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Ditching fossil fuels could be 'the hardest thing humans have ever done': McKibben

"We've dug ourselves into a hole with fossil fuels and climate change," noted environmental activist and author Bill McKibben told a sold-out crowd at the 15th anniversary banquet for the B.C. office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on March 27, citing an alarming increase in climate change related disasters over the past decades.

"The first rule of holes is that when you find yourself in one, stop digging. We have to stop using fossil fuels. This could be the hardest thing human beings have ever done."

McKibben's climate activist site 350.org has played a key role in organizing global demonstrations that call on the world's nations to more effectively restrict the fossil fuel driven increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide that lies behind climate change.

McKibben, also the lead organizer for acts of civil disobedience in Washington DC last year credited with inspiring President Obama's decision to delay the Keystone XL pipeline, told the crowd that the world is relying on Canadians to stop the construction of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project. Earlier in the day, he spoke to an anti-pipeline demonstration of over 2,000 in downtown Vancouver.

"Along with protecting this most beautiful coastline, and along with protecting all the people and other creatures that have been here for so long, you also have the great honour and the great burden of having to help protect the rest of the planet," McKibben told that crowd, according to the Vancouver Observer.

McKibben said he was hopeful that Canadians would succeed in blocking the construction of the Enbridge pipeline, which if built would foster more climate-searing development in Alberta's tar sands. However, he said he was less confident about a global victory in the fight against fossil fuels and human-caused climate change.

Despite those doubts, he said he would continue to fight, and closed his speech by saying: "All around the world people are engaged in this fight. It is an honour to stand with them, and with you here in Vancouver."

Tom Sandborn is a regular contributor to the Tyee. He covers labour and health policy beats, and welcomes your feedback and story tips at [email protected].

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