Clean Energy Strategy a noble goal for Canada

Unquestionably clean energy should be something all of us should be striving for and is a noble goal for Canadians.  The question is how often have we heard that the environment was the number one issue for Canadians during elections?  When a politician was honest, proposed a solution, which required that Canadian cough up some money, those politicians were handily defeated.

Many Canadians live on a tight budget and many of them from payday to payday.  Every dollar counts.  A Harris-Decima poll commissioned by Clean Energy Canada at Tides Canada indicates that:

"The nation needs a Canadian climate and energy strategy to plan its energy future"

The poll, was conducted between July 4th and 8th by telephone, reached 1000 people.  The poll doesn't indicate if the poll was conducted nationwide, which would of course influence the outcome of the poll.

According to the poll 87% Canadian strongly or somewhat agree that we need a climate and energy strategy to plan our nation's future.  62 percent strongly or somewhat agree that an energy strategy will only be successful if we move to a low carbon economy, while 61 percent say it is a high priority to reduce fossil fuels. 73 percent believe that creating green energy jobs is a high priority, only 31 percent of Canadians believe that exporting more oil and gas is a high priority.  In contrast 80 percent believe improving energy efficiency is a high priority. 

Results of polls often depend on the question asked.  In this poll the question missing is, "How much are you prepared to move toward a clean energy strategy and improvements to fuel efficiency.  This should particular be a question that politicians should ask themselves before presenting a plan to the electorate.  As was also demonstrated in polls for the recent elections in Alberta and British Columbia,  polls can also be dead wrong.

Green Party Leader runs with the poll 

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament, ran with the poll in a blog published on August 12, "Canada is missing out on global clean tech revolution" stating that:

Canadians clearly embrace this kind of ambition. The most recent poll from Harris-Decima (conducted for the Clean Energy Project of Tides Foundation) demonstrated overwhelming support for clean, renewable energy. Nearly 90 per cent of Canadians agree with the statement: “The nation needs a Canadian climate and energy strategy to plan its energy future,” and more than 70 per cent support “creating more jobs in clean energy.” Less than one-third agree that “exporting more of Canada’s oil and gas resources” is a high priority.

The countries that are heavily invested in renewable may surprise those who associate China’s energy picture with nothing but dirty coal. In fact, China is the top performer in installed wind energy, producing 26 per cent of its electricity from wind. Next in the ranking is the U.S. at 19 per cent wind, and then Germany with 12 per cent. Canada stands at 2.2 per cent. We rank at a similar level in solar, with China once again in top place. Solar photovoltaic prices continue to drop contributing to an all time high in installed capacity in 2012.
We do not make the cut in the top 10: China, U.S., Germany, Japan, Italy, U.K., India, South Africa, Brazil, France.

The new buzz word in the green movement is "sustainable energy.  According to anti-oil sands lobbyists oil is evil and stopping the development of the Alberta oilsands will avert a global disaster.  The process has been politicized both in the United States and Canada.


Green energy, such as wind and solar, are not ready for prime time and affordable alternate energy is still a few years away.  Of course environmentalists will never discuss the real estate required for solar panel farms or wind turbines nor the fact that thousands of birds get killed by wind power.  Solar power is very expensive and for now can not sufficiently provide the energy required to run a household.  As an example, an Edmonton solar company is offering to rent solar panels to home owners.  The panels, which require an initial investment of about $1000 can only provide 18-30% of actual power required.  Home owners must remain on the grid.  The savings in energy costs are minimal.  The biggest part of an electricity bill in Alberta are the riders and fees and not the actual energy used.  The lease contract is long term.

Despite May's dismissal of China's coal produced energy, China is a much larger emitter of carbons.  Reuters reported in a June 19th report that China led a rise in global carbon dioxide emissions to a record high in 2012.  

Carbon Emitters of the World 

The politics of oil - Green energy alternatives 

Consumption is the real problem

Everyone talks a good story when it comes to reducing carbon emissions, yet we all seem to enjoy our creature comforts and continue with our consumption.  While many cities have efficient public transportation at a relatively low cost compared to an automobile, commuters prefer traveling in their own vehicle.  SUVs are seen in overwhelming numbers and our love for the automobile is never satisfied.  

Politicians, including Elizabeth May, travel across the country on many weekends as do environmentalists, contributing to the problem.  The author of "An inconvenient truth" Al Gore lives in a mansion and flies everywhere in a private jet.  

For most of us a green energy strategy is a bread and butter issue, while others are actually making money on it.  Yes we should strive toward clean energy, but without a cut in consumption and a significant drop in cost to replace current infrastructure, build wind and solar farms, this is an issue that has to be approached slowly.  Essentially we all need to do our part by reducing our consumption and we need those advocating to set the example.  My favourite statement still is:  "Talk is cheap, show me the money." 

Canadians strongly believe the country needs a climate and energy strategy that will help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy. An integrated approach to climate change and energy is strongly supported by Canadians, with 87 percent of those surveyed agreeing, “The nation needs a Canadian climate and energy strategy to plan its energy future.” - See more at: http://cleanenergycanada.org/2013/07/23/poll-canadians-want-energy-strategy-to-deliver-low-carbon-transition/#sthash.7mU0S2OE.dpuf

Canadians strongly believe the country needs a climate and energy strategy that will help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy. An integrated approach to climate change and energy is strongly supported by Canadians, with 87 percent of those surveyed agreeing, “The nation needs a Canadian climate and energy strategy to plan its energy future.” - See more at: http://cleanenergycanada.org/2013/07/23/poll-canadians-want-energy-strategy-to-deliver-low-carbon-transition/#sthash.7mU0S2OE.dpuf

Canadians strongly believe the country needs a climate and energy strategy that will help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy. An integrated approach to climate change and energy is strongly supported by Canadians, with 87 percent of those surveyed agreeing, “The nation needs a Canadian climate and energy strategy to plan its energy future.” - See more at: http://cleanenergycanada.org/2013/07/23/poll-canadians-want-energy-strategy-to-deliver-low-carbon-transition/#sthash.7mU0S2OE.dpuf

Canadians strongly believe the country needs a climate and energy strategy that will help Canada transition to a low-carbon economy. An integrated approach to climate change and energy is strongly supported by Canadians, with 87 percent of those surveyed agreeing, “The nation needs a Canadian climate and energy strategy to plan its energy future.” - See more at: http://cleanenergycanada.org/2013/07/23/poll-canadians-want-energy-strategy-to-deliver-low-carbon-transition/#sthash.7mU0S2OE.dpuf