Our MP's have worked hard over the last few months to hammer out a new piece of legislation in the fight against climate change. The Clean Air Act contains tough new provisions for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from industry and vehicles. Unfortunately, unless the Conservative government brings the bill back before the House for a vote, it will die on the order paper 
VTACC developed a do-it-yourself Valentines Campaign kit in which we subtly modified classic Valentines to send a call for action on climate change. Each kit contained cards addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Environment Minister John Baird, and Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and, of course, a card that could be addressed to any MP, to ensure that everyone on Parliament Hill was included!
This was VTACC's inaugural event, which we planned because of frustration over lack of government action on climate change. The BC government's decision to build two new coal fired power generating plants was the last straw, and provided the catalyst for us to form VTACC: Voters Taking Action Against Climate Change.Coal Billboard Campaign: we're up!
November 14, 2011Thanks to your donations, we've rented a billboard near Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to challenge the BC government's status as a leader on climate action:
It's never been more important to challenge Premier Clark's plan for an economic boom driven on an expansion of fossil fuel exports.
Just last week the International Energy Agency - a legitimate, mainstream organization - announce that we have just 5 years to radically reduce fossil fuel use in energy and industry if we wish to avoid runaway and potentially catastrophic global warming.
Given this urgent need for action, Premier Clark's drive to expand the export of polluting fossil fuels can only be described as reckless. Her plans put our children's futures at risk.
Please take a moment to tell the BC government what you think about coal exports:
Premier Clarkpremier@gov.bc.ca
Minister of Energy and Mines Rich ColemanEMH.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Minister of Environment Terry LakeENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Learn more about BC's coal exports, and the coal billboard that the Jim Pattison Group doesn't want you to see, here.
Metro Vancouver Transportation Funding:
Show your support for action!
August 2, 2011We have a key opportunity to help ensure a healthy, sustainable future for our region. Unprecedented collaboration between the province and Metro Vancouver's mayors has led to agreement on new, long term funding for our region's transportation system.
Your show of support now can help ensure that our political leaders continue to make the right investments in a sustainable transportation system.
Translink, Metro Vancouver's transportation authority, has been inadequately funded since it's inception. As a result, the region has been unable to afford needed investments in rapid transit routes, new buses, bike lanes and other sustainable infrastructure.
It's crucial we solve this problem now: transportation accounts for 40 percent of our region's GHG emissions, and, with a million more people expected to live here by 2050, we simply can't continue to rely on cars and freeways to get around.
The province and mayors agreement on a 2 cent per litre regional gas tax isn't a complete solution to our transportation funding shortfall, but it represents a bold move in our current political climate.
We encourage you to express your support to the Premier and the Mayor's Council, and to urge them to commit to further long term funding for our transit system. You can see our letter to the Premier below.
Here is their contact information:
The Honourable Christy Clark Premier of British Columbia premier@gov.bc.ca
Mayors’ Council Corporate Secretariat Shirley Shankar shirley.shankar@translink.ca
VTACC is part of the Sustainable Transportation Coalition (STC), which aims to secure long term funding for Metro Vancouver's transportation system. The STC recently convened a meeting of social, environmental and business interests to discuss options for regional transportation funding, and were encouraged to see strong support for three key funding sources: a dedicated share of future regional carbon tax revenue, a graduated, annual vehicle registration fee, and smart road pricing. Together, these three funding sources could meet our region's transportation needs. It's up to us to encourage our political leaders to make this happen. Read more about the region's transportation funding situation and the STC here.
Sustainable Transportation Coalition letter to the Premier:
July 26, 2011
The Honourable Christy Clark Premier of British Columbia Box 9041 Station PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
RE: Support of Increased Gas Tax and Other Funding Measures for TransLink
Dear Premier Clark:
We are very pleased that the Province of British Columbia is considering a gas tax increase of 2 cents and other measures such as a vehicle registration fee and road and bridge pricing to help fund the construction of the Evergreen Line and badly needed transit and cycling improvements throughout the region.
The Sustainable Transportation Coalition is a non-partisan organization that brings together key constituents who support a range of funding sources to allow TransLink to complete the 2040 plan and create a truly sustainable transportation system for our region. We are working to create a positive vision for our region’s transportation future and to build public and political support for the bold transportation policies and secure transportation funding needed to achieve that vision.
Families across the region need affordable transportation choices. We envision an integrated network of mobility options that simultaneously supports responsible, personal transportation needs for all, urban livability and land-use densification, and economic growth. This network will help to mitigate high gas prices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve public health.
On May 18th we held an interactive transit funding workshop with over 50 key participants from transportation-related business and community organizations across the region, to envision potential funding sources for the 2040 plan. The consensus of the group was that decisive action by the province was necessary to move forward. The top three choices for funding options were: 1) Post-2012 Carbon Tax revenue, 2) A vehicle registration fee, and 3) Road and bridge pricing. Overwhelmingly, participants felt that using existing carbon tax revenue was “saleable” in the region, followed by strong support for a vehicle registration fee and for smart road and bridge pricing.
