News Release - December 10, 2014

BC government peddles massive new fossil fuel export industry at UN climate talks

VANCOUVER – The Wilderness Committee is crying foul this week after the BC government used its attendance at the United Nations COP20 climate conference in Lima, Peru, to reiterate claims that its new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industry is a “solution” for global climate change.

Despite clear evidence of the climate impacts associated with the province’s planned LNG export industry, the BC government continues to claim a leadership role on climate, touting its LNG strategy in a joint statement with Ontario, Quebec and California. But if just five of the dozen or so proposed LNG terminals go ahead, the resulting greenhouse gas emissions would double the province’s annual carbon footprint.

“BC’s new LNG industry, should it ever be established, would represent a climate disaster for British Columbians and every global citizen,” said Eoin Madden, the Wilderness Committee’s Climate Campaigner. “We know the production of fossil fuels is causing climate change, and the way to get off of fossil fuels is definitely not to construct giant new fossil fuel exporting facilities.”

Ninety per cent of the gas needed to feed new LNG terminals in BC would be extracted using the harmful process of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” This unconventional means of extracting gas releases substantial quantities of methane, a potent climate-changing greenhouse gas. Fracking also causes gas and other toxic materials to leak into the surrounding groundwater.

Contrary to the provincial government's claim that LNG will be used as a substitute for dirty coal, LNG will simply add to the burden of fossil fuels currently being consumed globally. There is no evidence to support the assertion that BC’s LNG will assist societies in reducing their climate impacts.

“The BC government is working overtime to persuade us, and the world at large, that it is somehow being a good citizen by gearing up to send far greater amounts of climate-changing gases into the atmosphere via LNG,” Madden said. “This is wishful thinking and I expect world leaders can see right through it. It’s embarrassing.”

The Wilderness Committee will continue to stand with First Nations, environmental groups, local governments, unions and citizens across BC in opposition to fracking and LNG in British Columbia.

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For more information, please contact:

Eoin Madden, Climate Campaigner, Wilderness Committee - (604) 353-9603