Don’t micro manage carbon reduction

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Dear councillors: I know that many of you now understand that global warming is a real threat to our society and I urge you to act to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on the Cowichan Valley.

One strategy would be to set overall goals for carbon reduction, then let the private sector figure out how to achieve those goals. For example, all new developments could be carbon neutral.

Developers have achieved this goal in other places. Why not here?

However, if you micro-manage carbon reduction strategies by debating every possible new by-law, I fear that you may get bogged down in a cascading series of meetings with the inevitable special interests groups lined up to oppose you.

The Cowichan Carbon Busters have over 80 people who have signed up to install solar thermal heating systems in their homes in the Cowichan Valley. This action will both create green jobs in our community and will reduce our carbon emissions. This is our act of leadership.

And yes, your leadership on this historic issue will certainly attract vigorous opposition from the uninformed, the unwilling and the unready.

But you could view opposition to climate change strategies as a test of your leadership.

After all, you have a moral obligation as elected officials to act on the overwhelming evidence from science.

Think of political heat as a positive result of meaningful action. So enjoy it, use it to warm your minds and hearts. You would be doing the right thing and future generations will thank you.

And hey, that political heat would at least be an alternative to burning fossil fuels.

History teaches us that many great politicians overcame formidable opposition for a great cause – that is why we now call them “leaders.”