tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38055502024-02-19T01:42:02.596-08:00Rob's RamblingsRobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-47736139852123051852019-04-14T14:51:00.002-07:002019-04-14T14:54:52.056-07:00What are so many Canadians duped by this graphic?<ul class="_7791"><div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x"><img alt="No photo description available." aria-busy="true" class="spotlight" height="390" src="https://scontent.fyvr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/57253321_10156413342748207_991751177492234240_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent.fyvr1-1.fna&oh=43e4b29c876b08b6cd0d864b17896622&oe=5D3C62D9" width="400" /> </span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x">This
graphic gets several things wrong. First it assumes that Canadian
forests are a CO2 sink. But in fact they have been a CO2 source for
several years (in other words they are emitting more CO2 than they
absorb). The data to support this is publicly available:<br /><a data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcan.gc.ca%2Fforests%2Freport%2Fdisturbance%2F16552%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0P63J-IJSHYz-JuHFaXk1xJxg4hUgcwpUFf4__eVacUSkLxg_dHQ7cPnA&h=AT3e-VZgc-i8ObwtHrHvQM3E7ruW0z5jk-r6TkJHapLdBusDYzpg0wR10ZmgcQ2zKR3I_Xq-sEGiHkVvlVQr-h6iU5hHH3_VMDZ0UVnOQ_KxWMDJmWDcm5YFKCe_EVPenvqHImAmwA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/forests/report/disturbance/16552</a></span></span></div>
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<img alt="Indicator: Carbon emissions and removals | Natural Resources Canada" class="_ns- img" height="98" src="https://external.fyvr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBBPThTBet22Z_E&w=98&h=98&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrcan.gc.ca%2Fsites%2Fwww.nrcan.gc.ca%2Ffiles%2Fforest%2Fsof2017%2FManagedUnmanagedForests440px_e.jpg&cfs=1&_nc_hash=AQAqU50W8KMFQfe5" width="98" /></div>
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<br />
<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">More obvious is the fact the graphic also assumes a misunderstanding of how the carbon cycle and emission reporting works.<br /><br />The
graphic claims that Canada produces 559 Mt of CO2 (the actual number is
closer to 700) but the number reported for CO2 emissions is not the
total CO2 released in Canada. It is just the amount from post-industrial sources. <br /><br />Animals
(including humans) all release CO2 as part of natural processes. These
are not counted in the emissions reporting because they have no affect
on global warming.<br /><br />They have no affect because the
CO2 is absorbed by plants (including Canada's boreal forests). During
per-industrial times this cycle kept the atmospheric CO2 at levels which
kept global temperatures relatively stable compared to the
post-industrial period.<br /><br />So you have to be very
careful counting CO2 absorption from forests to offset post-industrial
emissions since it was part of the carbon cycle which kept atmospheric
levels of CO2 balanced during pre-industrial times.</span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">Perhaps it would be easier to understand this mathematically:</span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">If <br />A - B = X</span></span></div>
<div class="_72vr" style="text-align: center;">
<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">and <br />C - B = Y <br />And C > A then Y > X</span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">Where<br />A = pre industrial CO2 emissions</span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">B = forest CO2 absorption<br />and C = post industrial CO2 emissions</span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g"></span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g">Yet the graphic seems to coming to the conclusion that Y < X. Of course this is mathematically impossible.</span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-75279436613665887222018-04-23T12:01:00.002-07:002018-04-24T16:15:19.996-07:00Is BC Hydro about to Kill Solar Energy in BC?On April 20th BC Hydro announced changes to the net-metering program. The announcement was made late on a Friday afternoon, which is when one makes announcements that you hope the public and media will ignore.<br />
<br />
About 95% of the projects under net-metering are solar energy (photovoltaic) projects. The immediate change would limit the size of projects based on the utility customer's electrical consumption in the prior year. It would also end the payment for excess annual power. This change won't have a major affect on new participation since most projects would fall below this threshold.<br />
<br />
What is more worrisome is the contents of the submission to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) which will need to approve the change. In the submission it is clear that BC Hydro thinks that there is already too much enrolment in the net-metering program. And they state they will further review the program and make another submission to the BCUC before the end of the year. Reading between the lines it seems their next submission will restrict net-metering further or end the program. <br />
<br />
Given that imposing further restrictions on the program would be administratively difficult the most likely outcome would be an attempt to end the program.<br />
<br />
I believe this move is wrong for the following reasons:<br />
<br />
• The amount paid for annual excess net-metering is relatively modest at $0.099 / kWh. This is less than it would cost for many other forms of new generation (maybe even less than site C). <br />
<br />
If BC Hydro resells this to the net-metering customer’s neighbours at the second tier residential rate they have a profit margin of 40%. They would also make a profit selling this power to SGS Commercial customers.<br />
<br />
• Rather than reducing the amount of green energy on the grid BCHydro should be encouraging more. Excess storage capacity behind the dams means we could be exporting more to Alberta and the US (once we remove transmission constraints) and helping shut down dirty power plants.<br />
<br />
• Researchers with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions <a href="https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/2060project/">2060 Energy Future Pathways</a> team found that a photovoltaic (PV) penetration of 8.5% in BC would provide a good balance on the grid and not interfere with BC Hydro's minimum generation requirements. Currently penetration is less than 1% so there is plenty of room to grow without causing any technical problems for BC's grid.<br />
<br />
• As we electrify transportation and building heating to meet climate targets there will be need for new generation and solar PV is one of the cleanest sources.<br />
<br />
• Although BC's grid is relatively clean, data from NRCan shows that for every kWh of PV added it would reduced GHG emissions by 16 kg.<br />
<br />
• With more PV on the grid BC Hydro would also be able to sell more power to California as part of its renewable portfolio standard. Some of BC's hydro power does not qualify under this program.<br />
<br />
• In Zone 2 net-metering helps reduce the cost of the power that is subsidized by BC Hydro rate payers and significantly reduces GHG emissions from fossil fuel generators. Restricting or ending the program would remove this benefit for rate payers and prevent further reductions in GHG emissions.<br />
<br />
• Many of the net-metering systems currently being installed are on new construction. The proposal by BC Hydro offers no way to calculate the maximum size under this new restriction. It seems the proposal was not well thought out.<br />
<br />
• Ending the net-metering program would devastate the solar industry in BC. There would still be some off-grid work but the vast majority of the work currently being done is grid-tie. <br />
<br />
This would mean the loss of good-paying jobs that keep workers in local communities.<br />
<br />
• If the net-metering program is ended BC would become the only jurisdiction in Canada to not allow grid-connected solar power.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-66947733091493764122016-03-10T10:05:00.001-08:002016-03-10T10:05:14.004-08:00BC's climate consultation My thoughts on BC's Climate Consultation:<br />
<br />
It is not honest to say that BC is a world leader with our carbon tax when some jurisdictions have a tax that is 500% higher and have seen much greater reductions in GHG emissions. <br /><br />The evidence from full life cycle analysis of our governments approach to LNG indicates that it will create a disastrous increase in GHG emissions. <br /><br />The continued prioritizing of adding new road infrastructure instead of public transit is also have a significant negative affect on climate stabilization.<br />
<br />
