DID YOU KNOW THESEFACTS ABOUT LNG?

WHAT IS LNG?

LNG or Liquefied Natural Gas is methane gas compressed to a liquid so that it can be transported more easily. The Government of BC is promoting the extraction, transmission and shipping of substantial quantities of LNG to Asia.

What are the Consequences?

CARE FOR CREATIONAs the community of Christ, we are called to care for Creation and all creatures in the One-earth Community and stand in solidarity with those most affected by resource-extraction projects.

There are renewable alternatives to LNG and other fossil fuels which show much more promise in terms of ecological health and long-term sustainability.

For more information please contact: John Dillon Ecological Economy Program Coordinator KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives jdillon@kairoscanada.org

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives 310 Dupont Street, Suite 200 Toronto ON M5R 1V9 416-463-5312 | 1-877-403-8933 www.kairoscanada.org

CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL WARMING

The LNG industry contributes to global warming through leaks of methane, a greenhouse gas 83 times as potent as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period and by using fossil fuels for transportation and compression.

According to one confidential study commissioned by the BC Environment Minister, a fully realized LNG strategy would increase BC’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 100%.

Although cleaner-burning than coal on-site, upstream and downstream methane and CO2 emissions and use of fracking for extraction make burning BC LNG in Asia a worse environmental alternative than even coal.

THREAT TO COASTAL COMMUNITIESAn LNG industry threatens coastal communities due to the hazards of shipping LNG through tight navigation channels. LNG is highly explosive and tankers require large buffer zones.

VIOLATION OF INDIGENOUS RIGHTSIndigenous peoples are asserting their right to be consulted, to be full and effective participants in all aspects of a project, and to be able to grant or withhold free, prior and informed consent before LNG compression and shipping terminals and pipelines are sited on or near their lands as established by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

THREAT TO SALMON AND OTHER HABITATLNG terminal siting and emissions of warm water from compression operations threaten Salmon habitat.

In 2015 members of the Lax Kw’alaams voted overwhelmingly to reject an offer of one billion dollars over 40 years from Petronas, the corporate owner of the Pacific NorthWest LNG project, citing concerns about the threat to salmon habitat in the Skeena River estuary near Prince Rupert.

Millions of juvenile salmon congregate each year on the Flora Bank near Lelu Island to feed and grow.

QUESTIONABLE ECONOMIC BENEFITSThe LNG industry is capital-intensive and results in relatively few permanent jobs.

At the current price of LNG overseas, an LNG industry would contribute very little net revenue to BC. Government subsidies would be required.