(Calgary) Calgary is the most recent Canadian city to declare a climate emergency, but some feared during a debate about it that the move could be seen as an attack on the energy sector.
By a margin of 13-2, city council voted on Monday to accept a recommendation to declare a climate emergency and update Calgary’s environmental plan to aim for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Council heard during the debate that 517 municipalities in Canada and 2043 around the world have already adopted similar measures.
“The cost of doing nothing is very high and we cannot afford it,” said Councilor Raj Dhaliwal, who introduced the motion.
“We want to lead by example and make Calgary a global center of excellence that will send this big message to global financial markets. ”
Councilor Gian-Carlo Carra believes the City has taken an important step forward.
“It really sets us up for a meaningful statement on how climate resilience and declaring a climate emergency is essential for our city, our province, our country, the world right now. ”
But the word ’emergency’ sparked concern from a number of advisers, including Sonya Sharp, who wanted the statement changed to a ‘call to action, accelerating Calgary’s climate resilience strategy’.
“Urgency is a very heavy word, and it is very heavy for our citizens at the moment and it is not really the word that we have to worry about – rather it is the actions and the principles of the plan”, a she declared.
Mr. Carra, for his part, believes that thinking is not enough.
“Calgarians are known to be way behind the rest of the world when it comes to climate change so I think what we’re trying to do here is pick up speed and not stay behind the pack. ”
Calgary Mayor Jioti Gondek and the rest of council met earlier today with members of the Canadian energy sector who have already committed to carbon neutrality by 2050.
Councilor Sean Chu opposed the move, saying Calgary’s oil and gas sector is already suffering from an emergency of its own.
“It seems a lot of people want to shut down our oil and gas industry, but how many would be willing to take action and stop using oil and gas in our environment?” It takes actions – not words, ”Mr. Chu said.
“Why should Calgary, or Canada for that matter, bear the disproportionate cost of saving the world? We only represent 1.5% of greenhouse gas emissions. ”