Environmentalists are constantly accused of being “against everything.” Some are, but it’s easy to discredit what you don’t want to hear, and actually few Greenies oppose resource extraction, what they don’t like is the extracting processes.
Given the wonders of today’s technology, industries should be able to find ways to dig up, cut down and drill for stuff without causing significant environmental or social damage.
They don’t do it because they don’t have to. Instead of setting high standards and enforcing them, governments generally aid and abet the destruction. No one is really looking at the big picture, no one is adding up all the parts. It’s like the world is a big apple, everyone is taking bites with no concern for the end results.
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Two events in Prince George this month focussed on B.C.’s northern resources, forestry, mining (coal, metals and minerals), oil and gas, and the proposed Site C dam.
The first event, hosted by UNBC with funding from BC’s Oil and Gas Commission, dealt with the cumulative effects of resource development. The point was to show that unless planned for, or mitigated in some way, the effects and impacts of resource developments (bites) can cause irreversible changes to the land and all that live on it.
The solution is to have governments and the different industries working together with researchers and communities to take a holistic approach to minimize unanticipated outcomes and learn from past mistakes.
Tomorrow the provincial government is hosting a Natural Resources forum with Premier Clark as the main attraction.
I believe Mayor Cook is attending. This event promotes the development of resource industries. MLA Mike Morris is quoted as saying resource sectors can no longer work in silos by themselves, they need to collaborate and work together, looking at jobs and trades, and the skills that are needed. And perhaps take a peek at cumulative impacts?
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.
