#Autosprawl is choking the economy - so let's tax it's biggest victims!

Vancouver committee debates paying for transit by taxing First Nations: "VANCOUVER - A Metro Vancouver regional district committee is floating the idea of imposing a levy on the area's aboriginals to add millions to its cash-strapped transit system, a suggestion immediately deemed "unacceptable'' by First Nations leaders."

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Gas and oil from shale is a bubble, a dangerous one

The Tyee : "Governments and financial analysts who think unconventional fossil fuels such as bitumen, shale gas and shale oil can usher in an era of prosperity and energy plenty are dangerously deluded, concludes a groundbreaking report by one of Canada's top energy analysts."'

Grassroots #publictransit on British Columbia island

Vehicles purchased for transit service project: "A grassroots committee on Gabriola Island have moved forward with a pilot transit service project they say will not only serve the transportation needs of islanders, but reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

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Most tourists really don't want to drive. #Carfree vacations are popular.

Vancouver: how to enjoy a world-class city without a world-class budget | Cheapflights.co.uk: "One of the great things about Vancouver is you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy its charms. In this article, we’ve chatted with our local guides to create a list of great things to do in and around Vancouver on the cheap, and all accessible by public transport."

British Columbia writer calls for free public transit

https://twitter.com/derrickokeefe

Earth Day should help to focus B.C. election debate on key climate issues | rabble.ca: "If we actually taxed the rich at higher levels, we could afford comprehensive, free public transit systems in all major urban centres. Redirecting the billions of direct and indirect subsidies to fossil fuel industries towards transit and green technologies would also help."

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Build roads to reduce congestion, hasn't worked, doesn't work, won't work.

The Sidewalk Ballet: "Second only to the Island Highway, Bowen Road is another destructive, dangerous, neighbourhood-killing arterial stroad. This latest project brings to something approaching $20 million spent or to be spent on Bowen Road to address "congestion" at two intersections. Nanaimo seems to think it can be the one city in the world that can road-build its way out the problems created by the car. You may not be surprised to learn that this approach has produced no evidence of its efficacy."

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Time for a bold green jobs plan for B.C.

Vancouver Sun: "The single-largest source of B.C. greenhouse gas emissions is the transportation sector, and they are still increasing. Traffic congestion costs Metro Vancouver between $400 million and $628 million a year in lost productivity, wasted fuel and increased GHG emissions, not to mention the negative health and quality-of-life impacts associated with traffic congestion and long commutes.

To reduce congestion and emissions, B.C. must expand and revitalize its public transit, highway bus and passenger rail systems. We need to create incentives and build infrastructure to move goods by rail and other efficient, low-carbon methods of transportation. Some of this infrastructure already exists, but much will have to be built, including from carbon tax dollars. Backed by our province’s clean hydroelectricity system, almost every mode of transportation will benefit from some form of electrification.

Economic modelling shows that transport has the second biggest jobs potential of all green-economy sectors. Investments in public transit and railways in North America create between nine and 22 jobs per $1 million invested. The economic benefits arising from reduced congestion, increased community development and urban density are harder to quantify, but are at least as valuable."

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/2035/Time+bold+green+jobs+plan/8197396/story.html#ixzz2PYRPhbQ0

One dollar spent operating a car imposes $2.55 on society

Manufacturing outrage over Vancouver's new bicycle pumps | Georgia Straight: "One VTPI study revealed that each dollar spent on a vehicle's operating expenses imposes $2.55 in costs on society."

Victoria Transport Policy Institute

In a hurry to show how safe oil tankers are, recovery vessel runs aground

Oil recovery vessel ran aground en route to federal tanker announcement - British Columbia - CBC News: "An oil spill recovery vessel ran aground en route to a federal announcement on oil tanker safety in Vancouver on Monday, officials have confirmed."

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New city plan aims to reduce how much we rely on use of our vehicles

New city plan aims to reduce how much we rely on use of our vehicles: "As it currently stands, 88 per cent of travel within the city is done by car. Walking makes up 8.3 per cent of travel and public transit and biking make up 2.5 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.
Anderson, who chairs the city's transportation advisory committee, said the plan needs to address those figures by making alternate forms of transport more available."

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Burrard Inlet First Nation calls for renewables

Burrard Inlet First Nation calls for renewables: "Faced with a six-fold increase in oil tanker traffic in their Burrard Inlet home if Kinder Morgan's pipeline expansion project goes ahead, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation says it's time for Metro Vancouver and British Columbia to get serious about alternative energy."

