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Deciding the future of a Canadian ecological treasure
At the heart of the hearings to decide the future of the Great Bear Sea and Rainforest is whether, and under what conditions, we should permit super tankers and a bitumen pipeline in one of the last intact temperate coastal rainforests on Earth.
Posted by Gerald Butts
The hearings to decide the future of the Great Bear Sea and Rainforest got off to quite a start this week. Big oil, foreign intrigue, a grassroots uprising, dueling polls, angry Ministers; this one has all the makings of a blockbuster. No wonder the media interest has been so strong. But all this fervor has obscured the heart of the matter, which is whether and under what conditions we should permit super tankers and a bitumen pipeline in one of the last intact temperate coastal rainforests on Earth.
I suspect most Canadians would be surprised that the proposed route of the Enbridge pipeline bisects this ecological treasure. Pipeline proponents would rather frame this issue around developing an Asian market for oil sands bitumen – and the allegedly nefarious U.S.-based interests who would prevent U.S. from doing so – than have a science-based debate about the very real risks associated with getting it there via this route.
Kermode or Spirit bear in the Great Bear Rainforest. © Natalie Bowes / WWF-Canada
It is the peculiar Canadian paradox that we are blessed with such natural beauty and abundance that we often fail to value it appropriately. Even by our standards, however, the Great Bear is a special place. It is the only habitat in the world for the Spirit Bear, which is rarer than the Giant Panda. Humpbacks, orcas and many other species of cetaceans take advantage of this uniquely quiet cold ocean to prosper. Eagles are as plentiful as sparrows are in Canada’s urban parks.
All five species of Pacific salmon are present, providing the basis for a prosperous fishery. When spawned out or dragged into the forest by grizzlies and bald eagles, these fish deliver the nitrogen needed to grow trees to a size they have no business reaching at this latitude. This in turn allows for healthy and sustainable forestry.
Mercifully, the communities that have been sustained by this wondrous ecosystem for millennia do not share our paradoxical undervaluing of nature. B.C.’s Coastal First Nations know well that Great Bear’s value as a functioning ecosystem dwarfs the tantalizing but fleeting promise of short-term cash from oil revenues.
And they know from history what we know from traditional science: that this meticulously interconnected ecosystem is very vulnerable to disruption. A toxic event, even in Enbridge’s own estimation, cannot be ruled out. The 1,170-kilometre pipeline would divide the rainforest, crossing countless salmon rivers. At Kitimat, toxic diluted bitumen would be loaded onto supersized tankers. Each year, more than 200 would travel through narrow fjords out into some of the world’s most treacherous seas.
© Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada
This isn’t the first time the Great Bear has been threatened. Just 25 years ago, it was slated to be clear-cut. After 15 years of conflict, a group of unlikely allies found a solution. First Nations, forestry companies, NGOs, the Harper and Campbell governments and both Canadian and U.S.-based philanthropists came together to create a world-leading model of ecosystem management and economic development. By combining conservation with better logging practices, and using a public-private funding model to finance new economic development, we found a way to protect the environment and the economy of the Great Bear.
The current question of whether foreign interests can participate in the NEB hearings is curious in this context. Should we prohibit oil sands companies, the majority of which are foreign-owned and operated? It also hypocritical, given that the industry and government has spent untold millions to lobby foreign governments, air PR campaigns in foreign markets and solicit foreign direct investment in the oil sands. The message we are sending the world is that you are free to come to Canada to exploit nature, but not to protect it.
In the interests of full disclosure, less than two per cent of our revenue came from U.S. foundations that have been targeted by smear campaigns recently. We are proud to add that support to the larger contributions we receive from almost 150,000 like-minded Canadians. We are also proud to provide a platform for Canadians who care deeply about conserving nature around the world, from the Amazon to tiger habitats of Russia and south Asia. Most important, we are transparent about our sources and uses of revenue (see wwf.ca), which cannot be said for those leading this spurious campaign.
Ultimately, this debate is a red herring designed to distract. The Great Bear is globally significant. If this development were proposed for the Amazon or the Great Barrier Reef, people around the world would engage. These are irreplaceable sites and input from global citizens who care about nature should be welcome. This expectation ought to be second nature in an open-society such as ours.