We thank you for taking the lead on this issue. We pledge to help mobilize public opinion in support of a diverse range of options for long-term, sustainable funding transit in the region.
Sincerely,
Sustainable Transportation Coalition
Peter Ladner Fellow, Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University; Former board member, TransLink Gordon Price Director, City Program, Simon Fraser University Kevin Washbrook Director, Voters Taking Action on Climate Change Tanya Paz Business Development Director, Modo The Car Co-op Jack Becker President, Third Wave Cycling Group Margaret Mahan Executive Director, BEST Better Environmentally Sound Transportation Wayne De Angelis Regional Director, BC & the Yukon, Architecture Canada Brent Elliott Chair, South Coast Chapter, Planning Institute of BC John Calimente Transportation Planner; Columnist for Spacing Vancouver Magazine Matt Horne Director, B.C. Energy Solutions, Pembina Institute Richard Campbell Vice President, VeloWorks Cycling Society Nathan Pachal Director, South Fraser OnTrax Transportation Advocacy Society
Student and Youth Groups call for Action from BC Government
Students and youth are doing their part to fight climate change, call on Premier to do the same.
May 10, 2011Dear Premier Clark,
In a country that is failing to show leadership on climate change, B.C. stands out as a jurisdiction that is taking action to reduce carbon emissions and to build a low carbon economy. Students and young people of B.C. support this action and want our province to continue to take the next steps on climate action.
You ran on a platform of change; action on climate change, however, must remain front and centre on your government’s agenda. As our new Premier you have the opportunity, and responsibility, to build on the important climate change policies the province has already implemented. Doing so will allow us to work together with our partners like California and encourage other jurisdictions to do the same.
We know that the window of opportunity to prevent dangerous climate change is closing, and closing quickly; and as young people we are well aware of the impact that your decisions will have on our prospects for a livable future. Many of us have recently reached voting age, or soon will be. You can be confident that we will continue to speak out strongly about issues that affect our future, and we will hold leaders accountable for their actions.
BC Climate Policy: A Race to the Top?
Call on the Liberals & NDP to make strong commitments in the Vancouver-Point Grey by-election
May 06, 2011Are we poised for a race to the top when it comes to climate policy in BC? Both the Liberals and the NDP have recently taken on new leaders, leading us to wonder how quickly they are prepared to move on the most urgent issue of our time. The current by-election in Vancouver- Point Grey gives us a great opportunity to check under the hood and kick the tires on both party's plans for climate action.
We've had a chance to meet with both the Liberal (Premier Christy Clark) and NDP (David Eby) candidates for Vancouver-Point Grey this week. We had good discussions with each about their party's climate policies.
Today both candidates provided us with written statements which summarize their positions on these issues. You can read them in full here:
The short summary: both the Liberals and the NDP indicate that they support already scheduled increases in the carbon tax. Both parties indicate that they are open to the possibility of using revenue from future increases in the carbon tax to fund green initiatives like public transit. Both parties indicate that they want BC to participate in the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) and work with California and other jurisdictions to implement effective climate policy the regional level.
We are reassured by these statements, because they show that both parties are committed to continuing BC's leadership role on climate action. BC's carbon tax can be a powerful tool for fighting climate change, if it is kept in place and if it continues to increase on an annual basis. Also, in the absence of strong federal action, regional initiatives like WCI are our best bet for working cooperatively to reduce emissions.
It's a promising start to that race to the top, and between today and the by-election next Wednesday, it's up to us to urge both parties to make the strongest commitments possible. You can help make that happen by getting in touch with the candidates, asking questions and demanding commitments.
Here are some key points to raise:
- Indicate if you support continued, regular increases of the carbon tax after 2012, the extension of the carbon tax to cover emitters that are currently exempt, and the use of carbon tax revenue for public transit, energy efficiency and other emission reduction initiatives. Call on both parties to make a solid commitment to the same.
- Indicate if you support a ban on oil tankers on BC's north coast, and if you are opposed to Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
- Indicate if you support ending all subsidies to BC's oil and gas sector.
Contact information: David Eby Christy Clark
Political parties are never more interested in hearing what you have to say then they are at election time. Tell them what you think! Please contact both candidates today and call on their parties to make strong binding commitments to climate action.
Vancouver Peoples' Summit, June 20 2010
Take your place at the Table!
May 12, 2010Join us on June 20th 2010 at Vancouver's contribution to At The Table, the international campaign to ensure issues that matter are on the table at the G8/G20 Talks in Toronto.
The Vancouver Peoples' Summit will bring together activists and advocates to celebrate our common cause and send a message to leaders: we want bold action to end poverty, stop climate change, and make sure the global economy works for everyone.
We're partnering up with Main Street Car Free Day Festival to make this happen, and we're going to fill Main Street between 29th and 33rd Ave with music, children's performance, street theater, dialogue, debate and more. It's a party with a purpose, and we want you to be part of it!
