Letters: Climate needs to be addressed, regardless of carbon pricing

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Columnists and readers continually express concerns regarding climate change and criticisms of the carbon tax. The science is clear and the evidence is irrefutable. If left unchecked, the effects of climate change are seriously altering the environment and damaging our ecosystems, which may soon be irreversible.

It is costing our provincial government hundreds of millions of dollars to rescue farmers and ranchers and fight forest fires with billions yet to be spent for a questionable irrigation project driven by ongoing drought.

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Instituting change is difficult and changing behaviour even more so. Doing the right thing for the right reasons does not usually motivate most industries nor the average citizen to alter behaviour. Whether the carbon tax and rebate system is the best motivator for carbon reduction is debatable.

However, money talks and the best motivator for change always comes down to money through either penalties or incentives.

Our household strives to maintain a low carbon footprint. We drive our primary fuel-efficient vehicle for shopping and commuting. We use active transportation as much as possible for smaller errands throughout the year.

We conserve water usage and have upgraded furnace, water heater, light and plumbing fixtures, home insulation and maintain the temperature at 20C to 21C in the winter and 23C to 24C in the summer.

Consequently, we benefit financially from the carbon tax and rebates, but also believe there may be other solutions and incentives to motivate people to reduce carbon footprints. If the world does not change and adapt soon, our children, grandchildren and future generations will inherit a terribly painful legacy.

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Terry Neefs, Saskatoon

Winnipeg aims to solve downtown issues

I am writing regarding another option for our downtown based on what appears to be happening in Winnipeg.

Manitoba’s premier, Winnipeg’s mayor, the Southern Chiefs Organization and True North Real Estate Development, the arm of a larger development company, have come together to unveil a proposal to replace Portage Place mall with a 15-storey health-care service tower, a 16-storey residential building (with up to 225 multi-family and affordable units), a main floor grocery store, community centres, office space for social agencies and other services.

The Atrium at Edmonton Street would be replaced with a new outdoor pedestrian greenway connected to Central Park. This news release was introduced to the public by a co-president of the Winnipeg Jets NHL team. To me, this appears to be their answer to the question: how do we best renew our city core?

Our answer to that question was an entrepreneur/business response in an attempt, it appears, to stabilize certain downtown businesses. In Winnipeg, the response is an attempt to meet pressing social and housing needs.

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I applaud Winnipeg’s response, because it addresses issues which will also stabilize many of the downtown businesses. In biblical terms, Winnipeg leaders are living out our call to be good shepherds. Here, we find ourselves among the goats.

Don Barss, Saskatoon

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