Our MP's have worked hard over the last few months to hammer out a new piece of legislation in the fight against climate change. The Clean Air Act contains tough new provisions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from industry and vehicles. Unfortunately, unless the Conservative government brings the bill back before the House for a vote, it will die on the order paper 
VTACC developed a do-it-yourself Valentines Campaign kit in which we subtly modified classic Valentines to send a call for action on climate change. Each kit contained cards addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Environment Minister John Baird, and Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and, of course, a card that could be addressed to any MP, to ensure that everyone on Parliament Hill was included!
This was VTACC's inaugural event, which we planned because of frustration over lack of government action on climate change. The BC government's decision to build two new coal fired power generating plants was the last straw, and provided the catalyst for us to form VTACC: Voters Taking Action Against Climate Change.Higher! Faster! Stronger! Politics and Parades.
June 17, 2009It's time once again for the Point Grey Fiesta Days Parade, Saturday June 20th. Our theme this year: Way to go with the Carbon Tax, BC, but what about off-shore oil exploration, a pipeline from Alberta, and oil tankers on our coast? How does that fit in? It's street theatre with a serious message, and you are welcome to join us, the Carnival Band and stilt walkers from The Public Dreams Society as we show that you can have fun while expressing your concerns. Contact us (above right) for details.
Politics in the age of Global Warming: How do we move forward?
May 7, 2009A full house was on hand last night for our environmental leaders election discussion at SFU downtown. Attendees heard Barry Penner, Shane Simpson and Damian Kettlewell discuss how their parties would address climate change and what principles should be used to guide climate policy development. We also heard their views on how best to develop and implement climate policy in our adversarial political system. You can view the highlights here:
Carbon Taxes:
Transportation:
Cap and Trade:
The event was sponsored by VTACC, UBC's Faculty of Arts, SFU's Graduate Program in Public Policy, and The Tyee.
We Need a New Approach to Climate Policy!
March 23, 2009Almost every day we hear new reports that climate change is occurring faster than expected and that the impacts are coming on earlier than projected. Scientists are frustrated over delays in reducing in emissions, the public has accepted that the debate is over and is ready for strong action, but still governments dither, or, even worse, pursue policies that further increase emissions.
We think consensus is emerging around some key principles which should be used to guide our way forward in the fight against global warming:
- We must cut emissions immediately -- in our homes and from our lifestyles, businesses, and industry.
- Climate change is not a partisan issue. Governments must strive to make climate policy development and implementation as inclusive and collaborative as possible.
- All solutions will involve costs, and we must ensure that those costs are spread out fairly, and that we minimize impacts on those least able to afford them.
We need to take effective and fair steps to reduce emissions as quickly as possible. We'll be working with other groups to highlight these principles during the coming BC election. Global warming is more important than politics!
We Need a New Way of Electing Governments!
February 15, 2009Our winner take all electoral system gives political parties an incentive to avoid tough solutions to long term problems. Why would any government try to convince voters to accept short term pain for long term gain, when the other parties will always be tempted to offer easy answers in exchange for a chance at power? Solving complex problems like global warming -- which will require long term commitment, discipline and some fundamental lifestyle changes, long before the worst impacts are visible -- will be near impossible under our current system. Voters who want to support strong action are often disappointed on election day, because their votes are wasted and their voices aren't heard.
Fortunately, on May 12th 2009 British Columbians have an opportunity to make fundamental changes to how we elect governments. When we fill out our ballots in the general provincial election this May we will also be voting in a referendum on electoral reform. The referendum will ask you to choose between our existing first past the post system, and an alternative recommended by the BC Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
This assembly of 160 BC citizens examined electoral systems around the world and recommended that our province adopt a new voting system, the single transferable vote (STV). The assembly concluded that STV is our best option for electing governments that truly reflect the preferences of the voting public. We agree, and we think that if BC STV is approved, it will help ensure that in future we elect governments that represent a diversity of views and are willing to take strong action to fight climate change. We urge you to vote yes on STV on May 12th!
For more information on the referendum, how the single transferable voting system works, and how you can help make it happen, visit STV.CA
We Need a Green Revolution!
January 29, 2009The global economic crisis demands action by governments. We need to ensure that our government's response to this crisis is proactive. Unfortunately, the recent federal budget is disappointing. Instead of directing billions of dollars towards road and bridge projects and providing tax breaks to Canadians who do things like re-sod their lawns, our government should be jump-starting our transition to a green, low carbon economy. We need significant investment in wind and solar power as well as public transit. We need an end to federal subsidies for motor vehicle infrastructure and the oil industry. We need to shift taxes away from income and payroll expenses and towards the pollution which causes climate change.
It is quite likely government will have to continue to intervene in our economy as the downtown deepens and widens. Please let our Prime Minister and his key cabinet ministers know that you expect a Green Revolution, not band-aid measures in support of the status quo. Send them a quick message today!
Prime Minister Stephen Harper: HarpeS@parl.gc.ca
Environment Minister Jim Prentice: PrentJ@parl.gc.ca
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty: FlaheJ@parl.gc.ca
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt: Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca
