Put Climate Change on the Front Burner: One Man's Opinion

By Ben Meisner

While it may not matter to a good many people reading this column today, the fact is that we had better have a very close look at how we look at what the future holds for the people of this region.

The global warming, and there is no doubt it is increasing year by year, could mean that by 2080 we could grow  fruit on a commercial basis in this region.

Now I don’t expect to be around to see it happen but someone had better begin to address the problem before it hits us square in the head. Keep in mind this won't all happen at once, just a slow temperature climb. The beetle is an example of what Mother Nature is now dealing us and within the next seven to ten years the results of this ravage will be felt.

So where can we go with the woods industry, perhaps growing a different kind of wood, or for that matter growing the type of forest that grow very quickly such as they do in places like New Zealand which has a warmer climate ?

Quesnel has taken upon itself to look at the future, not through a crystal ball but rather with a committee that is now looking at what that community can do to offset the virtual death of the woods industry.

In Prince George we seemtp have the attitude that because we are the regional center we have little to worry about. It will come to no ones surprise that as the small communities around us go, so will the fortunes of Prince George.

We have a major road block heading our way in the mountain pine beetle, we will lose mills we will face a shortage of fiber for our pulp mills and we will see the reduction of our population by major proportions unless we roll up our sleeves and begin to face the future head on. To this date we seem to be taking the attitude of out of sight out of mind and that will come back to haunt us.

I’m Meisner and that is one man's Opinion.

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