On October 10 I was fortunate to attend a book signing at Northgate Plaza’s wonderful bookstore “The Book Keeper”. Marc Garneau shared some experiences as Canada’s first astronaut and other events in his life from his autobiography “A Most Extraordinary Ride”.
I had the opportunity to ask him a question and it was this: “Looking at Earth from space what emotions did you feel?” He replied that he felt a flood of emotions including some surprise at how small and fragile our planet looked in the vastness of space but also a feeling of awe at its beauty.
However, he also felt disappointment at witnessing the effects of human activity that resulted in the pollution of our thin atmospheric layer that sustains our lives. He was shocked to witness an enormous cloud of smoke obscuring the Amazon rain forest as a consequence of burning large areas to create land for farming. He mentioned seeing smog covering many large cities and even over the Great Lakes where we live. He witnessed seeing the effects of deforestation and erosion of hillsides resulting in huge soil deposits being washed into rivers.
As humans, we all have a responsibility to care for our planetary home. When we exploit its natural resources for economic gain we have a moral duty to do the least harm, to consider the risks, and take every reasonable precaution necessary to avoid irresponsible ecological destruction and pollution.
That brings me to next Wednesday’s presentation at the Sarnia Library Theatre. Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton is once again offering a series of presentations spread over several months, as it has for the last several years, and October 23 at 7pm will be this new series’ first event. Michelle Woodhouse, a Métis Water Protector, will present “Enbridge Line 5 – an Environmental Liability or an Essential Energy Pipeline”.
Line 5 was built in 1953 as part of a network of pipelines that bring oil and natural gas from western Canada to homes and refineries in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Quebec, and Ontario, including Sarnia. Its economic importance cannot be overstated.
Line 5 has experienced a number of leaks over the years along parts of its route but the 7 km long section under the Straits of Mackinac has so far remained leak-free. This section of the pipeline was constructed of thicker walled pipe with a durable enamel coating designed to resist erosion. However, after 71 years in service, many are concerned that it could rupture and cause devastating pollution of our drinking water supply in Lake Huron.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called Line 5 “an unreasonable risk” to the water supply and to the Great Lakes’ economies and wants it shut down. Michigan has the support of a number of Indigenous Peoples in Michigan and Wisconsin whose lands are crossed by Line 5.
Enbridge has proposed building a half-billion-dollar tunnel through the rock under the lakebed to encase the pipeline but that idea is considered controversial.
What if legal action results in Line 5 being shut down? What are the alternative options to transport oil and natural gas from Western Canada to its customers in the East?
Michelle will explore the issues on October 23 at the library. The future of Line 5 needs to be addressed urgently so that the water and land can be protected and those whose jobs and well-being depend on Line 5 can be reassured.
It is hoped that, because of its importance to Sarnia’s economy, many will attend this important presentation to gain a better understanding of all the issues. It should be noted that Enbridge was approached to take part but the company declined the invitation.
Decades ago Marc Garneau was shocked by the human-caused ecological destruction he witnessed from Space. Let us hope that someday a future astronaut will not look down at our planet and see a dark oily blob slowly spread and consume the waters of Lake Huron. The waters of the Great Lakes sustain over 30 million people on both sides of the border. Water is Life!
What: Enbridge Line 5 – an Environmental Liability or an Essential Energy Pipeline
Presenter: Michelle Woodhouse, Métis Water Protector
When: October 23, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Where: Sarnia Library Theatre, Sarnia, Ontario
Hosted by: Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton
Admission: FREE
Allan McKeown is a member of Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton
