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VANCOUVER – A report released by ForestEthics Advocacy shows that proposed fossil fuel projects in BC’s northwest will produce between one to 18 million tonnes of carbon. By comparison, the current Skeena wild salmon industry produces well under 0.1 million tonnes of carbon.

The report compares the number of long-term jobs created and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Skeena wild salmon industry with that of three proposed projects: Northern Gateway pipeline, Klappan coalbed methane, and Kitimat LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminal. 

“At twice the jobs and a fraction of the carbon, the Skeena salmon industry is true symbol of a green economy. This is the future of BC,” said Karen Wu Tam, senior conservation campaigner for ForestEthics Advocacy.

According to the report, the salmon industry currently accounts for more than 500 jobs while the three proposed fossil fuel projects combined would create only 310 jobs. The Skeena salmon industry has a job-to-GHG ratio 400 times higher than that of the proposed projects. Additionally, salmon industry jobs would be threatened if some of the projects were developed.

The Clark government has been touting job creation in its platform. In an open letter to British Columbians last spring, Clark said she wants to reduce carbon and be a leader in North America on the green economy.

“This report shows that proposed projects the government has been encouraging are at odds with their green economy agenda,” Tam Wu said. “We wanted to highlight that there are examples of industries that can be ecologically responsible and do not contribute to BC’s greenhouse gases.”

The report was released today to coincide with the GreenJobs conference in Vancouver today.

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Founded in April 2012, ForestEthics Advocacy is a non-profit society devoted to public engagement, outreach and environmental advocacy - including political advocacy. We secure large-scale protection of endangered forests and wild places and transform environmentally destructive resource-extraction industries. For more information, visit www.ForestEthicsAdvocacy.org.