We are addicted to destructive growth

Re: “Good health requires different economics,” May 27.

Congratulations to columnist Trevor Hancock on his brilliant diagnosis and to the Times Colonist for publishing it.

None of our political parties, including the Green party, shows serious signs of trying to convince us to kick our addiction to destructive growth. Just as drug addicts might hope to survive the worst of their addictions, we (and our politicians) seem to trust that technology will provide some magical cure for the direst consequences of destructive growth.

More cynical politicians take steps to suppress the bad news (cutting funds for the census and for scientific research, jigging terms of reference for environmental reviews to exclude the most important adverse impacts while giving credence to overinflated benefits, or even removing major projects such as Site C from review by the utilities commission). Others suggest minor improvements, such as suggesting that making Kitimat the northern gateway for refined products rather than the export of dilbit should suffice.

Let’s hope the next generation will have a better grasp of what is at stake — and insist on effective action. Thanks to the University of Victoria for harbouring professors such as Hancock to help inform and inspire that generation. Frank Mitchell Metchosin