Re: “Turn Centennial Square into a ­world-class park with sequoia, fountain,” column, April 20.

I rarely go to downtown Victoria anymore, but I had cause to drive into town last week. And there it was, this massive, noble, isolated tree guarding its end of the city.

How on earth could anyone think it would be a good idea to cut it down?

No. The sequoia is a treasure. Stalwart … but lonely.

Gene Miller is on the right track. Imagine a park full of living things, a feast for the eyes and the heart, a positive statement toward a renewed environment. Why not? Seems to me we all agree a splash park is the last thing anyone would want — or use — in Centennial Square.

Bring in the bulldozers, sure — to create a garden. Enhance the land around the noble sequoia. Make me, and many others I’m sure, glad to come into town again.

Elizabeth Carson

Saanich

A few of the letters posted on April 20 take issue with former premier Gordon Campbell’s message. Unfortunately, they missed the point entirely.

While Canada maintains a decent overall economic position within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — we rank ninth among OECD countries by nominal gross domestic product — our recent and projected per capita growth rates indicate challenges in productivity and living standards compared with our peers.

Furthermore, some letter writers make assumptions, including one who suggests other countries are rapidly switching to renewable technology for energy.

Let me be clear: in 2024, China burned more coal than it has in any previous year. While it also added renewables such as hydroelectricity primarily, along with some wind and solar to the mix, that does not change the reality that it ­consumed more energy in 2024 than it ever........

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