350 Wenatchee Climate Conversations NCW

The Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline is a toxic project that, if built, would make it impossible for Canada to meet its climate commitments – and have global repercussions in the fight against climate change. According to Big Oil itself, one of the key factors limiting tar sands growth right now is the lack of new pipeline capacity. So stopping the new Trans Mountain pipeline – whose sole purpose is to enable the transport of more and more barrels of one of the dirtiest forms of oil in the world – is a no brainer for the environment.

By continuing to insure Trans Mountain, insurance companies are also ignoring the rights of the Indigenous peoples who have not consented to the pipeline. Trans Mountain has not obtained the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of impacted Indigenous communities.

And ultimately, pipelines and tankers just aren’t safe. The likelihood of an oil spill for nearby communities is estimated at 87% if this project were to go through. If that were to happen, it could push the 73 remaining southern resident killer whales along the coast of British Columbia into extinction.

What insurance company would want to be responsible for that? If we can flood company phone lines with messages reminding them just how risky this project really is, we could get them over the line and leave Trans Mountain in the lurch with only days to renew their coverage.

Please take two minutes to phone Trans Mountain’s biggest remaining insurers, and demand they drop this pipeline.

In the last few months, incredible momentum has been building in the fight to stop Trans Mountain. Just two weeks ago, 63 year old public health physician Dr. Tim Takaro climbed up a tree to stop Trans Mountain’s construction on a critical part of the route – and succeeded in delaying the pipeline for another month, and possibly a year. Each month that the project is stalled, more insurers decide that it’s not worth the risk, public opinion shifts further against the pipeline, and it becomes even more financially unviable for the government to support. The Stand.earth community has been in this fight for the long haul, and we’re ready to use every tool in our toolbox to stop this pipeline once and for all.

Since we started targeting insurance companies, tens of thousands of people have signed petitions, sent letters, bombarded companies on Twitter and donated to make Trans Mountain uninsurable. Last week we were able to deliver 150,000 signatures to the Vancouver, B.C. offices of Liberty Mutual and Chubb. And our pressure is working. Trans Mountain’s biggest insurer backed out last month. But we can’t stop yet. With only one week left for insurers to abandon the project, we must do everything we can to get our message through.

Will you use our easy tool to call company offices, and urge them to wipe their hands clean from this risky project once and for all?

With respect and determination,

Sven Biggs
Canadian Oil and Gas Programs Director
Stand.earth