Time to aggressively tackle climate change

To the editor:

Carbon pricing is hard on the head, Jim Vibert, Nov 22/18.

Thank you for a fine job synthesizing two complex issues, climate change and carbon pricing, all within the Canadian context.

Abacus has been at it again. On Nov. 4, their poll confirms that Andrew Sheer said, if elected, his first priority would be to cancel the federal carbon tax, signaling his intention to make this a central campaign issue. That does not reflect the fact that only seven per cent of Canadians say carbon pricing will be the most important issue for them and one-third say this policy will play a small role in their voting choice. Add to that, up to 50 per cent of Conservatives are open to the idea of carbon pricing. Seems like a nonissue to me.

The elections are a lifetime away. Meanwhile the UN panel on climate change and, last week, the World Meteorological Organization, are warning us things are getting worse. We only have eight years left to be effective in reducing emissions. Plus, one after another, climate models repeatedly confirm that a price on carbon is a necessary tool in a well-designed plan. Returning the money collected takes the ouch out of the fee on pollution. Opportunistic politicians who seek to gain by dividing Canadians over a proven climate policy have no place in this scenario.

It’s time for politicians to stand together, to aggressively tackle climate change. Get creative; differentiate yourselves on other issues.

Carole Lavallée,

Chelmsford, Ont.