In true far-left elitism style, Montreal-based Guardian ‘environment writer’ (according to his Twitter profile) Martin Lukacs blasted Alberta oil companies as what he called “The arsonists of Fort McMurray”.
In a column published in The Guardian, Lukacs asserts:
Fossil fuel corporations are causing the climate change fuelling mega-fires – and they should be footing the bill for the devastation.
The article describes oil sands (or as Lukacs prefers to call it ‘tar sands’) companies as:
The same companies that, by their very design, chase profits with no mind for the ecological and human consequences.
Several anti-oil activists have already promoted the radical viewpoint – led by none other than the Leap Manifesto’s chief architect:
Brave piece from @Martin_Lukacs: "The arsonists of Fort McMurray have a name" https://t.co/z3xbG1p1lh
— Naomi Klein (@NaomiAKlein) May 12, 2016
Of course Lukacs refuses to mention the millions of dollars and countless amount of supplies in aid oil companies and their workers have offered to those affected in and around Fort McMurray. He does however applaud help offered by:
First Nations welcoming thousands to their communities; Muslims praying for rain at the Alberta legislature; and Syrian refugees, barely resettled in the province, gathering donations.
And of course everyone who helped should be commended; the reaction has been fantastic. It’s just interesting, however, to see that Lukacs refuses to even mention oil companies and the countless oil workers who have given so much to help those in need.
Unfortunately this is just another voice added to the growing list of anti-oil radicals trying to capitalize on their political agenda after such a horrible tragedy. Rob Breakenridge wrote a piece in the Calgary Herald on Tuesday which offers an excellent perspective on this all: Unlike social media trolls, oilsands companies show they care.