Here are the four advance questions sent to our local candidates by our Environment and Climate Change All Candidates Forum committee. Each candidate will have some time at the beginning of the forum to expand on their response.
The written responses submitted by candidates will be posted under each question by October 4, 2019.
In this Section
QUESTION 1:
Scientists believe we have 10 to 12 years to make drastic changes to cut emissions, or face unstoppable climate change. Do you and does your party accept the reality and urgency of this statement and what will your party do immediately (and differently from other parties) to address climate change?
CANDIDATES RESPONSES TO QUESTION 1
QUESTION 2:
The climate crisis will disproportionately affect the most challenged/vulnerable in our population (those living in poverty, in the North, the old, the sick, the young). How will your party work to protect those populations?
CANDIDATES RESPONSES TO QUESTION 2
QUESTION 3:
Fisheries and the age of climate change. There is a survey on the SCCA's website of salmon returns in the 12 largest salmon bearing watersheds of the greater Sunshine Coast region over a 50-year period. This data shows that the decline of the fisheries began in the late 50s and continues to this day. Salmon populations in these watersheds declined by at least 90% during this period. As well, many formerly significant runs disappeared entirely. This has a great deal to do with logging practices. More recently, rising water temperatures and ocean acidification levels have been cited as factors in increasing mortality among migrating salmon as well as negative impacts on other fin and shell fish industries.
Are you aware that the complete disappearance of salmon from Canada’s west coast is increasingly probable? Please describe your approach to restoring our salmon populations.
CANDIDATES RESPONSES TO QUESTION 3
QUESTION 4:
Forests in the age of climate change. Over the last 20 years, carbon emissions from logging practices, forest fires and insect infestations have risen dramatically. We understand that annual carbon emissions from our forests are larger than those generated by vehicles. While forestry is a significant problem in BC at this point, it is also the area offering the most potential for climate resolutions. Forests create carbon sinks and are the only proven and practical way to remove large volumes of carbon from the atmosphere.
What do you see as the most effective forestry policies to radically reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change impacts?
CANDIDATES RESPONSES TO QUESTION 4
Visit our Fisheries Sensitive Watersheds page here for more information.