LITTLE GUY IS PUNISHED

The world is warming rapidly, climate change seems unstoppable. These are the dire warnings we hear every day. We must all do our part to slow down this potential disaster. The “little” people, like you and I, have subsequently invested in solar panel installation and extensively, in heat-pumps, to reduce our use of fossil fuels for the cleaner energy generated by electricity, and what has happened? The electric companies have seen a potential cash cow for huge profits, and so they raise their prices for this clean energy at the expense of the poor citizens, striving to do their bit to save their environment!

It is not the “little people” like you and I who by living our ordinary, everyday lives are the prime instigators of climate change and global warming. Does anyone believe that commercial airplanes, huge military planes and drones, dropping their death-dealing bombs and destruction, fly on fresh air? Is it possible that great lumbering tanks and other munitions ordnance travel on man-power alone? Hardly! The firearm and ammunition industry is big business, making huge profits and employing many, many people — over 170,000 in America alone not to mention the over 220,000 people employed in supplies and ancillary industries. Wars probably contribute more to climate change and global warming than any other human activity, yet it has reached almost epidemic proportions.

And what of these huge mega conferences (e.g. COP), concerts and sporting events attracting thousands (over 80,000 attended the recent Super Bowl football game)? People do not get to these events on “shanks pony” — no, they go in planes, buses and gas-guzzling SUVS, all polluting the atmosphere and exacerbating the speed of climate change and global warming.

It is true, we “ordinary people” must do our part with our heat pumps, solar panels wind investments and EVS, but must all the “ordinary” people be punished for their efforts by power companies increasing their profits?

On the other hand, if individuals don't want to pay the increases, the big companies and corporations will simply apply to the government for “subsidies,” and where does the government get its money? The taxpayer — i.e. you and me! This we can count on, and the companies and corporations bank on. There is no known cure or antidote for either greed or power-lust.

J. C. Gomersall,

Stratford, P.E.I.