sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

One major oil spill would kill the economy

While officials pat themselves on their backs about their new spill-response ship we must be clear that Transport sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ admits that only 10 to 15 per cent of a marine oil spill can be recovered in open water.

Also we need to be reminded that the National Energy Board announced that the pipeline and oil tankers should be built in the national economic ­interest even though they will likely cause adverse environmental effects on all wildlife, especially salmon and whales.

Four hundred or more extra oil tankers passing through the Salish Sea every year will create a disaster waiting to happen. It has already been dubbed a “global carbon corridor” that with one major oil spill could destroy the coastal economy.

Gary Henkelmann

Victoria

Goodall is travelling to educate the world

Re: “The Earth is in danger, so travel around it,” letter, Dec. 14.

While I assume Jane Goodall doesn’t travel the world in a private jet, at least she is seeking to educate the world, and that commercial jet will still fly with or without her.

Even if she travels by private jet, it’s still a public service to the world compared to profit seekers’ travels.

Unlike billionaires and millionaires travelling privately for profit or leisure.

Putting in 300-plus days a year is most admirable, the selfless dedication that must take.

I think the real irony here is that she has to travel so much for people to listen.

Aaron Malmgren

Colwood

Fountain removal is a head-scratcher

Re: “Centennial Fountain,” Dec. 17.

Martin Segger did an outstanding job of chronicling the historic, artistic and cultural significance of the Centennial Square fountain and its obelisks.

That they stand at risk of being removed to make way for the city’s misguided vision of the future of the square is tragic. One is left wondering if the very presence of the fountain and its celebration of the city’s centenary, is perhaps an unpleasant reminder, to those who seek to erase it, of Victoria’s colonial foundation.

Compounding this absolute folly, is the timely reporting of the mayor and council’s struggles to keep the city’s budget and resultant property taxes under control.

On the one hand they are looking for nickel and dime savings, while a $10 million to $12 million line item, for the re-imagining of the square, is staring them in the face.

Is anyone else left scratching their heads?

Brian Kendrick

Fairfield

Masking makes sense, even at the hospital

On Thursday, Dec. 14, I was taken by ambulance to the Royal Jubilee Hospital and admitted to the emergency department. Although the Ministry of Health had re-mandated masks to be worn within medical facilities in the province, only one staff member was.

Frustratingly, six ambulance paramedics were not wearing masks, none of the admitting staff, and only one of the emergency department staff who attended to me.

My attending nurse even suggested that I did not need to wear my mask. I politely rejected that notion, maintaining my masked status.

There are emotions around wearing masks. With more than 5,500 British Columbians dead, many of us follow the guidelines, not just out of respect for those who have perished, but also out of respect for another’s health.

I am willing to hide behind a mask. I am confident of its power.

Don’t let anyone stop you from wearing a mask.

William Perry

Victoria

Lower emissions found in Mexico

Re: “Climate change worries by the ­numbers,” letter, Dec. 8.

Mexico’s emissions are 3.6 tons per capita, sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½’s emissions are 15.2 tons per capita, and sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½’s emissions per capita are amongst the highest in the world.

Mexico would have a much stronger argument pointing to us as a reason to not do anything than we do pointing at them. We need to get our own house in order and not use Mexico or anywhere else as excuse to not lower our emissions.

The letter also mentions energy sources. The last time I checked it’s pretty sunny in Mexico, it’s probably why the writer visited there.

Bryan Crowther

Victoria

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