We don’t want a consortium of car manufacturers writing laws on vehicle safety or a coalition of pharmaceutical companies deciding the health benefits of drugs. So why leave the future of climate change in the hands of an association of oil and gas companies whose products are the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters?
Climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and the fossil fuel industry is Canada’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. One-third of Korea’s total greenhouse gas emissions. But in Canada, the oil industry is the biggest obstacle to climate change action. greenhouse gas emissionsNot only that, but by pushing a dangerous agenda. weak climate policy.
The industry operates through a wide range of social networks, including law firms, lobbyists, PR firms, advertising agencies, academia, and other institutions, to sway public opinion and increase the political power of fossil fuels. Industry efforts to halt or halt climate action are in the news almost daily. Alberta Minister of Environment outrage over the bill This will require oil companies to substantiate their environmental claims, forcing them to request large-scale CCS projects. Avoid impact assessmentsConservative leader Pierre Poilièvre Campaign Oppose a carbon tax while using shillings for methane (LNG) expansion.
Industry opposition to federal emissions limits is another recent example. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), an industry lobbying group, published a report About the costs of mandating emissions limits. To make it look as painful as possible, CAPP modeled the cost of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 if only the proposed federal cap were in place. Actual emissions must be reduced by 20-23%.. It also assumes that companies will not maximize methane reduction, which is the fastest and cheapest way to achieve their goals, and will ignore the jobs and environmental benefits of investing in alternative oil and gas.
The industry wants to make it look like this cap is a burden on taxpayers. But oil and gas companies are the real burden. These companies are avoiding responsibility for the chaos they have created and continue to create, raking in record profits while forcing taxpayers to foot the bill or face increasing wildfires and extreme weather events. Their climate impact is creating a mess that is becoming increasingly difficult to sort out with every diluted policy and delayed action.
Globally, climate change is already costing us more than that. 16 million USD one hour. you average reader, which means that in the time it takes to read this article, climate change will cost us US$1.2 million. Here in Canada, climate change is already impacting Canadians. billions of dollars. Just the insurance premium soar Climate change is causing extreme weather events in many places. And it’s not just about money. It’s also causing incalculable social, emotional, life and livelihood costs, ecosystems being lost and communities being devastated. And once we pass a major climate threshold, we can’t turn back the world’s clock. cascade effect.
The path forward is clear. The industry itself is not decarbonizing, and climate action is cost-prohibitive. It is therefore important to decarbonize the sector quickly and fairly to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Limiting emissions is one tool that can help mitigate the worst climate impacts. It’s like wearing a seatbelt. It can help slow climate change and reduce some of the risks. It’s not enough, and it can’t be everything we do to protect ourselves and the planet, but it’s a necessary step.
