VANCOUVER – In light of current proposals to increase coal exports from ports in Greater Vancouver, the Wilderness Committee is launching a newly produced video addressing the global climate impacts of coal industry expansions in BC.

Controversial plans to increase coal export capacity at the Fraser Surrey Docks and North Vancouver’s Neptune Terminal would make the region the largest exporter of coal in all of North America. These expansions would be added to the existing capacity at the Westshore Terminal in Delta, BC, which is now able to ship 33 million tonnes of coal per year—making it Canada’s top coal exporter.

“Raising awareness about coal exports is critical right now, while Port Metro Vancouver is considering these ill-conceived plans to boost coal shipping capacity,” said Joe Foy, National Campaign Director with the Wilderness Committee.

“World leaders are dragging their feet on climate action and instead of leading by example, British Columbia is becoming an even bigger player in an industry that is known to be a huge contributor to climate change. Shipping more dirty coal out of BC ports would be taking a giant step in the wrong direction,” he said.

Coal is one of the most significant contributors to global climate change, and reducing worldwide greenhouse gas emissions that result from burning coal is a major challenge. Though BC does not typically burn coal for electricity, it is mined in the province and commonly shipped overseas to Asia and other international markets.

To view the Wilderness Committee’s new video, visit: http://wildernesscommittee.org/video/block_coal_exports_bc

The video was produced and edited by Malcolm MacLean.