It’s not every day that a leader in the global movement to prevent dangerous climate change comes to town. This Saturday, however, Vancouverites are in luck as 350.org founder and well known environmental author, Bill McKibben, will be in town and participating in an action to oppose coal exports organized by StopCoal BC.
Coal? Not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking climate action issues in BC needing urgent attention. StopCoal BC, however, would like that to change, and is gaining widespread attention for their small, but effective, efforts. Coal exports are shaping up to be the next big carbon battleground, and it turns out that Vancouver is on the front lines.
“It is time to shed some light on BC’s role in the global coal trade and this just might be the issue that acts as a tipping point for widespread climate action in BC,” says StopCoal BC member Kevin Washbrook.
BC is more closely involved with coal exports than I initially realized. While the vast majority of coal mined in BC is metallurgical coal (the kind used in the production of steel), BC ports are major exporters of thermal coal (the kind burned to produce electricity). The problem is this: the amount of thermal coal exported through BC’s ports, when burned offshore, will produce more greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) than we do here at home.
The question this raises is that of climate responsibility. The citizens of British Columbia – like everywhere – have a responsibility for doing our part when it comes to preventing dangerous climate change. What we do here (directly and indirectly) has an effect on emissions elsewhere. Respecting emissions generated within the province, we have taken important steps in the past few years, earning a laudable reputation for climate action. But the atmosphere doesn’t differentiate where a tonne of carbon equivalent comes from so our shared responsibility extends beyond our own borders. And the maintenance of our international reputation is put in jeopardy by continuing to support the export of massive amounts of GHG-laden coal to jurisdictions with less stringent environmental practices.
BC’s domestic emissions were 68.7 million tonnes in 2008. In 2010 we exported 27 million tonnes from the port in Metro Vancouver and 8 million tonnes from Prince Rupert. The emissions produced from the burning of those exports: 73.5 million tonnes (using the BC government’s conversion rates).
This size of that reputational risk is equal to the opportunity that lies with us: BC has the largest coal export facility in all of North America.
A breakdown of the picture: BC’s role in Coal Exports
BC has three ports involved in coal exports: Ridley (Prince Rupert), owned by the Crown, Neptune (North Vancouver), 46% owned by Teck Cominco, and Westshore (Roberts Bank, Delta), owned by the Jim Pattison Group. The breakdown of the amounts of coal flowing through each is as follows:
- Ridley: Exported an estimated 8.3 million metric tonnes in 2010, of which 24% was thermal coal. Plans are currently underway to expand capacity at the port to 24 million tonnes by 2015.
- Neptune: Exported an estimated 7.5 million tonnes in 2010, with plans to expand to 9.5 million tons this year. All metallurgical coal.
- Westshore: Biggest export terminal for coal on the continent. Capacity: 29 million tonnes per year. Actual volume exported in 2010: 24.7 million tonnes, of which 5.6 million (or 23%) was thermal coal.
Canada produces 9.5% of the world’s metallurgical coal, and the vast majority of that is produced in British Columbia.
How you can help
StopCoal BC is looking for concerned people who are interested in helping in the fight against climate change by targeting BC’s coal exports. Take their direct action pledge online at www.stopcoal.ca to get details on the public action downtown Saturday April 9th with Bill McKibben.
The organization is looking to build small, trusted, networks of people who will feel comfortable collaborating on future actions. If that is you, you now have a way to take some meaningful action in the fight against dangerous climate change and show your support for BC’s continued action on the matter.