You can comment here: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership/<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-45446245501779157692015-08-20T22:35:00.001-07:002015-08-21T09:44:48.493-07:00Renewable Energy Could Supply Most of BC's Energy Needs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/15653656961/in/dateposted-public/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMGP0334"><img alt="IMGP0334" height="133" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/15653656961_7b2844f302_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">23 kW solar array in Delta, BC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Blair King's recent blog post (August 17th Huffpost British Columbia) “Dispelling Some Myths About British Columbia's Energy Picture” attempted to create a more complete picture of BC's energy use. He makes an important point that we need to move beyond rhetoric about renewable energy and focus on practical solutions based on quantitative analysis. Unfortunately, King made some miscalculations and inaccurate statements in his piece.<br />
<br />
He is correct that electricity is only part of the picture when it comes to BC energy use. King points out that gas and diesel accounts for about 78,000 GWh of energy. But he then incorrectly assumes that if we converted all these vehicles to electric the consumption would be the same. Electric vehicles are about 80% efficient compared to 20% efficiency for internal combustion engines. So if we converted all vehicles to electric it would account for only about 19,000 GWh of electrical consumption. <br />
<br />
King comes back to transportation later in the article. He states that the “vast majority of British Colombians can not be served by mass transit.” In fact, over 75% of the population of BC live in municipalities that have a public transit system. The problem is that our transit modal share is abysmal by international standards. For example Zurich, Switzerland has a transit modal share of 65% - more than four times the best example in BC. There is no reason why we can't achieve this type of modal share if we give people good options.<br />
<br />
It is also true that we could only achieve this type of transit use in areas of significant population. But almost 70% of BC population lives in just 3 metro areas so focusing on those areas could result in a large dent in private vehicle use. Inter-city electric trains could provide an alternative for another significant portion of trips.<br />
<br />
If we use electric public transit it would results in over a 90% savings in energy compared to private vehicle use. Assuming only a 50% modal share (much less than Zurich) and applying it only to the top 3 metro areas of BC we now are down to 13,000 GWh to replace gas and diesel use.<br />
<br />
King seems to think that public transit is an expensive option but the evidence suggests otherwise. Research by UBC's Professor Patrick M. Condon and Kari Dow showed that an extensive light rail transit system could be built over much of the lower mainland for the cost of expanding a single bridge to include more light vehicle traffic.<br />
<br />
King is correct that panel vans and commercial light trucks could not be replaced by public transit. But we already have a least two companies in Vancouver using 100% electric vans for delivery. In other areas of the world they are using hybrid bio-diesel / electric vans. Bio-deisel can also be used for transport trucks. Fully electric transport trucks are currently being tested in some corridors. And of course fully electric trains are already used for long distance goods transport in some areas of the world.<br />
<br />
The article also discusses natural gas use but once again makes a calculation error. About 83,000 GWh of energy is used by natural gas to heat buildings, heat water and for industrial processes. The author seems to assume that if we switch to electricity the consumption would be the same. But it would not. Many natural gas burners are only about 80% efficient. Yes, some new expensive boilers are over 95% efficient but there are also many old boilers in BC that are well below the 80% value.<br />
<br />
So, just by switching to electric resistive heaters (which are close to 100% efficient) we would achieve a 20% reduction in energy use. But from an energy perspective this makes no sense when we could switch to heat pumps which are about 300% efficient (efficiencies can even be higher if it is a water or ground source heat pump). So the reduction would be closer to 70%.<br />
<br />
This ignores the gains that can be made even before we make the switch to electricity. Energy efficiency engineers regularly are able to achieve 30% reductions in energy use in commercial buildings in BC. One recent example in Vancouver saw a 90% reduction in natural gas use based on a technology that had a payback of less than 5 years.<br />
<br />
It also ignores the reductions that could be seen if we adopted a PassivHaus standard for building construction. This standard is widely used in parts of Europe and results in buildings that use 90% less energy for heating than we do here in Canada. <br />
<br />
Based on the factors described above we would need less than 33,000 GWh of electricity to replace all the gasoline, diesel and natural gas use in BC. <a href="http://Blair King's recent blog post (August 17th Huffpost British Columbia) “Dispelling Some Myths About British Columbia's Energy Picture” attempted to create a more complete picture of BC's energy use. He makes an important point that we need to move beyond rhetoric about renewable energy and focus on practical solutions based on quantitative analysis. Unfortunately, King made some miscalculations and inaccurate statements in his piece. He is correct that electricity is only part of the picture when it comes to BC energy use. King points out that gas and diesel accounts for about 78,000 GWh of energy. But he then incorrectly assumes that if we converted all these vehicles to electric the consumption would be the same. Electric vehicles are about 80% efficient compared to 20% efficiency for internal combustion engines. So if we converted all vehicles to electric it would account for only about 19,000 GWh of electrical consumption. King comes back to transportation later in the article. He states that the “vast majority of British Colombians can not be served by mass transit.” In fact, over 75% of the population of BC live in municipalities that have a public transit system. The problem is that our transit modal share is abysmal by international standards. For example Zurich, Switzerland has a transit modal share of 65% - more than four times the best example in BC. There is no reason why we can't achieve this type of modal share if we give people good options. It is also true that we could only achieve this type of transit use in areas of significant population. But almost 70% of BC population lives in just 3 metro areas so focusing on those areas could result in a large dent in private vehicle use. Inter-city electric trains could provide an alternative for another significant portion of trips. If we use electric public transit it would results in over a 90% savings in energy compared to private vehicle use. Assuming only a 50% modal share (much less than Zurich) and applying it only to the top 3 metro areas of BC we now are down to 13,000 GWh to replace gas and diesel use. King seems to think that public transit is an expensive option but the evidence suggests otherwise. Research by UBC's Professor Patrick M. Condon and Kari Dow showed that an extensive light rail transit system could be built over much of the lower mainland for the cost of expanding a single bridge to include more light vehicle traffic. King is correct that panel vans and commercial light trucks could not be replaced by public transit. But we already have a least two companies in Vancouver using 100% electric vans for delivery. In other areas of the world they are using hybrid bio-diesel / electric vans. Bio-deisel can also be used for transport trucks. Fully electric transport trucks are currently being tested in some corridors. And of course fully electric trains are already used for long distance goods transport in some areas of the world. The article also discusses natural gas use but once again makes a calculation error. About 83,000 GWh of energy is used by natural gas to heat buildings, heat water and for industrial processes. The author seems to assume that if we switch to electricity the consumption would be the same. But it would not. Many natural gas burners are only about 80% efficient. Yes, some new expensive boilers are over 95% efficient but there are also many old boilers in BC that are well below the 80% value. So, just by switching to electric resistive heaters (which are close to 100% efficient) we would achieve a 20% reduction in energy use. But from an energy perspective this makes no sense when we could switch to heat pumps which are about 300% efficient (efficiencies can even be higher if it is a water or ground source heat pump). So the reduction would be closer to 70%. This ignores the gains that can be made even before we make the switch to electricity. Energy efficiency engineers regularly are able to achieve 30% reductions in energy use in commercial buildings in BC. One recent example in Vancouver saw a 90% reduction in natural gas use based on a technology that had a payback of less than 5 years. It also ignores the reductions that could be seen if we adopted a PassivHaus standard for building construction. This standard is widely used in parts of Europe and results in buildings that use 90% less energy for heating than we do here in Canada. Based on the factors described above we would need less than 33,000 GWh of electricity to replace all the gasoline, diesel and natural gas use in BC. The BC Sustainable Energy Association has estimated that BC could produce 58,000 GWh annually from renewable resources excluding large scale hydro electricity. Clearly we have the technology to replace the majority of our fossil fuel use with renewable energy. We just need the political will to make it happen.">The BC Sustainable Energy Association has estimated</a> that BC could produce 58,000 GWh annually from renewable resources excluding large scale hydro electricity.<br />