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Enbridge Northern Gateway a threat to First Nations food sources - Sarah Klain

CHANS Lab Views: Clam Gardens and Clean Energy, Sarah Klain Oral Statement to Enbridge Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel: "An oil spill would have disastrous consequences on the type of clams I studied and so many other food sources in this region. Although the chance of a catastrophic spill is disputed, I am certain that approving this pipeline will destroy or at least damage government-to-government relationships with Coastal First Nations. When I spent time in Bella Bella, the Heiltsuk’s vehement protest of the Enbridge pipeline and associated tanker traffic was highly prominent throughout their community. If this pipeline goes through, I fear violent protest is inevitable. This pipeline threatens to ruin decades of fraught negotiations and relationship building between First Nations and various levels of Canadian government."

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'Fractured Land' depicts First Nations' fight to save land from oil and gas industry | The Vancouver Observer

'Fractured Land' depicts First Nations' fight to save land from oil and gas industry | The Vancouver Observer: "On the outside, northern British Columbia is a beautiful place. Look closer, though, and a different world appears. A much darker world. One of drilling, mercury-infested water and cancer. A place where people and land suffer the same. A place that disintegrates with each fire explosion in the starless night sky. A place they call Fractured Land."

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Thousands jeer Northern Gateway hearings in Vancouver - British Columbia - CBC News

The closed hearings drew protesters by the thousands in Vancouver Monday. (CBC)

Thousands jeer Northern Gateway hearings in Vancouver - British Columbia - CBC News: "Thousands of people gathered during a rare Vancouver snowfall to mark the start of community hearings on the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

Opponents of the project were bolstered on Monday by the nationwide Idle No More campaign, which brought First Nations from as far as the Haisla Nation on the North Coast, near the would-be tanker port of Kitimat, B.C."

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Pipeline pain. Things that go away with #freetransit

New Oil Sands Pipeline Plan Would Dramatically Increase Carbon Emissions | The Energy Collective: "The annual flow of carbon through the proposed twinning project and the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway project (presuming full operation) would dwarf greenhouse gas emissions from British Columbia, an issue presented here in the past."

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Public transit fares are for rationing, not revenue

The Mainlander | Progressive alternatives to Translink’s fare hike: "Fare increases also deter ridership. BC Ferries’ recent fare hike caused a decline in ridership. When Translink first proposed the current fare increases, they anticipated a 2% decline in ridership because people would switch to cars. But as we seek to address climate change, we want more, not fewer, people to use public transit. Therefore, we should reduce fares to get people out of their cars and onto public transit."

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Pacific Trails Pipeline forbidden on tribal land

Occupy Wall Street | NYC Protest for World Revolution: "On November 20, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Toghestiy intercepted and issued an eagle feather to surveyors from the Can-Am Geomatics company, working for Apache’s proposed shale gas Pacific Trails Pipeline. In Wet’suwet’en law, an eagle feather is used as a first and only notice of trespass. The surveyors were ordered to leave the territory and the road entering into the territory has been closed to all industry activities until further notice.

Since July of 2010, the Wet’suwet’en have established a camp in the pathway of the Pacific Trails Pipeline. Likhts’amisyu hereditary chief Toghestiy states, “Unist’ot’en and Grassroots Wet’suwet’en have consistently stated that they will not allow such a pipeline to pass through their territory. The federal and provincial governments, as well as Indian Act tribal councils or bands, have no right or jurisdiction to approve development on Unist’ot’en lands. By consulting only with elected Indian Act tribal councils and bands, the Canadian government breaks its own laws as outlined in the 1997 Supreme Court of Canada Delgamuukw decision which recognizes Hereditary adjudication processes.”"

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Auto culture causing oil demand and pipeline pain

"Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee was one of the organizers of the recent Indigenous-led 3 day protest that occurred this past October throughout British Columbia, against the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain and the Trans Canada Keystone XL pipelines. "

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Science journalists ask Harper to stop muzzling research and free expression | The Vancouver Observer

Science journalists ask Harper to stop muzzling research and free expression | The Vancouver Observer: ""Over the past four years, journalists and scientists alike have exposed the disturbing practices of the Canadian government in denying journalists timely access to government scientists. Open letters to your government from concerned journalists have been followed by editorials and public lectures calling for improved access. Still, cases of government muzzling of publicly funded scientists continue," the letter reads."

