Halifax, NS – Members of Stop Energy East Halifax are meeting with Megan Leslie to deliver a strong message from her constituents: You can’t be a leader on climate change and support the Energy East Pipeline. The action is in light of three recent events: the release of the final report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), TransCanada filing for approval of the pipeline with the National Energy Board, and NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair’s recently voiced support for TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline.
The IPCC report has provided the most clear and dire warnings about climate change to date. “The scientific case for prioritizing action on climate change is clearer than ever. We have little time before the window of opportunity to stay within 2ºC of warming closes,” said R. K. Pachauri, Chair of the IPCC. “To keep a good chance of staying below 2ºC, and at manageable costs, our emissions should drop by 40 to 70 percent globally between 2010 and 2050, falling to zero or below by 2100. We have that opportunity, and the choice is in our hands.”
“The NDP’s Climate Change Accountability Act is good but not enough. Confronting climate change means getting off fossil fuels and not building infrastructure that facilitates expansion of the tar sands.” said Evelien VanderKloet, a member of Stop Energy East Halifax. “Projects like the Energy East pipeline are fundamentally incompatible with climate protection. If we’re serious about tackling climate change, we need to be doing all it takes to keep fossil fuels in the ground.”
TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline would increase national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 32 million tonnes: equivalent to the GHG emissions of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador combined, or putting 7 million extra cars on Canadian roads every year. If built, the pipeline would facilitate a 40% expansion of the tar sands, Canada’s largest and fastest growing source of GHGs.
“We call on the NDP to require that the NEB conduct a climate change review on Energy East and all fossil fuel project proposals." said VanderKloet. "That assessment must consider the cumulative impact of each project, in conjunction with all fossil fuel projects and Canada’s ability to rapidly reduce emissions and do its part to avoid catastrophic climate change.”
The group is delivering several hundred postcards, originally sent out to advertise the NDP’s Climate Change Accountability Act. The postcards have been signed by community members who oppose the proposed pipeline and they all carry the same message: “You can’t be a leader on climate and support Energy East.”
Stop Energy East Halifax is a grassroots organization created by citizens concerned about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the proposed Energy East pipeline. You can reach them at stopenergyeasthalifax@gmail.com.
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