Editor:
In degrading democracy, each of us plays a crucial role in demoting the environment we all depend on for our human health.
Distorting, denying, or deceiving ourselves hurts ourselves and others.
Decreasing awareness of the responsibilities each human being has for the welfare and happiness of all, in a well functioning democratic society can grow. This is reality.
In a democracy, we are all responsible for ourselves and for each other.
We carry a responsibility to ensure the proposed shipping of all the decommissioned extremely toxic railroad ties in Western Canada to Williams Lake and burning them here is safe for our environment and for our human health.
We will burn 10 to 13 million toxic railroad ties shipped here from all over Western Canada to where we live so Atlantic Power can be profitable. Is this good for all of us?
In 2010, burning railroad ties in Kamloops was rejected. One-hundred doctors in Kamloops said that was a health and environmental hazard. The city councilors agreed.
Prince George rejected burning railroad ties. Williams Lake stopped burning railroad ties in 2010.
Will burning millions of toxic railroad ties in Williams Lake be a story with or without a happy ending for all?
Distorting, denying, or deceiving ourselves about climate change will also hurt ourselves and others. The 2015 Paris Climate Conference in December is likely our last chance globally to stay below 2C.
Releasing toxic wastes into Hazeltine Creek, Quesnel Lake, and Quesnel River from Mount Polley is another example.
Evidence is that our democracy is being undermined.
Mel Hurtig’s book The Arrogant Autocrat says next year, 2016, the one per cent will own more global wealth than 99 per cent worldwide (Oxfam cited). Unequal power rules unequally. Distortion, denial, or deception?
Can Atlantic Power sue for unmade profits if burning railroad ties in Williams Lake is rejected?
Herb Nakada
Williams Lake