A version of this opinion piece ran in The Globe and Mail on January 11, 2012.
16 Responses to Deciding the future of a Canadian ecological treasure
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I can only echo the words of those who have written in opposition to this illogical pipeline.It is disheartening to see that our government has such a lack of foresite and concideration for the wellbeing of our country and planet, not to mention the wildlife.
The oil companies can not be trusted,their history of spills and destruction of aquatic and feathered wildlife overshadows anything they can say to the contrary.
Jobs is always the bait that is used in a case like this but they rarely come through as predicted.
We must dio whatever we can to to stop this proposal. I also am from Ontario and would like to know how I can lend a hand. -
It is not a “possibility” that an accidental oil spill/leak may happen. it is very possible that this can happen. Look at our history. This area is so delicate and so very much integral to our planet’s ecosystem. The earth’s whole ecosystem depends on this area. Without it, we may see a collapse in our climate systems and natural food chains. Governments and corporations need to realize this and stop looking only at the short term gains. We have already lost so much because of the oil sands and oil production/use in general. How much more are we willing to give up? The consequences will be a never ending cycle that will consume everyone. The health of the people, animals, natural environment, etc will be affected, in turn, requiring more and more money. Natural disasters will increase…also requiring more money. This is an economic game that we must all be careful of. How many times do we need to remind people that oil is NOT the answer?
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There should never be any such pipeline and the Great Bear Sea and Rainforest should remain intact.
We have seen the terrible destruction of birds and fish from the gigantic oil spill on the west coast from the oil tanker Valdez. There should be no more such vessels on or near our west coast.
What can we do to keep marauders from devastating our country? What can we do to avoid this present risk of catastrophe?
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My husband and I strongly oppose this pipeline. Not only are we poisoning people, animals and our environment with the tarsands, now the Conservative government wants to potentially pollute this heritage wilderness. This project will only make the rich richer. Any jobs created for ordinary Canadians will be menial, and temporary. Meanwhile we will lose forever what makes us great.
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Irene Witty has mirrored my thoughts. Run it though Howe Street! Then load the oil from Vancuver harbour. Over the years there have been various spills from Petro-Can and Shell in Burnaby along Burrard inlet, residents there are well aware of the hazards, let pipeline proponents try to fight that constituency!
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Only when the last tree has died,
And the last river has been poisoned
And the last fish has been caught,
Will we realize that we cannot eat money.
- from the First Nations of Canada. -
Do not, please, risk the always possible destruction of this area of BC..
Yes, we want a viable economy for people, but at the same time, this viability comes at a huge risky cost
Staying with oil, staying with a mind frame that relies on oil for our source of creating energy is stupid. Yes I say stupid.
Our provincial and federal governments refuse to invest in alternate ways, like wind, electricity, etc..They’ve proven to be viable.
They take more money to initiate, and given our Canadian Governement has not signed the Kyoka agreement, what are we, as Canadians, committed to?
A world that works, or a world that just goes the same old, same old route.
At the end of my life, I want to think I made a difference.
I hope you do to. -
This is NUTS !!!!!!!! WHEN IS OUR GREED AND EGOSENTRISIM GOING TO STOP. HEY PEOPLE WAKE UP, DO YOU ACTUALLY FEEL BY KEEPING ON DESTROYING OUR WORLD WITH CRAP LIKE PIPELINES, ALL FOR THE SAKE OF MAKING A LOUSEY BUCK, THAT WE ARE MOVING AHEAD!!!! COMEON WAKE UP, ALL WE ARE DOING IS MOVING BACKWARDS AND KILLING OURSELVES. WITHOUT NATURE THERE IS NO US !!!! WE NEED NATURE AS MUCH AS WE ALL NEED LOVE. WE DESTORY NATURE WE DESTROY US AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK AROGANT, GREEDY, SELFCENTERED MONSTERS. START LOOKING AT THE MAN IN THE MIRROR AND STOP LIVING IN DENIAL AS TO WHAT YOU ARE REALLY DOING TO HUMANITY AND NATURE, BECAUSE ONCE YOUVE EATEN IT ALL UP AND WE ARE ALL STARVING AND DIENG OF DESIESE THEN WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AY??????