<br />
Clearly we have the technology to replace the majority of our fossil fuel use with renewable energy. We just need the political will to make it happen.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-39148313299039097812014-06-08T20:38:00.001-07:002014-06-08T20:39:33.511-07:00Let's Be Honest about Rejecting Resource Extraction<i>My response to an interview with Dan Miller on CBC Radio's The 180:</i><br />
<br />
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; line-height: 120%; }</style>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Your interview with
Dan Miller contained more misinformed views than I have probably
heard in any single interview.<br />
<br />
I am resident of Vancouver who
is very much opposed to new LNG infrastructure, new pipelines and new
coal exports. But that doesn't mean I don't understand the resource
industries. I was born in northern BC. My family has worked in
resource industries for generations. I have worked for oil
refineries in this region and in the tar sands in Alberta.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He claims that my
position is simply an “emotional” argument. But it is not. It
is based firmly in science. The science is clear that we need to
reduce green-house gas emissions by 80-90%. That means that it makes
no sense to build any new fossil fuel infrastructure.
</div>
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<br /></div>
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On the other hand
his arguments were entirely emotional with no evidence offered to
support his position.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He claims that those
opposed to expanding fossil fuel infrastructure don't care about
human lives. This is Orwellian double-speak at its worst. Solving
the climate change issue isn't about saving the environment. The
environment will survive, although likely with much less
biodiversity. However, global warming will bring about immense human
suffering. And that is why so many of us dedicate time and effort to
this issue. It is very much about saving human lives.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He also claims we
don't care about the poor. But the overwhelming evidence is that
climate change will disproportionately affect the poorest of the
world. In fact, it is already affecting the poor of the majority
world. Some estimates have hundreds of thousands already dying in
sub-Saharan Africa as a result of anthropogenic climate change. Mr.
Miller seems to think we should only be concerned about middle-class
workers in Canada. His attitude smacks of neocolonialism and racism.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He made a passing
reference to the amount of single-occupancy vehicles in the Metro
Vancouver area. He conveniently ignores that fact that surveys
showed that the the majority of Metro Vancouver residents favoured
investment in cleaner public transit infrastructure. But the
provincial government with a majority primarily elected outside Metro
Vancouver ignored those wishes and built infrastructure that
primarily supports those single-occupancy vehicles.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In his bizarre
fantasy world it seems that resource industries are the only way to
fund education and health care. Again he conveniently ignores the
evidence of the real world. Countries like Japan, Switzerland,
Denmark and the Netherlands which have social program as good, if not
better, than Canada but have little or no fossil fuel resource
extraction.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He makes the
unsubstantiated claim that environmentalists have ignored the labour
movement. Apparently he has not heard of the Blue-Green Alliance,
an organization that exists in both the US and Canada. The Canadian
organization includes two of Canada's largest unions. Dan Miller
also ignores the research that shows that green industries like
renewable energy and public transit employee more workers than fossil
fuel industries.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Of course we will
need to transition our economy so that it is less fossil fuel
dependent. But there is on evidence to suggest that it is not
possible or that it will have a negative affect. Sweden saw its
economy grow by 44% while surpassing the Kyoto targets for
green-house gas reduction.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He claims that his
organization is dedicated to a “positive” discussion of resource
issues. In reality it seems he is more interested in misrepresenting
the views of others.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-73506911267522568382013-02-01T15:02:00.002-08:002013-02-01T15:07:00.311-08:00My Comments to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The official transcript is at:<a href="https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/ll-eng/livelink.exe?func=ll&objId=914749&objAction=Open">https://www.neb-one.gc.ca/ll-eng/livelink.exe?func=ll&objId=914749&objAction=Open</a><br />I have made small edits for clarity.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for
listening.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1827, over 180 years ago, a French
scientist, Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier, wrote a paper that helped us
understand how our planet works. It was based on earlier experiments
by a Swiss scientist, deSaussure. In 1896, Svante Arrhenius, a
Swedish scientist, building on that paper developed a formula that
allowed him to calculate exactly how much temperatures would rise
based on the CO2 that we put into our atmosphere.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That was 117 years ago. We’ve had 117
years of experiments, data collection, research, measurement and even
more precise calculations and yet, from what I understand, this
Panel is not even going to fully consider the impact of that science
and this project.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anthropogenic global warming has been
called the most peer-reviewed project in the history of science.
Every scientific body of national and international standing has
taken a position in favour of it and yet we’re not allowed to fully
consider the impact that this project will have based on that
science.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline
will pump about 525,000 barrels per day of petroleum. That works out
to 225 million kilograms of CO2 warming potential each day, or about
225,000 tonnes per day. That’s 82 million tonnes per year, or at
least I thought it was when I did those calculations. Then I realized
I was using the factor for conventional oil to do those
calculations, and since this is coming from the tar sands, the factor
should be higher. So it works out to be about 99 million tonnes per
year of CO2 warming potential that will be going through this
pipeline.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
As you probably know, just this
month the National Resource Defence Council in the United States
released some information showing that we’ve actually been
underestimating the CO2 warming potential from tar sands fossil
fuels.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So again we have these numbers, 99
million tonnes per year, and yet, from what I understand, we’re not
even supposed to be considering those numbers when it comes to the
impact of this project.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nicholas Stern, who wrote this very
damming report about how climate change would affect our economies,
recently admitted that he was wrong, That in fact he’d
underestimated the impact. He said, I quote, “It’s far worse.
