Dear Editor,<\/p>\n
In response to Thom Barker’s column in the Sept.12 edition of The Interior News ("A moment of righteous indignation"), I can’t help but take exception to quibbling over a $2 price tag on a reusable bag at the grocery store. Long overdue are policies aimed to reduce plastic in our environment.<\/p>\n
With this policy, we are being trained to bring our own shopping bags from home and I agree that many times, even with the best intentions, the bags are left behind. It is bothersome having to pay a fee for bags we already have but I think that is part of the training process. You forget — you pay a small price.<\/p>\n
On a bigger front, I am also disappointed that the BC NDP is considering scratching the carbon tax program should the federal government allow B.C. to opt out. I believe that any and all efforts by governments (who are notoriously slow to address climate change) should be welcomed. The NDP’s rationale in potentially pulling out is that the big polluters should pay, yet I have seen little evidence of this so far with fossil fuel subsidies continuing.<\/p>\n
It has been said that fixing the climate shouldn’t fall on the backs of individuals dealing with the high cost of housing and food.<\/p>\n
Global warming is a serious issue requiring everyone to play their part in reducing consumption if we are to have any hope of a brighter future for our grandchildren and planet Earth. Instead of eliminating a program that intends to reduce emissions to meet Canada’s targets, why not challenge fossil fuel companies who make record profits on the backs of working families? Why should climate initiatives be the scapegoats?<\/p>\n
I am frankly disappointed with the inaction of all the Canadian political parties on the file of climate change. The carbon tax may not be perfect but it is a proactive step with the right intention. How else is the climate crisis going to be addressed? The cost of doing nothing is already evidenced by the increased number of extreme weather events and disruption to communities.<\/p>\n
I would like to believe that the majority of people in Canada care about climate change and want more action and leadership, not less.<\/p>\n
Respectfully submitted,<\/p>\n
Janet Harris<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Letter writer takes exception to columnist’s quibble with mandated minimum price for reusable shopping bags<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":130,"featured_media":121885,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-121880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-letters","category-opinion"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n