Letter to the editor:

Re: “12th and Cambie: Mayor Robertson, what’s your alternative to crude, dude?” April 26.

I am writing in a response to Mike Howell’s journalistic effort. It was an attempt to challenge Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson’s interest in protecting Vancouver waterways and beaches against an increasingly aggressive oil industry that is in decline. We need to support Robertson in taking this difficult position. We need to stand together to challenge the global energy industry to provide the safe alternatives. As an entrepreneur, Robertson understands that necessity is the mother of invention. He knows that by saying “no” he can help create a globally competitive business environment where energy experts and entrepreneurs are allowed to develop their acceptable energy alternatives. I don’t think it is wise to ask Robertson to prescribe energy alternatives for the planet; but I think we do want him to take a clear stand against more crude in Vancouver so that the energy corporations understand that it is time for them to implement the alternatives.

Garth Greskiw, Vancouver