This is potentially so dangerous that we have to act strongly.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t want to diminish the other
concerns about this pipeline. There certainly are very valid concerns
about the spills that will happen on land and on water.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My family has lived for generations
here in B.C. along the coast. My family was some of the original
settlers up in the area that’s shown on the map here [referring to
the map on the screen] along the pipeline route. And we’ve also
lived in Alberta. I actually worked in the tar sands for a brief
period of time. So again, I don’t want to diminish the very serious
effects that this could have on the ecosystem.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But the truth that we don’t want to
talk about too much is the fact that even if we had quadruple-hulled
tankers and even if we had triple- walled pipelines, even if we had
no spills on land or in water, almost all of this product would still
be spilled. It would be spilled into the atmosphere through
combustion at the end use. To me, that seems insane that we aren’t
even allowed to consider that impact in this process.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are allowed to consider the impact
that it will have on communities and, of course, climate change will
affect communities, not only here in B.C. but around the world. So I
guess, if we think about it that way we are allowed to consider the
impact that climate change will have.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The science is pretty clear that we
need to have an 80 to 90 percent reduction in fossil fuel use. What
that means is that even the existing pipelines that we have are
carrying too much fossil fuels and that we need to be decommissioning
existing pipelines in order to meet the targets that the science
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
says we need to meet.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To me, it just seems insane that we are
building new pipelines under these conditions. With all this evidence
of the harm that it will be doing to future generations, it seems to
me almost sociopathic to go ahead with a project like this.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyone who cares about our children and
future generations must work to stop this pipeline.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In April my first daughter will be
arriving, which means that I will continue to work to stop this
pipeline.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thank you
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-37454071036265665912012-11-15T14:03:00.000-08:002012-11-15T14:03:09.713-08:00Translink Fare Increase Talking Points- Transportation is one of the highest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in our regions so it is important to shift to less polluting modes.<br />
- Metro Vancouver with a transit modal share of only 13% lags behind many world class cities that have modal shares of 40-60%.<br />
- Zurich has achieved a transit modal share of 63% by keeping fares relatively low (a one zone monthly fare card is about 40% less than one in Vancouver).<br />
- Private automobiles are subsidized by about 6 billion dollars per year in our region.<br />
- The subsidies that to go automobiles should be shifted to transit. This would provide long term stable funding for the service and reduce the need for fare increases.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-81816632400574709542012-07-27T17:38:00.001-07:002012-07-27T17:39:14.464-07:00My Carbon Tax SubmissionA carbon tax can offers a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate innovative economic activity. However, evidence would suggest that the carbon tax must be priced appropriately.<br /> <br /> I believe that the carbon tax in BC is currently priced too low and needs to be raised significantly. The net price of natural gas including the carbon tax is now less than it was before the carbon tax was introduced in 2008. This means that it has not created any significant economic incentive for users to reduce consumption and switch to other energy sources. And it has made it difficult for businesses to create innovative alternatives to fossil fuels.<br /> <br /> Sweden has a carbon tax of over $100 per ton and has demonstrated success in reducing its emissions.<br /> <br /> We should be raising our carbon tax to at least that level to make BC a leader in innovative sustainability solutions.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-1162748587775133742012-06-03T22:46:00.002-07:002012-06-03T22:46:50.040-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blackoutspeakout.ca/"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://blackoutspeakout.ca/cms/uploads/files/english_mini_400x300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-84440755454359854562012-05-06T12:00:00.001-07:002012-05-06T12:00:25.478-07:00Coal Train Stopped<div style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 1.6em;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/7149382745/" title="IMGP7458"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7149382745_7e2cb36bbc.jpg" alt="IMGP7458 by Rob__" /></a><br/><span style="margin: 0;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/7149382745/">IMGP7458</a>, a photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/">Rob__</a> on Flickr.</span></div><p><br />On May 5, 2012 citizens blocked a BNSF rail line in White Rock, BC. As a result 6 trains carrying coal to a west coast shipping port were delayed or cancelled. Over a dozen people were arrested including two SFU professors (one a Noble Prize winner) and one former Vancouver City Councillor (also a medical doctor). <i>Via Flickr:</i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-53241490479729282992012-02-02T20:03:00.000-08:002012-02-03T10:34:04.056-08:00Alternatives to Enbridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6689847739_136cf0a133_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6689847739_136cf0a133_z.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline has been a hot topic here in BC. And one question that often arises is "What are the realistic alternatives?"<br />
<br />
The science is clear that we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80-90% (these calculations are detailed in the first two chapters of George Monbiot's book <i>Heat</i>). Which means we need to reduce fossil fuel use dramatically. And that means that simply refining the crude oil in Alberta or using trucks to ship it instead of a pipeline are NOT viable alternatives.<br />
<br />
So, I have attempted to produce a quick summary of realistic alternatives. This is just a quick summary - an entire book could easily be written on this subject.<br />
<br />
Please note that all these alternatives are realistic and proven. They are already being used by communities, individuals and businesses around the world. They do not rely on some new technology that has not been invented yet.<br />
<br />
Transportation:<br />
• Redesign urban areas with dense mixed use communities where most trips can be done by walking and cycling. <br />
• Longer urban passenger trips done by electrified rapid transit. <br />
<i>In many European cities 70-75% of trips are already done without cars and those numbers are increasing.</i><br />
• Inter-city passenger trips done by electrified high speed trains . <br />
<i>This is already common place in Europe and Japan.</i><br />
• Dramatically reduce global air travel and replace intercontinental trips with slower but much more efficient ships using new high-tech sails.<br />
• Long haul goods transported by electrified trains.<br />
• Short haul goods by electrified trucks.<br />
• Rural passenger and goods transport (eg. farm to town) by electric and bio-fuel vehicles.<i><br />Using bio-fuels in all private vehicles would be a disaster for food production, but the majority of Canadians live in urban environments and could use the transportation options listed above. Bio-fuels only make sense if used for a limited segment of vehicles.</i><br />
<br />
Building Heating:<br />
• Upgrade building envelopes on existing buildings.<br />
• All new buildings built to passiv-haus standards (which require minimal heating even in northern climates).<br />
• HRV (heat recovery ventilation) combined with electric heat pumps or high efficiency masonry furnaces using bio-fuels (ie. wood).<br />
• Solar Hot Water / Hydronics and Solar Hot Air (where efficient).<br />
• On-demand electric heater or heat pumps for domestic hot water combined with solar.<br />
<br />
Electrical Plug Loads, Appliances:<br />
• Upgrade to energy efficient lighting, occupancy controls, efficient appliances and phantom load controls.<br />
