This is a summary of the event “Climate in the BC Election” which was hosted at UBC’s Vancouver campus and shared through a watch party at the Kelowna campus on Wednesday October 16.
You can listen to the recording of this panel on YouTube. Please note that the opinions expressed in the recording are those of the speakers and do not represent UBC.
Summary by: Sidonie Wittman and edited by the CSRC team.
The outcome of the upcoming British Columbia provincial election will have huge implications on environment and climate policy. Housing, inflation, and job security have surged to the forefront of voter concerns, while climate change has fallen lower in voter concerns as compared to polling in previous elections.
As the BC election approaches, climate policies are critical. At this panel event, four researchers from the University of British Columbia (Professor Kathryn Harrison, Professor David Tindall, Assistant Professor Alexandra Tavasoli, and Associate Professor Werner Antweiler) answered questions about shifting voter concerns, from economic instability and the housing crisis to climate obfuscation tactics. In the recording, you will hear panelists share their views on how the carbon tax is framed as an election issue, and their views on how misinformation / disinformation around the carbon tax has shifted the landscape on carbon pricing in BC. The panelists also discuss how Indigenous reconciliation is being reframed in the election, and what this means for the environmental leadership in the province.
One major theme was the low rank that climate and the environment has in terms of voters’ priorities. Professor David Tindall (Sociology) in his opening remarks discussed how things like the economy, housing affordability and job prospects are a much larger factor for people when they are deciding which way to vote. Associate Professor Werner Antweiler (Sauder) emphasized that climate action and these economic priorities are not mutually exclusive. Professor Antweiler explained how climate can be connected to these values of jobs and affordability through communication techniques. For example, the transition to clean energy will require the creation of many jobs. Climate adaptation measures like electric vehicles and housing updates have a high upfront cost, but are more affordable in the long run. Professor Kathryn Harrison (Political Science) pointed out that the carbon tax does not decrease affordability as the money is recycled back into the system as rebates, but that this return of money is harder for voters to see clearly. The climate crisis, however, will decrease affordability though climate disasters which can also raise insurance costs. Highlighting these connections can help show people how climate policies support their values.
Another theme raised was the long term decisions that governments can make. Assistant Professor Alexandra Tavasoli (Mechanical Engineering) pointed out that decisions about energy grids have long lasting implications, and each party has different views on the future of energy in BC. Professor Harrison said that electrification was in BC’s best interest, as the province exports most of its fossil fuel production, making it vulnerable to global demand. This connected to Professor Tavasoli’s statement that added that ensuring 'resource sovereignty'—where BC can rely on its own resources rather than imports—is key to climate resilience and economic stability especially considering climate disasters and supply chain disruptions. These are all types of actions that require continued political commitment toward, which is difficult to get given the short term focus of politics.
The panelists all noted that this election would have major implications for climate in BC and urged everyone to make their voice heard by voting. To hear a recording of this panel, check out our Youtube channel, and learn more on how to vote here.
The Climate Solutions Research Collective would like to thank the Sustainability Hub and UBC CIRS for their support of this event, including venue and IT services.