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This is one of the tough questions our elected representatives have to make. Do we choose to keep our country and our west coast clean, or do we let it all go for a few bucks ?
Personally, I am opposed to the development of the Tar sands, And I certainly hope that the pipeline to the coast will never be built !
Henk Saaltink
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I am greatly opposed to this project. I was born and raised in Prince Rupert BC. The Great Bear Rainforest is my home! Since I have learned about this project and the inevitable damage it will cause, I have developed a greater love and respect for this place than I have ever thought possible. At the same time, my fear of the destruction of my home region has grown as well. Up until now, I admit I have taken the beauty of the land for granted; but knowing there is a huge possibility and probability of the decline in the diversity of life and beauty of my home weighs heavily on my heart. I don’t have the traditional ties to this land that the Coastal First Nations have, but I am just as much a part of this land as they are. Every day, rain or shine (mostly rain though) there is beauty to be found. Countless eagles in the trees, porpoises or orca in the harbour, a ray of sun bathing the mountains, and cedar trees dancing with the storm winds. This is my home, without oil tankers.
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I am so sad at the prospect of this Enbrige Pipeline going ahead – I know we’ll lose – I know there will be an oil spill and I know it’ll make the Valdese spill of a few years ago look like nothing. The bitumen is so much more toxic. I do not understand how our governments can put their collective heads in the tar sands and say it’ll be ok and of course, we need the money. Why on earth can we not learn to make money and improve our economy with alternative energy like Germany? And of course, save what little pristine environment there is left in Canada? What will it take to get people to see the priceless treasure we have on the coast and for that matter, through the mountains where the pipeline is slated to go. If there’s a spill there, what will happen to the Caribou and other creatures? Will Mr. Harper listen? I doubt it – I have written so many letters to him – mostly I don’t get replies and when I do, they’re just spewing the party policies. So how on earth can we get him to listen?
Today Mr. Harper is in China and I’ll bet you he’s banking on this pipeline going through – I’m wondering if the descision has not already been made. I’m sending this to as many people as I can with the hope that Mr. Harper will receive thousands of letters, emails, phone calls from people all over the country. I’m hoping there is such a wave of opposition that he can’t possibly go through with it. -
I agree with all of these replys against this pipeline. We underestimate how crucial our animals are to our environment and how destructive this pipeline WILL be. It’s time everyone takes a look at things other than just money.
Thanks,
Carla in Calgary -
I really hope we can stop the bulding of this pipeline, I’ve grown up in BC and I’m someone who’s family comes from Europe as well, I’ve been so lucky to grow up and see the best of both these beautiful places. British Columbia has one of the most beautiful landscapes and vast areas where bears, eagles and other wildlife have their homes. This would create horrible perminant damage to our environment, and our children of the future will never be able to experience the nature as we have. Honestly, I see no plus side to this idea.
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I couldn’t agree anymore with this article. I hope we can stop this destructive pipeline.
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What can I do here in Ontario to object to the Gateway Pipeline? Can the pipeline not be built running beside the Trans Canada to Vancouver? If the projection of billions of dollars in revenue, whats a few more dollars to have the pipeline NOT be built to Kitimat? 3,000 jobs does not make the destruction of OUR rainforest worth it….
Thank you
Irene Witty
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I am encouraged to read the replies of others who think that this pipeline as it is proposed is a bad idea.
There needs to be discussion on this issue and the government seems hellbent on closing down discussion again as it has done on so many issues before. Bill C-18 dealing with the Wheat Board, proroguing parliament before the Olympics in Vancouver, refusing more discussion on the gun registry, refusing the hand over the material of the registry to provinces, handing a fait accompli to the health ministers, refusing to pay heed to statistics which show there is no need to build more and bigger jails and to facts which show that incarceration isn’t the answer to rehabilitation, spending money on planes for which there is no clear cost, the decietful dealings with Karios,…need I go on. All this tells me that this governement cannot be trusted. What we have here is Alliance/Reform under the name Conservative. By their fruits you will know them! “Harper sees politics as war.” (James Harding. Framers Resist Harper’s Anti-Democractic Rule. Prairie Messenger. Feb, 1/12) What we need is a stateman who knows who to conciliate.
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