<i>Typical commercial buildings in BC can see a 30-40% reduction in energy use implementing projects </i><i>with paybacks of less than 5 years</i><i>. If we encouraged projects with longer paybacks we could see even greater reductions in energy use.</i><br />
<br />
Embedded Energy:<br />
• Consume less material goods!<br />
• Require "cradle to cradle" design for all products.<br />
• Support local economies (especially the farming sector) to reduce transportation.<br />
<br />
Renewables:<br />
• None of the above solutions require fossil fuels but many require electricity. So electricity generated from fossil fuels needs to be replaced with Solar, Wind, Tidal, Wave, Geothermal and appropriately sited Mico-hydro. And if the solutions above are implemented efficiently we will be using less electricity than we do now.<br />
<br />
As an added bonus, the projects involved in making the switch to a less fossil fuel intensive society would generate far more jobs than the pipeline ever would.<br />
<br />
<br />
I am putting together a presentation based on the above summary. Contact me if you would like to have me present it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-33528134638738481162011-10-26T12:35:00.001-07:002011-10-26T12:38:09.544-07:00Oulu vs Vancouver<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div align='justify'><a href='http://www.ouka.fi/english/sports/cycling.htm'><img style='max-width: 800px; float: left; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;' src='http://www.ouka.fi/english/sports/bikes.jpg'/></a><a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oulu'>Oulu, Finland </a>sounds like an interesting place. A subarctic <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oulu#Climate'>climate</a> but with more than <a href='http://arcticmania.blogspot.com/2009/02/6-months-of-oulu-cycling.html'>500 km</a> of bike routes (mostly separated). Vancouver is at about 400 km, most not separated. And their modal share for cycling is between <a href='http://www.ouka.fi/english/sports/cycling.htm'>20</a> and <a href='http://arcticmania.blogspot.com/2009/02/6-months-of-oulu-cycling.html'>37</a>%. If Vancouver is going to be the world's greenest city we need to catch up with cities like Oulu. Unfortunately some of those candidates running for mayor want us to fall further behind.</div><br/>[<small><small>photo courtesy</small> </small><font size='1'><a href='http://www.ouka.fi/english/index.asp'> City of Oulu</a>, Finland ]<br/></font><div class='blogger-post-footer'><a href='http://rbaxter.blogspot.com'><br/></a></div><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=17297d59-d292-84ff-b0ee-215374d81b6a' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-86713710508956469642011-07-07T10:07:00.000-07:002011-07-08T19:43:09.819-07:00Media Ignores Motor Vehicle Subsidies<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><img height="119" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/topstories/2011/06/28/li-bc-110628-evergreen-burquitlam-translink.jpg" style="max-width: 800px;" width="212" /><br />
<br />
One of the big <a href="http://www.globaltvbc.com/Mayors+agree+Evergreen+Line+funding/5059830/story.html">news stories</a> here in Vancouver this morning is the announcement of a funding proposal for the long delayed Evergreen line. Rather than focus on the benefits of expanding cleaner transportation options most of the media seems focused on the two cent gasoline tax increase that will be used to fund the project. CBC radio is <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/earlyedition/podcast/2011/07/07/evergreen-line-workplace-evaluation-strawberry-patch/">encouraging drivers</a> to phone in and complain about the tax.<br />
<br />
But there is no mention of the fact that driving is highly subsidized here in the Lower Mainland. <a href="http://bc.transport2000.ca/learning/background/transport_2021/cost_report.html">Reports</a> by Metro Vancouver and the provincial Ministry of Transport estimate the subsidy to be as much as 6 billion dollars per year. It is unlikely that this small tax increase will come close to covering that subsidy.<br />
<br />
There is broad consensus that we need to make significant cuts to our greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. Both the provincial government and some municipalities have set targets of 80%. With transportation being the largest source of ghg emissions in our region it is clear we have to give drivers incentives to change their behaviour as well as cleaner options.<br />
<br />
Given this imperative the two cent tax increase seems far too low.<br />
<br />
[illustration from Translink]<br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=b3f1e684-ab66-8f70-89de-fbee9ee40335" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-57829503062453303442011-05-19T22:12:00.001-07:002011-05-19T22:12:27.485-07:00More Evidence of BC Climate Leadership Failure<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Canada's latest greenhouse gas emission inventory <a href='http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_ghg_inventories/national_inventories_submissions/application/zip/can-2011-nir-16may.zip'>report</a> was quietly released this week. The numbers are from 2009 (it takes over a year to compile the numbers and for some reason Canada seems to be about a month behind most other nations).<br/><br/>The release came only a few days after BC's new premier Christy Clark had <a href='http://glave.com/2011/05/07/christyclark/'>announced</a> her commitment to BC's "leadership" on climate change. So, how do the numbers reflect this "leadership"?<br/><br/>At first glance the 2009 emissions numbers for BC look hopeful. They are down 3.3% compared to the previous year. But is this decrease the result of macro economic factors in 2009 or good public policy? It appears it would be the economics - emissions actually declined for every Canadian province during 2009.<br/> <br/>In fact, BC was the third WORST province in annual percentage change between 2008 and 2009. Only Saskatchewan and Quebec preformed worse (To be fair to Quebec their emissions are actually below 1990 levels - BC's are 28% higher).<br/><br/>Yes, even Alberta had preformed better than BC on a year to year basis. And they have done so both years since BC introduced the carbon tax.<br/><br/>Although it is still early in the carbon tax regime I think it is becoming increasing clear that this policy measure is inadequate if other policies are not in line with the government's goal of ghg reductions.<br/><br/>The largest increases for BC emissions during the period since 1990 have come from Mining / Fossil Fuel Industries and Road Transportation. And it is in these two areas that the government continues to show no leadership when it comes to emission reductions. <img width='441' height='188' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwKxUo2LT4q-UgqXVg49kHgoEivL4_9rIOLoisbReZFC2OmUgCvjYGh_3wzQY1CrPDQDFLs9ef81-rQCG8feM9_7h7QMFopRGuMaxt7lzUzcwwlxqlRANchzzYfjlYlWOlnA/?imgmax=800' style='max-width: 800px;'/><br/><br/>The BC Liberals have continued to support and expand subsidies to the oil and gas industry. At the same time that have invested millions in highway expansion while delaying transit projects. Their own documents show that significant emission increases can be expected from these projects.<br/><br/>Let's hope the world can find better examples of climate change leadership than BC.<br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=280dbe91-d56d-8ea2-816f-c116f8690b40' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-64735501654691679082011-04-24T13:15:00.000-07:002011-04-25T06:55:17.601-07:00Getting Serious about Earth DayEarth Day is usually about rallies in parks, maybe some tree planting and recently corporate sponsored events. But residents in Metro Vancouver took things to another level this Earth Day when they took direct action against climate change.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/5648520720"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5648520720_481ae53f1e.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the Metro Vancouver region is transportation. Despite this fact the provincial government is in the middle of several large highway expansion projects. On April 22nd a group of local residents began occupation of a highway construction site. They have set up tents, barricades, an outdoor kitchen, toilet facilities, a solar power centre and appear to there for the long term. About 25 are currently camped out, vowing to stay and stop the freeway they call a ‘climate crime.’<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/5648525132"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5648525132_ca8a5c94fb.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
