Sask. is a laggard on climate change

After seeing the Saskatchewan government’s climate proposal, I am feeling reluctant to admit to having been born and raised in this province. At this moment, when Saskatchewan is the nation’s laggard on climate action, I no longer feel proud of my roots.

The dangers of rising greenhouse gas emissions are experienced with regularity as we watch news of disaster — droughts, fires, hurricanes.

Saskatchewan, which has the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, has fought carbon pricing, despite its proven effectiveness in reducing climate pollution. Instead the government has proposed a plan that relies on offsets, which are a smokescreen to avoid taking real action.

I suppose one could argue that Saskatchewan’s total contribution to climate change is small, so the province doesn’t need to bother. Maybe I’ll try that argument about my small amount of garbage next time I just dump it in someone else’s yard.

The most unfortunate part of the Saskatchewan government’s approach is the missed opportunity to help the province get ahead of the game in developing green jobs and getting the province off the oil and gas boom-bust cycle.

I have hope that the good people who live in my beautiful home province will demand better from their government. Judy O’Leary, Nelson, B.C.