Pull your heads out of the Oilsands!
(for an excellent visual representation see South Park Season 10 Episodes 3&4)[1]
I am currently writing a book, but considering the blockades, press, and internal conflict created in Canada by our unimaginative politicians[2], I took a break to write this. It is long past due that Canada transform its economy minimizing its reliance on its commodities, join the fight against climate change, and modernize our economy. I offer you a series of ideas that will minimize/possibly eliminate issues surrounding pipelines, improve our environment, improve our plummeting international reputation, and benefit the majority of Canadians; primarily at the expense of stakeholders in the Oil-sands.
These ideas are based on the following:
1. Fossil fuels are no longer an acceptable way of producing energy or motion
2. The population of the Earth will be 7.8 Billion people in 2020[3] and is very likely to continue to 9 Billion and beyond as things stand today[4]
3. “If the BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China) was to become as developed as the German economy in context of oil consumption, the BRIC economy 2018 oil consumption would have to expand by 254%. If the whole World was to become as developed as the 2018 German economy in context of oil consumption in 2018, the global oil consumption of 99.84 million barrels per day would have to expand by 117% and an extra 116.68 million barrels per day of oil would need to be brought to market.”[5]
4. Everyone is seeking to prosper and get the most out of life
5. We are all the same species
6. The planet’s atmosphere is based on the greenhouse effect whose natural processes have been altered by human activities creating the effects we call climate change[6]
Our adoption of new better, smarter, and cleaner technology is slow relative the speed that it is advancing. Our (future) political leaders should be sensitive to the above facts and be chosen on their ability to make decisions on behalf of all the people they represent, not just political donors or large shareholders.
At this juncture I would like to reiterate that as much as I dislike the effects of open pit heavy oil and bitumen production has on the planet; I do not advocate shutting an immediate halt to production. I have been unemployed several times and am very sensitive to its effects. The best way to transition to a better future for everyone is to recognize a better path and change their habits accordingly.
While it is of paramount importance to make this transition; it would be most advantageous to do so with people’s standard of living in mind. How can this be accomplished?
Refrain from the impulse to default to the tried and true formula of; Expanding fossil fuel production = higher standard of living. Create a new motto, energy production + improving environmental conditions = benefits everyone [young, old, existing, and those to come]. In Canada this means rejecting the impulse to heed thoughtless, opportunistic, bullies, such as Jason Kenney[7] and the ease of environmental exploitation.
What alternatives do we have right now?
Societal funds should be used to support growing industries such as wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal, and cutting edge technologies etc. A crown corporation should be created with a focus of promoting the well-being of Canadians and the world through its activities.
Several examples include:
· The elimination of diesel energy production in the arctic — conduct a study to explore the best current methods of doing so- act on the recommendations
· Increase the scale of electric production either through new facilities or conversion of old production plants.
· Increase the amount of electric car charging infra-structure
· Subsidize these growing industries, possibly at the expense of the fossil fuel industry — for example hiking taxes on gasoline to pay for charging infrastructure, or hiking the insurance rates on fossil fuel burning cars directly decreasing the rates of electric car users. (possibly on a sliding scale, the more pollution the car creates the higher the insurance rate)
· Plan out and execute a sensible hydrogen strategy — for example, build a hydrogen production plant that uses green energy all while creating demand by tasking municipalities with the conversion of their transit fleets to use hydrogen fuel cells
· Explore the economics of converting all national marine vessels to another propulsion type, solar electric make sense to me, given this will eliminate air and noise pollution while eliminating the need to refuel.
And with an eye to the future
· Create additional grade school courses designed to introduce and create interest in the various methods of energy production
· Commission plans to be drawn up for a hotel on the Moon (how many people do you know have the capacity and would pay for a safe holiday on the moon? Given the popularity of Star Trek, Star Wars, etc. I bet there are thousands possibly millions of people who pay for such an experience.
· Create a plan similar to the one used for the ISS (International Space Station) involving all who wish to participate and have the capacity to do so — when accomplished execute
· Build a spaceport in an open pit oil-sands mine — Why there you ask?
§ The land is already effectively destroyed we may as well use it
§ All the infrastructure needed to accomplish such a task already exists there
§ Assuming aboriginal consent, population density is low, the construction and use of such a facility should proceed unhindered.
North America and likely many other jurisdictions suffer from a lack of long term planning and focus; reflecting the four year electoral cycle of our democratic systems. If we work together we can transform our economy, improve our environment, actively join the battle against climate change, and ensure a high (likely higher) standard of living for the majority of Canadians.
Addendum
At the start I mentioned pipelines, a political minefield in Canada seemingly destined to be bungled by all who try to negotiate it.
At stake:
· Lots of jobs in the short term
· further environmental degradation
· increased risk of an environmental spill
· one or two projects
· short term boost in GDP (during construction years)
· currently funded by Canadian taxpayers
the Alternatives that I mentioned:
· Lots of jobs, both long and short term
· Improves our environment
· Decreased risk of an environmental spill
· Many different projects
· Potentially a short and long term boost in GDP (time dependent)
· Vastly improves our ability to export energy albeit still primarily to the US
· Open the door to accessing the resources available in the Universe
· Funded by Canadian taxpayers with a heavier burden on polluters
The costs of the Trans-mountain pipeline expansion has ballooned to C$ 12.6 Billion[8] likely all on the bet that China will buy our dirty oil. There is a high probability that we will be able to sell it to someone in the short term but there is no guarantee as recent events highlight, the shuttering of Chinese factories[9].
How many millions, possibly billions of Canadian taxpayers dollars were wasted by the Alberta and Federal governments:
1. Were used to buy Landholder’s consent along the pipelines routes?
2. Were wasted trying to convince Canadians that their initiatives were a good idea?
Imagine if that money was applied to the ventures I mentioned.
Imagine converting the trans-mountain pipeline to carry natural gas or hydrogen for export.
I am sorry forget I mentioned it, the majority of Canadians still have their heads stuck in the oilsands and they are responsible for the leaders they have elected.
[1] http://poovee.net/video/53522/south-park-season-10-episode-3-uncensored-english-/
[2] https://www.visualcapitalist.com/world-most-innovative-economies/
[3] https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-by-year/
[4] https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_global_population_growth_box_by_box?language=en#t-187093
[5] https://tupa.gtk.fi/raportti/arkisto/70_2019.pdf
[6] https://www.livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html
[7] https://nationalpost.com/news/jason-kenney-says-hell-follow-trudeaus-trans-mountain-example-by-having-government-back-oil-projects
[8] https://globalnews.ca/news/6521398/trans-mountain-pipeline-expansion-new-cost-estimate/