"Gateway's goal with the South Fraser Perimeter Highway is to triple truck traffic. What they don't tell you is that means triple the pollution, too," says North Delta resident Richelle Giberson. "I live three doors up from where this freeway is slated to go. My windows get coated in black soot from the truck exhaust already; it scares me to think about what it could be like in a few years.”<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/5647964591"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5647964591_edd4e0ecee.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
“We are planting these trees on the freeway route to demonstrate that we are fed up with battling asthma and cancers,” explains PJ Lilley, a Surrey organizer with StopThePave.org. “As a mom with kids at a school near the highway ‘fall-out zone’, I want to see a stop to the insanity of paving over our last green spaces on the Fraser River just to bring more trucks and pollution to our communities. Christy Clark’s government is not putting ‘families first’, money must go to transit, schools and health care instead.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/5647966429"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5647966429_827f742b0d.jpg" /></a><span lang="en-US"> <br />
The province is spending an estimated $2 billion on the new South Fraser freeway and is planning to spend up to $1 billion more on the North Fraser Perimeter Road through New Westminster. Meanwhile, this week, Translink is cutting bus service.<br />
<br />
<br />
"TransLink has cut bus service to save a few million, and meanwhile the province is spending billions on freeways which increase our dependency on cars and tar sands oil," explains Bob Ages of the Council of Canadians national board. “1950’s thinking won’t solve the problems of the 21st century.”<br />
<br />
"We must stop spending public money to make the climate crisis worse, and shift the money to solutions like public transit and electric trains" says Eric Doherty with the Council of Canadians Vancouver / Burnaby Chapter. “It’s time for all concerned people to take a stand against these freeway projects that are cooking our planet.”<br />
<br />
The freeway site occupation is an initiative of local residents and climate justice activists from StopThePave.org, local Council of Canadians chapters, and the Critical Criminology Working Group at Kwantlen University, and is endorsed by the over 20 groups listed at www.StopThePave.org<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=7fb0b9b2-ac95-8778-b392-b77ef28fec66" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-2829685793479265842011-04-21T22:01:00.001-07:002011-04-25T07:01:27.252-07:00Trucking Myths<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The StopThePave Earth Day Action has inspired a serious of tweets from Dan at http://bctrucker.com/<br />
<br />
Unfortunately these tweets promulgate myths about greenhosue gas (ghg) emissions and transportation. I guess there is still a lot of work to be done to educate the public around these issues. And in that spirit here are some of those myths:<br />
<b><br />
1. Building more highways will reduce congestion, fuel consumption and ghg emissions.</b> <br />
There is no evidence to support this idea. In fact, the evidence all points to highway expansion increasing emissions. The proponents of the SFPR and the other gateway program projects even admit this in their own documentation. The provincial government studies, conducted as part of the Environmental Assessment Process, project an increase of 176,000 tonnes per year in greenhouse gas emissions (<a class="external free" href="http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/documents/p247/d24666/1189031210771_a472fd1478e9414c83aed4d70a214df5.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/documents/p247/d24666/1189031210771_a472fd1478e9414c83aed4d70a214df5.pdf</a>).<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Program#cite_note-14"><span> </span></a><br />
<br />
Gordon Price of UBC has issued a challenge for someone to show him one example of city that has reduced congestion through highway expansion. So far no one has taken him up on the challenge.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sightline.org/research/energy/highway-widening/climate-analysis-gge-new-lanes-10-07">A study</a> by the Sightline Institute estimates that "..<b>each extra lane-mile </b>built will increase emissions of carbon-dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, <b>by more than 100,000 tons over 50 years. "<br />
<br />
2. People have other transportation choices but don't use them.<br />
</b>There is <a href="http://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=vancouver+under+served+transit&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=vancouver+underserved+transit&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&channel=fs&fp=7c1a13eee0c8cf22&hl=en&spell=1">plenty of evidence</a> that many parts of Metro Vancouver are under-serviced when it comes it transit. Anyone who has spent time travelling in cities outside North America will realize how far we have to go in giving people real transportation choices. Zurich is often cited as a good example of this. Many car owners leave their vehicles at home and use public transit because of the excellent service it offers.<br />
<br />
<b>3. We should focus on reducing emission from trains<br />
</b><a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2011/19/c3506.html">One study</a> found that road-based passenger travel has 2 to 4 times the emissions of rail based travel. The study also found that trucks emit 12 times the ghg emissions as rail and five times as much of other emissions.<br />
<br />
What does make sense is targeting the largest source of ghg emissions which in our region is light duty vehicles. Heavy duty trucks are farther down the list. And trains even further.<b><br />
<br />
4. We need more highways to transport goods. </b><br />
There is plenty of excess capacity on the existing road net work for commercial truck traffic. For example, only about 10% of the traffic on the Port Mann is truck traffic. By giving passenger commuters other options we free up this road space for trucks.<br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=e1a7a6a4-f2ec-8a66-a513-cb0dfbfbc50c" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-26562723890145530492011-02-14T15:54:00.001-08:002012-07-05T13:48:01.948-07:00CO2 emissions, cycling and the Hornby Bike Lane<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
In the ten years leading up to 2009 Copenhagen <a href="http://www.c40cities.org/docs/ccap-copenhagen-030709.pdf">reduced CO2 emissions</a> by 20% (<a href="http://www.kk.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/CityOfCopenhagen/SubsiteFrontpage/LivingInCopenhagen/%7E/media/C0E2947732784C8CBB79BD665354F613.ashx">40% since 1990</a>). During that time the cycling modal share increased by over 19% and the amount of "cycle tracks" (segregated bike lanes) increased by over 9%. <a href="http://www.vejpark2.kk.dk/publikationer/pdf/464_Cykelregnskab_UK.%202006.pdf">Copenhagen found</a> that adding cycle tracks to a road section resulted in a 20% increase in cycling.<br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-79738411456818559422010-08-11T10:53:00.001-07:002011-02-14T19:04:38.973-08:00Public Input on Bike Lanes<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a href="http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/08/11/BicycleBacklash/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thetyee+%28The+Tyee%29&utm_content=Netvibes">Certain elements</a> in the Vancouver media are trying to create opposition to the plans for the Hornby bike lane. Critics often claim that Vision, the current political party in power, has pushed forward bike lanes in an "aggressive" manner with a disregard for public process. <br />
<br />
Ironically as the NPA leaning blog <a href="http://www.citycaucus.com/2010/08/laneway-grousing">CityCaucus.com points out</a>, the previous NPA government actually created more bike routes during its tenure.<br />
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Some of these were simply bike routes that shared the road with vehicles. But there were many actual bike lanes that gave a distinct strip of pavement to bikes. Many were downtown and some removed parking and/or lanes for motor vehicles. Examples of bike lanes introduced before Vision took power include:<br />
- Burrard Street<br />
- Hornby Street<br />
- Pacific<br />
- Carrall Street<br />
- Homer<br />
- Richards<br />
- Pacific<br />
- Beatty<br />
- 41st<br />
- 49th<br />
<br />
But from what I remember in most cases there was LESS pre-construction communication and public process for these changes then there has for the Burrard bridge, Dunsmuir Lane expansion and the Hornby Lane expansion. <br />
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In advance of the the Hornby Lane there were two public open houses plus websites and social media that solicited input. And the original plans were changed based on the public input.<br />
