I am responding to Neil Godbout's editorial May 1 wherein he describes the opposition to Enbridge Northern Gateway and other destructive resource projects as NIMBYs and states that if not here, then these resource projects will take place in third world countries instead where there are less environmental standards.
First I would like to point out, many of our supposed environmental protections have been dismantled in large part to the Harper government's pro-big oil polices which have seen the gutting of fisheries legislation and personnel and other losses of environmental protections coming out of his omnibus budget bills passed without Parliamentary debate so I am not sure how self-righteous we are entitled to be anymore about environmental protection at the government level.
Godbout suggests we who stand opposed to these projects are living in blissful ignorance. What he fails to acknowledge is that opposition to this destructive trajectory for our collective future includes an emerging Earth Revolution and return to the commons. I see it in the people who are downsizing their stuff and starting to view their position in Canada as more than "consumers." I see it in the growing farmers' market downtown Prince George which is a beautiful, community gathering place to be on Saturdays supporting local farmers. I see it in the 200 people who recently showed up on their bikes to demand a safe bike route into their neighbourhood. I see it in the many people taking shovels to dirt in their backyards and community gardens, growing their own food and understanding that spraying pesticides and others poisons will not only jeopardize their health but also kill the beneficial creatures who help their gardens grow. I see it in the many people who are taking ownership over their health and turning to healthy diets, exercise, traditional forest and herbal medicines and claiming self-replenishing spiritual practices for themselves. I see it in the people heading out to the wilderness to recreate and connect with nature. It is happening.
The Earth Revolution is here and only gaining momentum. Destructive projects like massive carbon-emitting/ bulldozing boreal forest tar sands, dangerous oil pipelines and unaccountable corporate control of our lives with offers of short term jobs at the most don't have a place in this new world. We don't need to accept the destructive status quo which positions us as no more than desperate consumers. Power to the people.
Mary MacDonald
Prince George