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Yes, Virginia, Human Emissions Do Cause Climate Change [video] « Father Theo's Blog

Yes, Virginia, Human Emissions Do Cause Climate Change [video] « Father Theo's Blog: "Here’s why they call it anthropogenic climate change.  The clever folks over at the US National Academy of Sciences explain in chapter 4 how we know that climate change is human caused.
...
The blaming part?  Our children will do that, if we don’t do something quick about our bad habits."

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Is Earth Warming? [video] « Father Theo's Blog

Is Earth Warming? [video] « Father Theo's Blog: "I know Earth is warming.  You know Earth is warming.  It’s obvious that Earth is warming.
But if you need to watch a video that proves that Earth is warming, then Father Theo will present an authoritative video for you.  The US Academy of Sciences put it together.  "
http://fathertheo.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/is-earth-warming-video/

Masters Planning: Translink's 2013 Base Plan: A lesson in contrasts

Masters Planning: Translink's 2013 Base Plan: A lesson in contrasts: "What they've stated as 'financial challenge' should really be translated as 'political failure'. The fact that our Minister is posing with car, on the world's widest bridge (at 65m wide...last holder of that title was only 49m wide), at a highway expansion project well into the billions of dollars, and yet we can't find the money to provide equitable bus service for our region shows where this government's priorities are. This is unacceptable."

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Car sharing getting popular -- saves money!

Car2go, one of Vancouver's car share companies. Photo by w.d.worden in Your BC: The Tyee's Photo Pool.
Do Car Shares Reduce a City's Footprint? - TheTyee.ca - Mobile: "A year back, Alexis Hinde decided to try an experiment: she ditched her private vehicle and switched to a car sharing group. Since then, she said she's sharply cut back the time she drives."

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Eric Doherty: Shifting context puts billion-dollar Pattullo Bridge project on shaky footing | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com

Eric Doherty: Shifting context puts billion-dollar Pattullo Bridge project on shaky footing | Vancouver, Canada | Straight.com:
...
“Global warming and the end of cheap oil means we need to focus on improving transit instead of roadway expansion for cars and trucks” said Steve Burke, the spokesperson for the Surrey Citizens Transportation Initiative.

With the unprecedented heat wave, drought, and fires south of the border, the public is waking up to the reality of global warming as an immediate crisis and are looking for real action.
 ...
For its part, the Wilderness Committee has stepped up with one of the first solutions-oriented campaigns against tar-sands expansion. The Transit Not Tankers petition calls for a “shift from spending our money on new highways to investing it in public transit and passenger rail."

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Adding Juice to La Niña

Climate Change Makes Climate Systems More Extreme

The flow of surface waters in the South Pacific ocean has a profound effect on the world’s weather.  The system known as El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can both warm the planet with El Niño, or cool the planet with La Niña.  2011 was a double-La Niña year.

Of course, climate on a local scale is not necessarily in lock-step with everything happening everywhere on the planet.  While La Niña years are cooler on a global scale, they are also consistent with hotter, drier summers in the American southwest, for instance.  Of course, the heatwave that struck the USA last year led to the second-warmest summer for the country as a whole, and the hottest summers ever recorded in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana.

The La Niña system is consistent with heavy rainfall in places like Colombia.  But the rains in 2011 were catastrophically heavy, killing 425 across Colombia, causing billions of dollars in damages, with at least 3 million people affected by floods and mudslides.

La Niña also brought drought and famine to East Africa, adding to the affects of a long-term drying trend in the region.

In Zimbabwe, they experienced the heaviest January rainfall in three decades.  The second wettest summer in the Australian record brought record-breaking rain to New South Wales and Victoria and widespread flooding in Queensland.  The extent of the flooding in Queensland was almost the size of France and Germany combined.

What happened in 2011 was La Niña-plus.  Globally, it was the warmest La Niña-year on record.  Climate change has already raised the level of water vapour in the atmosphere by 4% which means that there is more rain to fall out of it when it does fall.  When La Niña drops rain on Colombia and Australia, it drops a lot of rain.  And, with the planet already warmed by climate change, with earlier springs and drier soils, that means when La Niña brings heat to Texas it is adding to what is already there.

The result is starvation in Africa, floods in Australia and Colombia, fires and agricultural failures in Texas.

