Mark Jaccard: Why I'll be blocking BNSF coal trains on Saturday

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      Environmental economist Mark Jaccard, a professor in SFU's School of Resource and Environmental Management and the former chair of the B.C. Utilities Commission, released the following public statement today (May 3) in support of British Columbians for Climate Action's plans to stop BNSF coal trains at White Rock this Saturday (May 5):

      This Saturday, May 5, at dawn I'm joining other British Columbians in White Rock at the pier to stop Burlington Northern Santa Fe coal trains from reaching our ports. Like others, I'm willing to engage in civil disobedience and risk arrest on Saturday to emphasize how important it is that we take urgent action to stop the actions that cause climate change.

      The window of opportunity for avoiding a high risk of runaway, irreversible climate change is closing quickly. Within this decade we will either have steered away from disaster, or have locked ourselves onto a dangerous course. Our governments continue to ignore the warnings of scientists and push forward with policies that will accelerate the burning of fossil fuels. Private interests -- coal, rail, oil, pipeline companies and the rest -- continue to push their profit driven agenda, heedless of the impact on the rest of us.

      This has to stop. We can't comfort ourselves by thinking "if it were really that bad, government would do something about it." It is that bad, and what government is doing in response is entirely inadequate.

      Putting myself in a situation where I may be accused of civil disobedience is not something I have ever done before. It is not something I ever expected to be doing or wanted to do. But the current willingness of especially our federal government to brazenly take actions that ensure we cannot meet scientifically and economically sound greenhouse gas reduction targets for Canada and the planet leaves me with no alternative. I now ask myself how our children, when they look back decades from now, will have expected us to have acted today. When I think about that, I conclude that every sensible and sincere person, who cares about this planet and can see through lies and delusion motivated by money, should be doing what I and others are now prepared to do.

      I pledge, along with everyone else taking part on Saturday, that my actions will be peaceful, non-violent and respectful of others. There will be no property damage. We will conduct ourselves in a safe, open and transparent manner. We are putting ourselves on the line Saturday because our future is at risk and we have to stand up for it.

      Comments

      17 Comments

      LostMyGlasses

      May 3, 2012 at 2:53pm

      Is he still taking his orders from Gordon Campbell, whom Jaccard called "visionary"?

      Ian G62

      May 3, 2012 at 3:33pm

      stay safe Dr Jaccard - trains have a habit of not stopping at the moment you want them to

      NoLeftNutter

      May 3, 2012 at 3:55pm

      Gee Mark, those are the same hollow threats we heard 10 years ago and 20 years ago. It seems the only proof your side of the CAGW scam has is the incorrect models that don't compute
      Who appointed you the saviour of the world and one of the chosen few that should determine the quality of life for the rest of us? Forward into the srone age.

      john Sayre

      May 3, 2012 at 5:31pm

      Yes, Yes, it is about time we all stated taking action on this issue---Canada's record on climate change is an disgusting.

      rick111

      May 3, 2012 at 6:24pm

      This fool should be in a coalmine slaving away..

      Mark Brooks

      May 3, 2012 at 7:55pm

      Bravo Mark Jaccard. It's about time more of us take a stand - particularly those in a position of influence like yourself. It's a courageous act.

      full throttle

      May 4, 2012 at 12:48am

      What an idiot.

      Dirk McGowan

      May 4, 2012 at 11:32am

      The people leaving negative comments and dismissing Mark Jaccard are decidely poorer writers, and seem like theyu have a more irrational, generally more confrontational tone.

      besafedude

      May 4, 2012 at 3:24pm

      I think this guy doesn't realize how long it takes to stop a train. I hope he figures it out before he hurts himself

      Freight Train, Freight Train, going so fast...

      May 4, 2012 at 8:58pm

      She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes, all together now, she'll be coming round the... Then squash!

      Make sure you don't go off the rails Mark. My money's on the choo choo puffer.

      I think I'll catch up on some shut eye tomorrow.