Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Today our team had the pleasure of meeting with two of our esteemed subject matter experts (SME), Russ Johnston and Adam Bailey, for an amazing, thought-provoking conversation!
Throughout this Community of Practice (CoP) journey, and especially during yesterday's life-impacting conversation, I have often asked myself "Am I pro or against the Trans Mountain Pipeline?"
My initial gut reaction says "I am totally against the pipelines! Why are we spending billions of dollars on "dirty" energy, when we could be spending that money ensuring that all Canadians have access to clean drinking water? Instead of inspiring other countries to invest in clean energy, why are we propagating the advancement of dirty energy consumption by selling bitumen that needs to traverse the oceans in huge tanker ships across the ocean? How can the Liberal government say they are focused on the environment, while sailing full steam ahead (yes, pun intended) on the pipeline project without doing their due diligence in the face of impending pipeline leaks? Imagine the devastation these pipelines will have on habitats, ocean life and communities - and that's without a pipeline leak! Now imagine the pipelines leaking on land or in the ocean and the mass devastation that will follow suit - on a local, national and international level!"
But then I think, "Am I being a naive hypocrite as I use energy to type this blog on my computer, drive to the cottage, heat my home during a frigid winter, use my oven to cook non-local food, and enjoy the luxuries of my middle-class existence that has been padded thanks to the GDP contribution that this "dirty" energy brings in for the entire Canadian nation? Why not leverage our abundant Canadian resources to re-invest profits into clean energy and the environment? What if having ownership in the pipelines will allow some Indigenous bands to finally access basic standards of Canadian living - such as clean drinking water?"
All this to say, I am still torn between the two sides. Here are some questions to ponder if you are more decisive than I am:
If you are pro-pipeline, would you be OK with the pipelines traversing your province, city, neighborhood, street? If not, why not?
If you are against pipelines, would you be OK giving up all aspects of your life that have touch points with the energy resources that have been and will continue to flow through these pipelines and traverse the ocean? If not, why not?
Is there a middle ground that supports the planet, its wildlife and its citizens? And if so, what does that look like?
These are tough questions, with no easy answers, but the conversations need to continue and all voices - not just the few that are represented in mainstream journalism - need to be heard. Join us at our February 23, 2021 CoP plenary session as we do some soul-searching and conversing - it will be life changing!
- Rebecca Tapiero