Letter Argues for Ending Fossil Fuel Dependence
A Surrey resident urges the provincial government to rethink its economic focus and stop depending on oil and gas projects that harm the environment and undermine long-term prosperity. In a letter to the editor published December 13, 2025 the writer calls for a strategic shift toward cleaner energy and sustainable jobs while preserving B.C.’s natural landscapes for future generations.
Economic Risks of Fossil Fuel Reliance
The letter asserts that oil and gas extraction has been framed as essential to B.C.’s economy, yet it warns that continued reliance on these sectors locks the province into volatile markets and delaying meaningful climate action. The author notes that global demand for fossil fuels could wane as countries adopt stricter emissions standards and invest in renewables, leaving B.C. exposed to economic instability if it fails to diversify now.
The writer also points out that the costs of climate impacts including wildfires, drought, flooding and infrastructural damage are already stretching public finances and will only grow if greenhouse gas emissions are not significantly reduced. Investment in cleaner industries, the letter says, makes economic sense as well as environmental sense.
Environmental and Health Concerns
According to the letter, expanding oil and gas activity contributes to air and water pollution with real consequences for local ecosystems, Indigenous territories and community health. The writer cites reports from scientists and Indigenous leaders who emphasize that safeguarding watersheds, forests and coastal regions offers both cultural value and long-term ecological security.
The letter further argues that younger generations are paying the price for past reliance on fossil fuels. It calls for provincial leadership that prioritizes their futures by focusing on energy sources with lower emissions and less environmental risk.
A Path Toward Renewable Energy and Green Jobs
Rather than backing new oil and gas projects the writer urges the government to accelerate investment in renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal and in technologies like green hydrogen. The letter suggests that such sectors not only help reduce carbon emissions but also create stable employment opportunities across B.C., particularly in communities affected by declines in traditional fossil fuel jobs.
The writer encourages policies that support retraining programs for workers transitioning from oil and gas to renewable sectors, and incentives that attract clean tech investment. According to the letter, communities that embrace innovation and sustainability stand to benefit from global trends that favour low-carbon economies.
Civic Responsibility and Future Generations
The letter concludes by appealing to provincial leaders and citizens to act with foresight and responsibility. It says that protecting the environment, stabilizing the economy and promoting public health are interconnected goals that require decisive policy changes. The writer calls on British Columbians to advocate for an economy not tethered to oil and gas, but built around sustainability, resilience and respect for the natural world.
Letters like this reflect ongoing public debate in British Columbia over energy policy, economic planning and climate commitments at a time when provincial decisions are scrutinized for both environmental impact and economic viability.
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