Systems like El Niño or La Niña have always been around to influence the climate.  According to a recent study, however, La Niña-related heatwaves in Texas are now 20 times more likely to occur than 50 years ago.

La Niña doesn’t really mean quite what it used to mean and the difference is not in our favour.  Chaos seldom is.  Unfortunately, because of the ongoing influence of changes in atmospheric composition, the addition of carbon dioxide from deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, the chaos is likely to ramp up for the foreseeable future.

Climate change is already a fact of life.  That’s obvious.

It’s also obvious that we need to act before the chaos that climate change brings is beyond the capacity of our civilization to cope with.

Looking around, looking at merely the last three or four years, that critical point–beyond which effective action is impossible–doesn’t seem very far off.  Not far off at all. 

———-

See Global Warming Punched Up Some 2011 Weather Extremes

NOAA State of the Climate in 2011 – highlights

Heat Wave USA 2011

Reposted from Father Theo's Blog http://fathertheo.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/adding-juice-to-la-nina/

Free Riders and Wildfires

My local Skytrain station has been undergoing construction for some time now.  Last year they closed down one entrance for several months to rebuild the stairs.  This year they tore down the stairs to build a turnstile and accompanying bureaucratic paraphernalia – to fight against free riders.

It’s already been calculated that the money they save from stopping free riders will never recoup the cost of building the turnstiles.  So the government is spending our money in order to, um, lose money.

Free riders bother some people’s minds so much that spending useless money fighting it appears logical to them.

Honestly, it has never been the free riders on the buses that bother me; it’s the free riders in the cars.  We all pay taxes to build the roads, just like we all pay taxes to build the transit system.  But cars ride free while pedestrians have to pay.

The real free riders.

If we are going to have free riders, honestly, I’d rather it be pedestrians.  They are not sending 11 tons of pollution into the atmosphere every year like your average commuter car.

Which the owners also insist on dumping for free.

Why should I pay to pollute? the free riders ask.

Well, because there are real costs sending carbon dioxide into the biosphere, actually, that somebody eventually is going to have to pay.  And logically it should be those who incurred those costs.

What kinds of costs?  Well, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, not your usual bunch of eco-radicals, financed a study into the affects of climate change on wildfires in British Columbia.  The study found that over the next forty years, the number of wildfires may increase more than 50%. British Columbia is already suffering an increased burn because of earlier springs and hotter weather brought on by climate change, averaging 2000 fires a year from 2000 to 2010.

An extra 1000 fires a year in British Columbia on top of our already disastrous 2000 is an extra cost, a major one, but only one among many, that future generations will have to pay..

That’s why, as far as I’m concerned, pedestrians should ride free.  Pedestrians aren’t messing with my grandchildren’s (or children’s) future.

Cars are.

But I’m not saying put tolls on the streets.  Equality is fine for now.  I just say, if cars ride free, then pedestrians should too.

With free transit, people will get out of their cars anyway without anybody forcing or inconveniencing them.

We’ll all win from that.

And it will really put a dent in the free rider problem.  The free riders on the streets and highways, that is.

——–

See Climate change to bring more severe wildfires to BC – report: Vancouver Sun

Reposted from Father Theo’s Blog The Free Rider Problem

Because spills occur: No Enbridge

We don't want the Northern Gateway pipeline to pass through British Columbia because, frankly, it is not in our civilization's interest to take any of this oil out of the ground at all.  We already have too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and too much damage has already been done.  However, there are other reasons to oppose Enbridge and the Gateway project that even climate change deniers can understand.

When they build pipelines, they have spills.  Spills look like the picture on the right.  And most don't occur conveniently by a road so they are easy to deal with.

Some occur by rivers.  For instance, this one here near Red Deer, Alberta:   http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120608/bc_alberta_pipeline_spill_120608/20120608?hub=BritishColumbiaHome&utm_source=ctvbc.ca

They intend to build the Northern Gateway pipeline through some of the wildest, most remote--and pristine--wilderness on the planet.  Hazards include avalanches in the Rockies and the Coast Range, floods over literally hundreds of streams, wildfires, storms, and that's before we get to the coast and load it all up on gigantic tankers and send them through narrow channels out to Hecate Strait, one of the most treacherous bodies of water on the planet.

It's not a good idea.

The number of permanent jobs the pipeline will create in British Columbia is less than 60.  The number of streams that will be endangered by the pipeline is reportedly more than 200.  That's just bad math.