Letters: Saskatoon emissions reduction report ignores dismal reality
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Saskatoon’s recently released 2023 climate action progress report celebrates reduced community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 12 per cent and per capita emissions down by 27 per cent from 2014. The report suggests GHG mitigation efforts are progressing and promises a new climate action plan for 2025.
At first glance, this report appears promising; however, further analysis reveals that after more than 10 years, our GHG reductions have been dismal.
Most of city hall’s emissions reductions reflected in this report can be attributed to electricity use, a provincial jurisdiction, with emissions reductions coming from expanding renewable energy and reducing coal power. In contrast, city hall’s influence encompasses emissions from land use, green spaces, municipal, residential and commercial buildings, and transportation.
Re-evaluating, we see only 100 residential retrofits have been completed out of roughly 100,000 households with further applications for HELP funding held up due to funding availability. There are delays in advancing industrial, commercial and industrial retrofit incentives — a sector better financially positioned to reduce emissions compared to residential homes.
The report also reveals that transportation emissions reductions are negligible.
The city must realistically acknowledge its climate shortcomings and strengths. It must advocate for clean renewable energy and learn to leverage its direct role in areas such as land use and transportation, while providing incentives to advance larger systemic emissions reductions.
To not move with focus and urgency means we will be choked with more GHG pollution, buried in higher costs and stressing the fabric of our community.
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Sonja Vrinten, Saskatoon
City, province fail homeless people
Recently, I made my way to the Centre Mall for what I hoped would be a quick trip. Once my shopping was completed, I headed towards my vehicle in the parking lot. Snow began to fall fast, and strong winds had arrived again in the city. Inside my SUV, I was warm and safe.
Listening to Christmas songs as I drove, I approached one of the exits to turn right onto Moss Avenue. I saw a man, maybe in his early 30s, sitting and crouched down on the ground. He had a toque, coat and maybe gloves or mittens.
He held a slightly bent brown cardboard sign that read in ink, something to the effect of; “Hope to see my dad this Christmas.” Part of me hoped to lock eyes with him, so he knew he was seen. Part of me didn’t. As I slowly turned the corner, tears began to stream down my cheeks.
Why can’t what really matters in life, be more important than money? There are so many frustrating ironies in the decisions the City of Saskatoon has made with regard to infrastructure and homelessness. Why aren’t we investing in the people of Saskatoon first, before investing in projects built to attract more people to the city?
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No matter the race, gender or mental health of a human being, each one of us deserves to be warm and safe. I’ve decided to keep some blankets in my car from now on, and maybe some snacks too. If the City of Saskatoon and province of Saskatchewan won’t fix this immediate crisis, at least I can do my part. Merry Christmas?
Shannon Seymour, Saskatoon
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