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Taxation only climate action B.C. government can offer

Recently the B.C. government out of the blue increased the speed limit on their main highways

Re: Introduction of B.C.’s climate action leadership team.

I drive a 3.0 litre turbo charged diesel engine. Recently the B.C. government out of the blue increased the speed limit on their main highways from 110 km to 120 km per hour, against what I understand is the safety wishes of the police. If I choose to drive at the new speed limit, I will output an additional 81 litres (158.76 gms or .35 lbs) of carbon dioxide per minute to the atmosphere. Along with the B.C. carbon tax worth 6.67 cents per litre,  Premier Christy Clark wishes to set up a climate action leadership team to reduce the province’s carbon footprint whilst, at the same time, enact policies that increase it. It seems that any movement on introducing climate change policies of any kind is difficult other than charging the public more taxes on fuel. It will be interesting to see what the new provincial government task force, with all of its experts, will come up with after the recent – what I consider a retrograde – environmental step of increasing the speed limit.

A. R. Shaw

Campbell River

P.S. General carbon footprint information has been published that indicates that driving a car a distance of 6km produces 1kg of carbon dioxide for a gasoline driven vehicle however no information is given with regards to loading conditions or whether or not engines are turbo charged.