Regarding the statement of Mel Arnold, Conservative candidate, he is “not yet convinced,” that humans are the major cause of climate change, despite the 99 per cent consensus amongst climate scientists worldwide.
Mr. Arnold’s refusal to accept human-caused climate change as scientific fact is a threat to our economy and our security.
Economically, climate change is having serious impacts. Pine bark beetle outbreaks and fires are affecting our forestry, droughts and erratic weather events are affecting our agriculture, and reduced snowpack in the winter, heat waves and haze in the summer, and dwindling fish stocks and wildlife populations are affecting our tourism, including skiing, water sports, fishing and hunting.
On the security side, climate change is threatening far more Canadian lives and property than terrorism. Compare the impacts of the Maritime snowstorms, Ontario heat-waves, Alberta floods, and B.C. fires on lives and property to the effects of recent incidents of home-grown terrorism.
It is a shame that one of the most serious challenges facing Canadians of our generation is being positioned as a debate. Climate change is not a political issue, but it has become politicized.
Mary Stockdale and Jon Corbett
Vernon
