Dear Premier Redford,
Let me begin by congratulating you on your triumphant victory to leadership of the "ship of state known as Alberta". As a ship captain you are sailing in turbulent, stormy and even uncharted waters. Once pristine forests with their ecological and biological tapestries containing riches beyond our imagination were once whole - providing life for citizens of the planet in a complimentary way. Life and opportunity still abound in this treasure house filled with many amazing gifts. I believe the recognition of the individual importance of each gift requires a thoughtful and gracious approach as to what should be done with each gift. It must be like going through an old jewellery box of an ancestor who has passed it onto the next generation. Your task and response abilities are "legion".
I am writing about the unseen dangers lurking below the water line and shores where your "ship is sailing" and what appears to me to be destruction and wasted opportunity for the whole ship of state of Canada. Trying to "get one's head around" the complexity of an economy is like trying to understand the one who cannot be named - aka God - or life in its full regalia. Humans are a curious animal with a penchant to figure things out - and often the only way to do so - is to begin by taking things apart to see how they work. Another approach is to try something and if it works try harder and faster. In my humble opinion this is the current approach of fracking for oil and gas industry world wide. Not knowing the impact of what the results of the approach are - because they are not being measured, combined with denial of possible impact is in my estimation setting the possible outcome similar to the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.
As a trained biologist, theologist, psychologist, I have many lenses to observe and contemplate the possible outcomes that may occur over time from any action. I also know that when testing and observations are compiled in experiments knowledge and information can be helpful. Science usually works with only a few variables to limit probabilities and permutations. Such partial answers also eliminate what may need to be known. Political science often fails to acknowledge the complexity of power and many variables of such power as to how it can build up or destroy - depending on the chosen variables for the outcome desired.
Corporations and people can provide insight from the micro to the macro as to outcomes of behaviors. Those with the most money and capital can buy what they want and need. If corporations or citizens always get what they want, beyond their needs, the greed and course of actions may be more about the unconscious destruction of life for multiples of others remains unacknowledged and unaccouted for. Now that foreign governments and their state agencies are buying into the oil-sands operations in Alberta so that they can have access to the golden geese in their own lands, via the technology and where with all they have will one-day provide a surplus of energy beyond the human needs. Such speculation can spell out the boom will burst as most alway do. The lack of support in "sailing a diesel powered ship" for alternative models of energy and efficiencies is that the icebergs of disaster, although seemingly becoming less visible (by warming water melting them all) does not eliminate the dangers and "black holes" that can take down a ship without warning.
Since the investments of foreign states as they remove the oil and gas from our land, and hold in reserve their own tar sands and un-fractured oil and gas opportunities, what will future generations of Canadians have to meet their own needs at prices. Like food shortages, water shortages, and clean air and other ways that limit the possibility for life are unseen icebergs. I believe as a community we need all eyes, ears, and ideas to chart the course of the future. Your governments role as directors of investment and opportunities should be cautious and discerning using critical factors for the course ahead to the final destination.
Finally the "black-hole" of the future is in my perception going to arise from the poisoning of the aquifers underground in our land. This era of poisoning water will impact life around the world. Using the fresh water - for oil and gas aquisition through fracking will be "the contaminated needles of life" for life in future if we can not heal our addictions to the life we know versus who we can be. Fracking into the underground where cracks and crevices are part of the infrastructure of earth the transmission and contamination possibilities unknown yet probable is the approach of denial. I hope you can find and listen to what is really happening in the land and water, as you sail your ship that seems impervious to the voices and life beyond the walls of power and in places you never see or experience.
My children's children are depending on you and your government to accept the responsibility of your actions, whether they are acts of commission or acts of omission. Such responsibility must make your soul weary. I will continue to encourage and support you with my observations and thoughts. I hope you have access to read this.
Sincerely - bruce
To understand the world often one must look from the bottom up. We are who we are by how we treat the weakest, vulnerable, and voiceless amongst us.
