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Letter: We have responsibility to reduce climate change

How we do or do not act will have a huge effect on the lives of our children, notes Times letter writer Jennifer Condie.

Editor: As we are experiencing unprecedented weather patterns, climate change is upon us.

While we as individuals have not ‘caused’ climate change (except by being born into, and living a ‘normal life’ in a rich, Western nation) we do have a responsibility to act to reduce its impact.

This is not just an ecological issue.

It is a human rights issue, as the world’s poor who have done the least to contribute to the problem are disproportionately affected.

It is a legacy issue, as how we do or do not act will have a huge effect on the lives of our children.

It is an economic issue, as problems such as displaced persons and problems growing food have huge economic costs, as well as social costs.

Canada should cut carbon emissions by one-third within a decade to keep the promises we made at the December UN climate conference in Paris.

As individuals we often feel powerless, but by standing together, and pushing our government to act with integrity, we can have an impact on our future.

Jennifer Condie,

Surrey