Re:  (B.C. Views, Jan. 18)

B次元官网网址淔ake newsB次元官网网址� is a serious problem. The U.S. election results may well have been influenced by the proliferation of lies on social media. But Tom Fletcher misses a critical point when he suggests that environmental groups and First Nations spread B次元官网网址渇ake newsB次元官网网址� when they oppose increasing investment in fossil fuels B次元官网网址� climate change is not fake news.

In fact it is not even news. Climate change is real, according to 97 per cent of the worldB次元官网网址檚 scientists, many of whom have been warning of the dangers of global warming for more than a generation. What has hindered political action on this long-known threat to humanity is the B次元官网网址渇ake newsB次元官网网址� promulgated by the wealthy oil and gas sector. These B次元官网网址渢itans of industryB次元官网网址� have a vested interest in deceiving the public B次元官网网址� they are protecting their source of wealth.

Some First Nations communities and all environmental groups, on the other hand, are more concerned about health: of communities, wild species, the ecosystem, public and planetary health.

In todayB次元官网网址檚 world we all need to sharpen our analytical thinking skills to discern the truth. One way to do that is to ask what might be gained by promoting a particular point of view. Wealth? Or, health?

I invite the Gazette to do its part in promoting clear thinking by presenting a point of view which differs from Mr. FletcherB次元官网网址檚. Perhaps an editorial from one of our many leading climate scientists on the reality of climate change, and the actions necessary to prevent global disaster.

Karyn Woodland

Metchosin

EditorB次元官网网址檚 Note: The Gazette runs environmental columns by David Suzuki on a semi-regular basis.