The climate election in BC
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- Published on Thursday, 01 October 2020 07:32
- Written by editor
We did it nationally. Can we do it in the province?
It’s no secret that the BC NDP called a snap election because they’ve been doing well in the polls.
But this has me worried, because it means they want this election to be about maintaining the status quo.
Let me be straight with you: The status quo won't protect our old growth forests from another four years of logging. Our climate can’t bear another term of rising emissions – mostly from LNG and fracked gas projects, financed by your tax dollars. We cannot support another four years of business as usual.
This is what party leaders need to hear from voters like you as they continue on the campaign trail. Yet with election day inching closer, we’re running out of time to make our message heard.
SEND A MESSAGEWhile the parties have been scrambling to select their candidates, party leaders are already hot on the campaign trail. But so far, I’m not hearing much about the environmental issues I know this community cares about. In the survey we sent out last week, 92% of people said the last government did either bad (over 51% of you), or only OK (41%), at protecting the environment.
This assessment lines up pretty well with the facts. Under the BC NDP, taxpayer funded handouts to the fossil fuel industry rose to unprecedented levels, while budgets for the Ministry of Environment and BC Parks went into decline. The vast majority of the most at-risk old growth forests remain unprotected and open to logging – despite the government’s own panel report recommending urgent action. And in blatant contradiction to its supposed commitment to climate action, the government continued to bankroll LNG and fracking: two of the biggest threats to our climate.
Anything could happen on October 24th. The BC NDP may be polling well, but they’re also facing a lot of pushback from people who are rightly furious about a snap election being called in the midst of a pandemic. They only scraped by in the last election by signing an agreement with the Green Party. Getting every major party to commit to taking decisive climate action – with better policies than we’ve ever seen before – is going to be critical over the next five weeks.
Let’s be real, a global pandemic is a very stressful moment to be having a provincial election. At the same time, we can’t miss this opportunity to push for stronger climate action from our next government. Once again, we’re going up against the interests of powerful corporations and aggressive fossil fuel lobbyists – but this doesn’t concern me. Because with an online community of over 40,000 people in BC (a number that’s growing by the day!) – I know we can make an impact.
Already, nearly 1,000 people have signed up to play a role in this election campaign – doing everything from signing petitions to meeting with their local candidates, keeping the pressure on politicians through social media, sending text messages to get out the climate vote, and organizing in their communities.
Together, I know we can elect a government that is truly committed to putting people over polluters, stepping it up on climate, and protecting our ancient forests.
So let’s get to work.
With gratitude,
Solaye Snider
Canadian Digital Campaigner
Stand.earth
Stand.earth challenges corporations, industries, and governments to prioritize the well-being of people, our environment, and our climate by creating long-term, effective solutions. None of this work is possible without your support. DONATE $5 San Francisco office: 650 California Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco CA 94108 On traditional Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone Lands
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