Watch what they do, not what they say

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BC’s NDP government promised, “On May 19, 2022, the Province introduced a new oil and gas royalty system that puts the interests of British Columbians first and eliminates outdated and inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies.” More than fifteen months later, we learn from the province’s just released audited financial statements that subsidies by way of royalty credits taken in one year by producers increased by $154 million to $1.7 billion. In addition, another $2.3 is available for producers to reduce or eliminate future royalty payments.

Accelerating climate change

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Eliminating methane emissions offers huge potential for quick, affordable climate action. Modern technology makes identification of leakage relatively simple, but industry and governments are dedicated to increased fossil fuel production. As a result, methane leakage is consciously underreported and methane abatement actions are not taken.

Naval deployment

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As a change from the usual subjects at In-Sights, here are photographs taken by Lorne Simpson of Victoria, a friend of 50 years or so. Lorne is a keen observer and a multitalented artist. To record scenes, he might use a paint brush or his phone, but he might also use a 4″ X 5″ large format camera. I think these photos might interest readers of In-Sights.

A journalist who understands journalism

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After 28 years as a key contributor at the Georgia Straight, Charlie Smith moved to Pancouver, a new arts and culture media outlet that aims to “shed light on how this history has shaped artistic creation in Vancouver.” Charlie Smith occasionally writes at Substack and recently he asked if it was “time for Canada’s older political journalists to call it quits?”

Methane control — low hanging fruit

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Strategic interventions to cut methane emissions in the natural gas supply chain are relatively simple and cost-effective compared to the complexity and expense of decarbonizing the global economy. Prohibiting venting and routine flaring and incorporating routine equipment fixes and upgrades into maintenance plans can significantly cut methane emissions from production sites.

☠ Fossil methane gas ☠

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Proponents tell us that fossil methane gas emits fewer greenhouse gases when burned than coal. “Natural Gas” has long been sold to us as a reliable, environmentally friendly, even classy energy source. But end-use combustion is only part of the story. Total GHG life-cycle emissions from extraction, processing and transport of this fuel reveal this mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons ia a prime cause of global warming and a problematic source of pollution within our homes…

Fuelling the fires

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Premier David Eby and Ministers of British Columbia spent much time in August 18 news conferences. They talked about dealing with wildfires and assisting the tens of thousands of people affected by the province’s hottest ever time for burning. Politicians spent little time talking about factors that contributed to the current State of Emergency…

Help IN-SIGHTS continue

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Reader help is needed and much appreciated. When supporting news and information web pages, please consider IN-SIGHTS.CA. After 14 years, survival of this advertising-free site is at risk. Reader contributions are needed to offset internet, computer, and research charges, site hosting costs, and subscriptions to numerous news sites in North America and Europe. Any amount is appreciated.

New radical “conservatives”

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Ethics and morality have little to do with today’s self-serving radicals who falsely label themselves conservative. In too many cases, politicians promising responsible management of taxpayers’ assets have shunned prudent exercise of power. They tolerate extensive damage to the planet so that financial rewards can flow to corporate cronies and financial supporters.

Collapse of modern society

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University of Manchester’s Dr. Kevin Anderson is a visiting researcher in the Department of Earth Sciences at Sweden’s Uppsala University. Anderson warns that continuing on our current path will result in a catastrophic outcome due to climate change. He cautions against believing the political rhetoric about progress and says the concept of NET-ZERO really means NOT-ZERO. He believes the commonly used expression is cover for an unacceptable plan to kick the can down the road.

Community-powered energy

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Over the years, clean renewable power costs have decreased steadily and efficiencies have improved. The British Columbia government and the main public utility offer few incentives for creation of energy near to points of consumption. Green electricity must displace fossil fuels but the NDP allows BC Hydro to maintain its near monopoly while it discourages local cooperatives seeking to create power for self-consumption. Provincial decision makers cling to business models rooted in the 1960s.

Carbon-free, non-destructive energy

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A pumped-storage hydroelectricity (PSH) facility moves water into a high-level reservoir during times of low demand, and then generates electricity by releasing water during times of high demand. Most storage occurs at night and most electricity is generated during the day. PSH is a proven method of energy storage with competitive round-trip efficiency and long life spans.

Western Canada refusing to limit a main cause of climate change

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Powerful people are willing to destroy us to enrich themselves. Governments are willing accomplices. Canada Energy Regulator says western Canadian fossil gas production hit an all-time high in November 2022, a year that included at least eight of the top ten producing months since January 2000. There are no plans to limit production. Instead, governments and industry plan major increases in fossil gas output.

Every alarm bell is ringing, but political reporters aren’t listening

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I looked at the writings of Vaughn Palmer, a person considered by many to be the Dean of the BC Press Gallery. The province’s production of fossil fuels is accelerating, and wildfires — with months to go in fire season — have consumed 450 percent of the average of the preceding 15 years, but Palmer is writing about any issue other than climate change. Not one of Palmer’s last 30 columns touches on the existential emergency.