The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is branded as a project that is going to increase revenues to 73. 5 Billion dollars, employment, tax benefits, and return any farmland or wetland they disturb back to it’s place (Trans Mountain, 2014). Though, Trans Mountain is persuasive as to how the pipeline will protect the environment and indigenous people, and how the pipeline increases revenues. The company fails to mention the environmental damage that will be done when this pipeline is built, and the cost required to rectify the pollution.
It fails to mention the how the loss of farmland and wetlands will affect the Canadian environment, the depletion of non-renewable energy sources. Overall, the pipeline will negatively affect all aspects of life for the citizens except the citizens living in Alberta who are in dire need of jobs. The Environmental Defense of Canada, stated that many Canadians do not want the Trans Mountain pipeline due to: the risk of oil spills, the release of 71. 1 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide, the flawed data of economics, and because the Canadians felt the review process by the National Energy Board was rigged in favor of the pipeline (DeRochie, 2016).
This depicts the need for Justin Trudeau to reject expanding the already built pipeline and rather focus on how to repair the land surrounding the already built pipeline. Expanding the existing pipeline will increase tanker traffic which will affect B. C’s busy harbor, tourism, wildlife, aquatic life, and the general health of the population. Even if there are precautions taken into not having an oil spill it will definitely affect the aquatic life (T. Buck Suzuki Foundation, 2016).
Additionally, the approval of this pipeline will increase 2oC in the average temperature which goes against the agreement signed in Paris. The National Energy Board fails to understand the environmental and coastal risks that this pipeline imposes. If the pipeline were to spill, the orcas that reside close to BC would be severely harmed, the NEB has not even acknowledged all the past oil spills by Kinder Morgan, developing this pipeline will surely affect the aquatic life. Overall, using fossil fuel infrastructure is not economically practical as Canadians want to build a cleaner energy economy.
The environmental aspect of the Morgan Pipeline will be detrimental to the ecosystem and the public if it bursts, as the company has no immediate backup plan. Eradicating Canada’s natural capital will not allow Canada to move forward as an eco-friendly country. Plus, abusing natural capital will lead to environmental degradation, it will ruin the chances of creating services & goods for the future. The resources Canada has is plentiful, but it is not sustainable for about a century, solely due to the way the government is allowing big corporations to acquire natural resources (Sustainable Prosperity, 2014).
Money oriented oil frackers will lead to Canada to an economic, environmental, and international reputation downfall. Solely considering economic activity disrupts the critical ecosystem function and contributes to social decline (Wilson, Tyedmers 2013). Second, the negative social aspect that the Kinder Morgan Pipeline inflicts is worrying. This pipeline will be crossing into previously signed Native American treaty land, building a pipeline on their grounds will harm their health, their safety, and disrespect their wishes.
The Natives use the surrounding water in Alberta & B. C to make a small income for their family, after this pipeline they would spend majority of their time avoiding oil tankers and hoping oil does not spill (Elizabeth McSheffrey, 2016). To knowingly develop a pipeline that goes against the First Nations wishes to keep their land sacred and clean, is truly despicable. The First Nations were tormented by the New Settlers, which is why they were given their own reserves, so that they can live happily with nature. The Native Americans are similar to the people in Bhutan who adapted to live with nature, both groups want to preserve, grow, and guard their land (Annie Kelly, 2012).
The government needs to create a holistic portrait for progress, a happier and healthier nation is far more worth than GDP. The lack of social equity displayed towards the Aboriginals is absolute injustice. Not only is their food source and incomes will be affected but their general happiness and health as well. If the government cannot respect the previously signed laws for Indigenous rights the UN will have to interfere, as any project that impacts their basic, cultural, constitutional, environmental rights will be stopped (Boyles, 2016).
Thus, this pipeline will help Canada economically at the cost of deteriotating natural capital and causing social injustice uproar. The situation would be handled similar to the protest in North Dakota right now. Canadian government needs to find sustainable methods to increase the GPI not increase GDP, as GDP only accounts for what is bought and sold. Overall, furthering this pipeline will cause a negative relationship to the inhabitants of British Columbia and Alberta. And create a positive relationship with corporate companies who wish to abuse Natural Capital for their own profit.
The well-being of the people is not being considered when building this pipeline, there is a lot of inconsistencies in the policies of the Pipeline yet it is on the verge of being approved. The importance of the Kinder Morgan pipeline to the GPI can be perceived by categories such as cost of household pollution abatement, cost of water pollution, cost of air pollution, cost of noise pollution, loss of wetlands & farmlands, cost of resource depletion, cost of long term environmental damage, cost of ozone depletion, and many more.
This pipeline will severely subtract from the GPI adjustment categories. Whereas, GDP would consider this as an income generator, the well-being of people is not being accounted for. The possible ways to increase GPI by building this pipeline is: 1. There will be income distribution adjustment, as monetary economy increases and the addition of jobs will generate more profit. 2. Increase the verbal input from the First Nations residing nearby and providing them with agreements beneficial to them.
3. Get volunteers to monitor the activity happening across the sea whether it be ships crossing or measuring the aquatic population. Similarly, as mentioned above there are many categories that affect the GPI negatively. The megatons of pollution released into the air will affect the already depleting ozone layer, cause more cancers for the Canadian civilians, cause more respiratory diseases (The World Counts, 2014). At the same time the pollution will infest our air, water, and land thus making the resource rich country depleted.
The cost to repair all these environmental damages will be significantly high not to mention it can even cause food and water scarcity in Canada. Within a few decades presumably majority of our natural capital will be depleted, this will result in military management of natural resources and marginalize most of the Canadians. The Canadian inhabitants would have a similar situation to the third world countries suffering from the Resource Curse. Though it would take long time it is inevitable if the government does not seek ways to use cleaner energy.
Moreover, this pipeline will cause a social justice uproar, violating indigenous rights will cause UN interference and a violent conflict. First Nations needs and wants have to be accommodated first as they solely depend on the land for everything and the treaties were signed years ago for their safety. Conclusion: Canada needs to implement a national strategy to use cleaner energy so that it creates longer lasting jobs in the industry rather than depending on the pipeline to create infrastructure jobs for 15 years.
A holistic approach will save this country for many generations to come and keep their inhabitants happier. Though the pipeline will increase GDP in the beginning, any mishap will lead to a decline in both GDP and GPI. As of November 29th, 2016 the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has approved the Trans Mountain Pipeline (Tasker, 2016). Justin Trudeau has broken all the promises to a sustainable environment and indigenous rights. There will definitely be a violent conflict happening in B. C similar to the Standing Rock protests.
As a leader he has failed to account for the environment and the wellbeing of BC & Alberta. Trudeau has to implement ways to have natural resources recycled not depleted. Overall, this pipeline will be immensely harmful to the Canadian population. It will affect the GPI negatively and eventually lead the wealthy to take advantage of the small people. Radical change has to implemented to stop this pipeline. In conclusion, this pipeline will lead to the downfall of wellbeing of the citizens and at this time hope for a change is what Canadians should wish for.