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It seems to me that the reason we are hearing more criticism is because there has been earlier and more public communication about these projects prior to construction.<img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=f80f6b9b-faee-8941-95a9-6c6fdef180b7" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-88589196098477459492010-06-03T11:36:00.001-07:002011-02-10T15:01:25.783-08:00Transportation Modal Share - Vancouver vs. other Cities<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">With recent announcements of investment in cycling infrastructure some are predicting economic disaster if Vancouver reduces the number of light duty vehicles on the road. The table below compares transportation modal share in Vancouver with other selected cities. <br />
<br />
All of these cities have significantly less personal car use than Vancouver. In many cases it is less than half. Are these cities suffering economically?<br />
<small><br />
</small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><small> </small><br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr><td><small><span style="font-family: "Nimbus Sans L";">city</span></small></td><td><small>country</small></td><td><small>walking</small></td><td><small>cycling</small></td><td><small>public <br />
transport</small></td><td><small>private <br />
motor vehicle</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Vancouver</small></td><td><small>Canada</small></td><td><small>12%</small></td><td><small>4%</small></td><td><small>25%</small></td><td><small>58%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Metro Vancouver</small></td><td><small>Canada</small></td><td><small>11%</small></td><td><small>2%</small></td><td><small>13%</small></td><td><small>74%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>New York City</small></td><td><small>US</small></td><td><small>8%</small></td><td><small>1%</small></td><td><small>54%</small></td><td><small>32%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Bern</small></td><td><small>Switzerland</small></td><td><small>11%</small></td><td><small>11%</small></td><td><small>54%</small></td><td><small>24%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Zürich</small></td><td><small>Switzerland</small></td><td><small>8%</small></td><td><small>5%</small></td><td><small>63%</small></td><td><small>25%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Copenhagen</small></td><td><small>Denmark</small></td><td><small>6%</small></td><td><small>36%</small></td><td><small>29%</small></td><td><small>26%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Berlin</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>30%</small></td><td><small>13%</small></td><td><small>26%</small></td><td><small>31%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Stockholm</small></td><td><small>Sweden</small></td><td><small>15%</small></td><td><small>7%</small></td><td><small>43%</small></td><td><small>33%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Dresden</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>24%</small></td><td><small>17%</small></td><td><small>21%</small></td><td><small>38%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Helsinki</small></td><td><small>Finland</small></td><td><small>12%</small></td><td><small>6%</small></td><td><small>40%</small></td><td><small>41%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>München</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>9%</small></td><td><small>8%</small></td><td><small>41%</small></td><td><small>41%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Aarhus</small></td><td><small>Denmark</small></td><td><small>7%</small></td><td><small>27%</small></td><td><small>19%</small></td><td><small>43%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Bilbao</small></td><td><small>Spain</small></td><td><small>23%</small></td><td><small>0%</small></td><td><small>34%</small></td><td><small>43%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Frankfurt</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>11%</small></td><td><small>7%</small></td><td><small>39%</small></td><td><small>43%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>The Hague</small></td><td><small>Netherlands</small></td><td><small>5%</small></td><td><small>22%</small></td><td><small>30%</small></td><td><small>43%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Amsterdam</small></td><td><small>Netherlands</small></td><td><small>4%</small></td><td><small>22%</small></td><td><small>30%</small></td><td><small>44%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Madrid</small></td><td><small>Spain</small></td><td><small>9%</small></td><td><small>0%</small></td><td><small>43%</small></td><td><small>48%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Hanover</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>9%</small></td><td><small>13%</small></td><td><small>29%</small></td><td><small>49%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Bremen</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>7%</small></td><td><small>19%</small></td><td><small>24%</small></td><td><small>50%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>Hamburg</small></td><td><small>Germany</small></td><td><small>8%</small></td><td><small>8%</small></td><td><small>33%</small></td><td><small>51%</small></td></tr>
<tr><td><small>London</small></td><td><small>England</small></td><td><small>21%</small></td><td><small>2%</small></td><td><small>40%</small></td><td><small>38%</small></td></tr>
</tbody></table><small><br />
</small><br />
<small>source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_share<br />
</small><br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /><a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.com/">rob_'s ramblings</a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=dc3e0002-ba9c-8a21-9c8b-5b132bc1885d" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-90216123156294020552010-05-27T23:06:00.001-07:002010-05-27T23:13:59.964-07:00Double Hulled Spill Dogs Enbridge Announcement<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Today Enbridge <a href="http://cnrp.ccnmatthews.com/client/enbridge/releaseen.jsp?actionFor=1267676">announced plans</a> to file for approval for a pipeline that would allow them to ship petroleum from a BC Coast port. As part of the announcement they tried to reassure BC residents about the risk of spills by toting the safety of the double-hulled tankers that would be used at the port. They ran advertisements in major newspapers also promoting the safety of double-hulled tankers.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile a double-hulled tanker off the coast of Singapore <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-26/singapore-battles-oil-spill-misc-shares-decline-update3-.html">was damaged</a> on the and is leaking crude oil equivalent to 18,325 barrels.<br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie"><img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=4dd9e867-0a5a-8515-8aca-d0f8db537415" /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-38870611394105106252010-05-26T12:22:00.001-07:002010-05-26T12:23:25.069-07:00Most Cost Effecitve way to Reuce ghg Emissions<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>As construction starts on the Dunsmuir separated bike lane it might be helpful to remember a Norwegian <a href='http://www.klimakur2020.no/'>study</a> earlier this year<a href='http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61G2Z320100217'> found that</a> building cycling infrastructure was one of the most cost effective ways to fight climate change.<br />
<br />
