The town of Fernie in British Columbia’s Elk Valley, seen here, is a major global coal mining hub. (Photo by Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)
The town of Fernie in British Columbia’s Elk Valley, seen here, is a major global coal mining hub. (Photo by Nathaniel Herz/Northern Journal)

A few months ago, I was on vacation in Vancouver, riding a bike along the north shore of the city’s harbor. It’s Canada’s largest and a major port, with cranes and warehouses along the water’s edge and cargo vessels anchored offshore.

At a certain point, I took a look back toward the…