Find out more here: Vancouver Peoples' Summit web site.
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on twitter: @VanPeopleSummit
Internationl Day of Action with Bridge to a Cool Planet
October 14, 2009Coming up soon on Saturday October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action. The event in Vancouver is being organized by Bridge to a Cool Planet.
http://www.BridgeCoolPlanet.ca
twitter: @b2cp Find us on
Facebook
Cambie Bridge, Vancouver, October 24th. Bridge opens at 11, Banner
Drop at Noon, Parade at 12:30 GetInvolved@bridgecoolplanet.ca
Higher! Faster! Stronger! Politics and Parades.
June 17, 2009It's time once again for the Point Grey Fiesta Days Parade, Saturday June 20th. Our theme this year: Way to go with the Carbon Tax, BC, but what about off-shore oil exploration, a pipeline from Alberta, and oil tankers on our coast? How does that fit in? It's street theatre with a serious message, and you are welcome to join us, the Carnival Band and stilt walkers from The Public Dreams Society as we show that you can have fun while expressing your concerns. Contact us (above right) for details.
Politics in the age of Global Warming: How do we move forward?
May 7, 2009A full house was on hand last night for our environmental leaders election discussion at SFU downtown. Attendees heard Barry Penner, Shane Simpson and Damian Kettlewell discuss how their parties would address climate change and what principles should be used to guide climate policy development. We also heard their views on how best to develop and implement climate policy in our adversarial political system. You can view the highlights here:
Carbon Taxes:
Transportation:
Cap and Trade:
The event was sponsored by VTACC, UBC's Faculty of Arts, SFU's Graduate Program in Public Policy, and The Tyee.
We Need a New Approach to Climate Policy!
March 23, 2009Almost every day we hear new reports that climate change is occurring faster than expected and that the impacts are coming on earlier than projected. Scientists are frustrated over delays in reducing in emissions, the public has accepted that the debate is over and is ready for strong action, but still governments dither, or, even worse, pursue policies that further increase emissions.
We think consensus is emerging around some key principles which should be used to guide our way forward in the fight against global warming:
- We must cut emissions immediately -- in our homes and from our lifestyles, businesses, and industry.
- Climate change is not a partisan issue. Governments must strive to make climate policy development and implementation as inclusive and collaborative as possible.
- All solutions will involve costs, and we must ensure that those costs are spread out fairly, and that we minimize impacts on those least able to afford them.
We need to take effective and fair steps to reduce emissions as quickly as possible. We'll be working with other groups to highlight these principles during the coming BC election. Global warming is more important than politics!
We Need a New Way of Electing Governments!
February 15, 2009Our winner take all electoral system gives political parties an incentive to avoid tough solutions to long term problems. Why would any government try to convince voters to accept short term pain for long term gain, when the other parties will always be tempted to offer easy answers in exchange for a chance at power? Solving complex problems like global warming -- which will require long term commitment, discipline and some fundamental lifestyle changes, long before the worst impacts are visible -- will be near impossible under our current system. Voters who want to support strong action are often disappointed on election day, because their votes are wasted and their voices aren't heard.
Fortunately, on May 12th 2009 British Columbians have an opportunity to make fundamental changes to how we elect governments. When we fill out our ballots in the general provincial election this May we will also be voting in a referendum on electoral reform. The referendum will ask you to choose between our existing first past the post system, and an alternative recommended by the BC Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
This assembly of 160 BC citizens examined electoral systems around the world and recommended that our province adopt a new voting system, the single transferable vote (STV). The assembly concluded that STV is our best option for electing governments that truly reflect the preferences of the voting public. We agree, and we think that if BC STV is approved, it will help ensure that in future we elect governments that represent a diversity of views and are willing to take strong action to fight climate change. We urge you to vote yes on STV on May 12th!
For more information on the referendum, how the single transferable voting system works, and how you can help make it happen, visit STV.CA
We Need a Green Revolution!
January 29, 2009The global economic crisis demands action by governments. We need to ensure that our government's response to this crisis is proactive. Unfortunately, the recent federal budget is disappointing. Instead of directing billions of dollars towards road and bridge projects and providing tax breaks to Canadians who do things like re-sod their lawns, our government should be jump-starting our transition to a green, low carbon economy. We need significant investment in wind and solar power as well as public transit. We need an end to federal subsidies for motor vehicle infrastructure and the oil industry. We need to shift taxes away from income and payroll expenses and towards the pollution which causes climate change.
It is quite likely government will have to continue to intervene in our economy as the downtown deepens and widens. Please let our Prime Minister and his key cabinet ministers know that you expect a Green Revolution, not band-aid measures in support of the status quo. Send them a quick message today!
Prime Minister Stephen Harper: HarpeS@parl.gc.ca
Environment Minister Jim Prentice: PrentJ@parl.gc.ca
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty: FlaheJ@parl.gc.ca
Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt: Raitt.L@parl.gc.ca
