Climate issue and children
Re: Want to help save the planet? July 13
As a college- aged, single Canadian woman, I am part of the target audience UBC PhD student and study coauthor Seth Wynes hopes to convince.
I am extremely proud of the natural beauty of Canada, and all that Canadians do to steward it. Obviously we have much farther to go, and I commend Wynes and study co- author Prof. Kimberly Nicholas for trying to see a way forward.
But to insert in high school textbooks the idea that children are the biggest problem to the environment is where I take issue.
The article states that the research behind the estimated carbon footprint of a child per year is complicated. But even if it wasn’t, even if the numbers were crystal clear, we may not make climate change a case against human life.
There is such a thing as the sanctity of life. To judge the value of an unborn child alongside a cloth shopping bag is degrading and ultimately destructive to individuals and to our culture as a whole.
Studies have shown that women who have had abortions can act more violently toward subsequent children. The studies suggest a reason for this is unresolved grief. I’m sure they’re right.
How much more will the lives of children be cheapened in the eyes of society when teenagers grow up thinking that children are “x” times worse than owning a car? Have children now become the scourge of the planet?
I give Wynes and Nicholas my thanks for their challenge to do more for the environment. But I plead with them, and with all Canadians, to not make climate change the god on whose altar we kill our children. Let’s steward this good earth, not self-destruct. Maaike Vander-Meer, Whitby, Ont. Please let your readers contribute suggestions on how the world can be saved. How about: Disconnect the garage door opener — get your butt out of the car and open that door yourself. Program all new cars so they only run five days out of seven. ( Make the buyer pay more to know which days the car won’t run.) Turn off every other street lamp — enjoy a 50- per- cent reduction in power consumption. Cut out desserts. ( They take energy to make, and more energy to work off.) You don’t even need to offer a prize. Just have Gary Clements portray the “150 Best.” Frank de Walle, Lethbridge, Alta.