<div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=218a6ad6-e8de-807f-a1e3-bdb56f89dbee' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-78297717174361081702010-04-26T13:27:00.003-07:002010-04-26T13:31:07.863-07:00Action as BC Fails Climate Goals<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>A group of local residents occupied a construction site for the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) for several hours on Sunday and unveiled a large banner reading "Climate Action Now."<br/><br/><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/30261607@N00/4554924139'><img src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/4554924139_b21b1210d5.jpg'/></a><br/><br/>The action came on the heals of <a href='http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/victorianews/news/92062424.html'>news that BC</a> was the only province to see substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions during 2008, the first year of the carbon tax implementation.<br/><br/>The SFPR is part of the massive Gateway Program which even the proponents admit will increase ghg emissions by over 170,000 tonnes per year.<br/><br/>The action along the SFPR alignment coincided with the annual <a href='http://www.pilgrimage2burnsbog.org/'>pilgrimage </a>to <a href='http://www.burnsbog.org/'>Burns Bog</a>.<div class='blogger-post-footer'><hr/> <a href='http://rbaxter.blogspot.com'>rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Technorati Tags: <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/stopgateway' class='performancingtags'>stopgateway</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/delta' class='performancingtags'>delta</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/climate%20change' class='performancingtags'>climate change</a>, <a rel='tag' href='http://technorati.com/tag/vancouver' class='performancingtags'>vancouver</a><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=26de3a76-1b0a-8464-b6f7-b3d50419bc01' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-57547096861717336332010-03-24T14:10:00.001-07:002010-03-24T19:00:03.438-07:00Farms not Freeways<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div align='right'><img width='387' height='290' style='max-width: 800px; float: none;' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53mYhh2TfHfaxfACzuWrngS4SOtRTq5a6Zu47ebpJ_tpkYtDScpU22NRZuxdoJCriBdQUwwPNXhnf3NRcU9L-5kBiBb79CfFvzzy1CSaZ3IFyQlats9Ov6Y5nNUslTUk-qO8/?imgmax=800'/></div><br/>A large sign reading "Farms not Freeways" has been erected along highway 17 in Delta, BC. Residents of the area joined forces with the Council of Canadians and GatewaySucks.org to put up the sign.<br/><br/>It is located near the route of the South Fraser Perimeter Road. It is estimated that over 200 acres (90 hectares) of farmland will be lost by this project. It is part of the larger Gateway Program which will increase greenhouse gas emissions by over 200,000 tonnes per year.<br/><br/><div class='blogger-post-footer'><hr/> </div><div class='blogger-post-footer'><hr/> <a href='http://rbaxter.blogspot.com'>rob_'s ramblings</a></div><div class='youtube-video'><object width='425' height='355'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/64u_4oAL8bU&feature=youtube_gdata' name='movie'> </param><param value='transparent' name='wmode'> </param><embed width='425' height='355' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/64u_4oAL8bU&feature=youtube_gdata'> </embed> </object></div><br/><br/>"Farms not Freeways" billboard - Harold Steeves Speaking Out<br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=2cc6ed1e-ff9f-8d97-9563-00c7d28a246d' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-61094863968364098942010-02-01T22:56:00.001-08:002010-02-01T23:09:36.439-08:00Would you like some chemicals with your snow?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>With the continuing warm temperatures in Vancouver, VANOC has had to resort to drastic measures to keep the snow at Cypress Bowl, the local snowboarding and ski venue. They have said that they may use "snow hardening" chemicals to help prepare the snow for the games. And this has local residents expressing concerns about those chemicals.<br/><br/>VANOC has ignored requests to identify which chemicals they will be using. They have claimed that this measure was included in the provincial environmental assessment for the venue. However, I was unable to find any mention of snow hardening or preserving chemicals in the assessment.<br/><br/>Generally the <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salting_ski_race_course'>chemicals used to prepare</a> ski and snowboard courses can include sodium chloride (salt), calcium chloride, urea, ammonium nitrate , and potassium nitrate. Some of the <a href='http://www.greengold.on.ca/toolkit/3e_ski.html'>chemicals used can be bio-accumulative</a>. <br/><br/>A swiss study found that water in streams fed by treated ski runs had much higher concentrations of salts than background levels measured in neighbouring streams. In fact, elevated levels were detected more than 15 years after treatment ended. The chemicals also can contribute to higher levels of chlorides, nitrogen and phosphorous in the local water systems. <br/><br/>This is part of ongoing analysis of how "green" the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games are. More articles at <a href='http://www.2010greenwatch.org'>www.2010greenwatch.org</a><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=2ba15ab8-21c2-8e28-b25c-d894c08aa1cb' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805550.post-68196999177979063162009-12-18T09:59:00.001-08:002009-12-18T13:21:18.042-08:00Community Activists Modify Construction Signs<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Morning commuters were greeted with new messages along <a rel='nofollow' target='_blank' href='http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Program'>Gateway Program</a> construction routes this morning. <br/></p><br/><p>The construction announcement signs had been modified to read "Farms not Freeway", "Peatland not Pavement", "Homes not Highways" and "Transit not Truck Routes."</p><br/><p>The action occurred on the last scheduled day of climate talks in Copenhagen. Government reports estimate the Gateway program will increase greenhouse gas emissions by over 160,000 tonnes per year. Independent modelling puts the figure at over 300,000 tonnes.<br/></p><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/43367159@N07/4195159629'><img width='268' height='201' src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2624/4195159629_59aef42420.jpg' style='float: right; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;'/></a><p>The signs modified included promises that transportation experts have consistently questioned.</p><p class='western'>Some sign promise that the project will be "<strong>Reducing Congestion."</strong> Yet, Gordon Campbell said in 2003 “You cannot build your way out of congestion”. <br/></p><br/><p>The signs also promise that the government is<strong> "Strengthening the Economy</strong>." The Provincial and Federal governments have provided massive investments to the Port in Prince Rupert to develop its container handling abilities. Yet the Prince Rupert port is quiet and being used at less than half of its capacity, while the Provincial Government spends billions to expand DeltaPort and its infrastructure. <br/></p><p class='western'><br/><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/43367159@N07/4195917746'><img width='395' height='296' src='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4195917746_0f0207523d.jpg'/></a><br/><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/43367159@N07/4195916574'><img src='http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4195916574_e0e13599f3.jpg'/></a></p><p class='western'><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/33082544@N04/4195627614'><br/></a></p><div title='np-footage' class='np-footage-class' id='np-footage-id'><a name='np-footage'/></div><p><a name='np-footage'><br/></a></p><div class='blogger-post-footer'><hr/><a name='np-footage'> </a><a href='http://rbaxter.blogspot.com/'><br/></a></div><div class='youtube-video'><object width='425' height='355'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/PK1_XF8Ac6M&feature=youtube_gdata' name='movie'> </param><param value='transparent' name='wmode'> </param><embed width='425' height='355' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/PK1_XF8Ac6M&feature=youtube_gdata'> </embed> <a href='http://www.youtube.com/v/PK1_XF8Ac6M&feature=youtube_gdata' class='htofnamzphdfkutggezv'/> <a class='htofnamzphdfkutggezv' href='http://www.youtube.com/v/PK1_XF8Ac6M&feature=youtube_gdata'> </a><a href='http://www.youtube.com/v/PK1_XF8Ac6M&feature=youtube_gdata' class='htofnamzphdfkutggezv' title='Block this object with Adblock Plus'> </a><a href='http://www.youtube.com/v/PK1_XF8Ac6M&feature=youtube_gdata' class='htofnamzphdfkutggezv'> </a></object></div>Community banners vs. government bulldozers<p>Tags: <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/Environment'>Environment</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/Vancouver'>Vancouver</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/one'>one</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/Highway'>Highway</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/Climate%2520Change'>Climate Change</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/Surrey'>Surrey</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/DELTA'>DELTA</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/stopgateway'>stopgateway</a> | <a rel='tag' href='http://my.nowpublic.com/tag/2009%2520Copenhagen%2520Summit'>2009 Copenhagen Summit</a></p><br/><div class='blogger-post-footer'><hr/> <a href='http://rbaxter.blogspot.com'>rob_'s ramblings</a></div><div class='blogger-post-footer'><hr/> <a href='http://rbaxter.blogspot.com'>rob_'s ramblings</a></div><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=705989c8-04b1-8050-96e7-1ad21497001b' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><hr /> <a href="http://rbaxter.blogspot.ca">rob_'s ramblings</a></div>Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13698285667289042620noreply@blogger.com10