CONTRIBUTED TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL

These Letters to the Editor were published in the Globe & Mail on May 3, 2023.

Fuel for debate

Re “The uncomfortable truth about Canada’s climate commitments: they won’t be met” (April 26): Canada can do a lot to help the world. If only it could export more natural gas and oil.

Canada has done the utmost to block the export of fossil fuels. Meanwhile, China and India have increased coal use because of the global lack of natural gas and oil.

Australia maximizes its export of fossil fuels to China and Japan. Japan calls Canada an energy hog and a hoarder – this is the way many in the world view this country.

People seem to think Canada can save the world by not exporting energy. It is unfortunate that this country plays such a small role in the global energy trade. If some people get their way, it will be even smaller.

Meanwhile, global greenhouse-gas emissions will continue to rise exponentially, despite closing Canadian fossil-fuel businesses to global export. So myopic.

Bryce Code Calgary

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I don’t give in to the perspective that we’re not going to make it. I am a Canadian and I’m not depressed; I’m driven to take action.

I lobby our elected representatives. I work to better inform and motivate the public about our climate crisis.

I advocate for immediate action to stop burning fossil fuels, subsidizing the industry, leniently enforcing regulations, exploring new developments such as Bay du Nord and building infrastructure such as the Trans Mountain pipeline. I promote initiatives such as electrifying “everything, everywhere, all at once,” to quote United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Let’s do everything we can to persuade our governments and communities to undertake urgent action. We only have these next few years to get Canada on track to meet its targets.

We should do this before it’s too late.

Ray Nakano Toronto