The Editor:
Re: New West council divided on continuation of climate action levy (Dec. 26, 2023)
Some politicians are eager to declare their interest in "climate action."
However, I rarely hear our leaders address the health impacts of local air pollution caused mostly by road traffic and worsened by the popularity of bizarrely over-polluting vehicles.
The negative health impacts of air pollution — especially for those living close to busy roads — are well documented.
We also know, according to the International Energy Agency, that Canadians drive the most polluting vehicles of any country in the world.
Here in Metro Vancouver, we get regular warnings that it’s unsafe to exercise outside — not because there’s a forest fire somewhere nearby, but due to so-called "ground-level ozone," which is a nice way to say smog created by cars.
If someone chooses to drive — for no good reason — a road-hogging gas-guzzler, they are, at the most benign, clueless.
Why should such people have the right to endanger the health of, say, children who want to do something as natural as play outside?
I know it’s hard for politicians to take a stand against over-polluting vehicles in a society that prioritizes cars over people.
Furthermore, I realize that our local politicians aren’t going to change things overnight.
But I’d be extremely impressed if even just one of our local politicians showed some guts by speaking up for our right to breath cleaner air.
- Patrick Parkes, New Westminster
