in denial-infested media and corporate obfuscation. Think Exon/Mobil, Shell Oil, Enron.
I think of these things as Kathie and I welcome our first grandchild into today’s world. Five days old! Looking forward, what will Jack experience through hopefully a long, satisfying, and beneficial life. You can appreciate my interest and gratitude for a group of seniors travelling across Canada to encourage our government to respond to the climate crisis in measurable and publicly accountable ways. The story of the Seniors Climate Caravan is below. Enjoy.
From Rogers TV Complete video here
Grandparents and seniors unite in demanding the Federal Government do more to ensure a stable climate for future generations
“And so we’re going to Ottawa to say to the government, pay attention. Your job is to protect us.”
The Seniors Climate Caravan’s electric fleet just stopped in Kamloops as part of its cross-country journey to Ottawa. The group is calling on the federal government to invest in clean energy and take stronger action on climate change.
“We’re not saying we get off oil immediately, but building a new pipeline would lengthen the dependence on fossil fuels for decades to come.”
The newly formed group held a kickoff event in Victoria 2 days ago, featuring David Suzuki as a guest. About seven cars will travel from both the west and east coast, converging in Ottawa on September 19th with the same goal to urge federal leaders to take stronger action on climate change.
“I know they’re focused on the economic crisis. They’re focused on Trump. They’re focused on keeping the country together. Those are important issues, but if we don’t protect the planet, it doesn’t really matter if we’re a unified country.”
During the stop, the group was welcomed by Kamloops Seniors for Climate Action, who share similar priorities and are concerned about the lack of progress in addressing the climate crisis.
“I think we feel as seniors, we’re reaching the end of our lives, and we’ve had many gifts in terms of our lives and we so much want our kids and grandkids to have that same opportunity. We’re all in this together. In my view, we have a responsibility to look after the future generations and make sure that there’s a livable world for them.”
Follow the progress of the Seniors’ Climate Witness caravan here.
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Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 
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