Is it too late to avert climate catastrophe? The simple answer is - no! We can deal with our carbon problem today with solutions that already exist. We are beginning to see tangible signs of trouble - spreading infectious disease, melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, rapidly spreading drought and increased forest fires. We need to revaluate our lifestyle, before it's too late.
"Ironically, what we must do to avert the worst effects of climate change are mostly the same things we would do to build sustainable communities, improve environmental quality, build prosperous economies, and improve the prospects for our children."
Developing renewable sources of energy replace fossil-based energy is a big step we can take to combat climate change. Photo: David Dodge, The Pembina Institute
Shifting away from the carbon-based fossil fuels that cause global warming has different implications for different people and regions. Alberta's fossil fuel-based economy would continue to grow quickly, but not as quickly as if we proceeded without intending to shift away from fossil fuel dependency. Greening the economy could generate over 100,000 new jobs in Alberta by 2020. Subsidies for solar and wind energy installations will create more jobs in those industries. Tax credits to retrofit existing commercial buildings to be more energy efficient will create jobs in construction. There would be training for plumbers, builders and electricians in energy efficient equipment and methods. These new jobs would replace jobs that might be lost in the transition away from fossil fuel industries.
Dealing with global warming creates economic opportunity, and other countries are already starting to move on it while we delay. For example, China is working hard to be the world's leader in electric cars; Germany harnesses renewable energy generated by individual citizens through its successful implementation of feed-in tariffs; Spain is moving forward on solar energy; Denmark and Sweden lead in generating power from offshore wind farms; Iceland gets almost all of its electricity from renewable sources such as geothermal power plants. Delaying adopting renewable energy technologies on a broad scale puts Alberta in danger of missing the boat.
We already have effective and tested solutions that can reduce our contribution of heat-trapping gases. What we are lacking is the political will and support to put them into widespread action and bring them up to an appropriate scale. The world is moving towards clean energy technology and innovation, however, we continue to lag behind, doing business as usual. In Alberta, some businesses are already doing limited work on a small scale on new energy technologies but they are also waiting for, and looking to, all levels of government to set new standards and invest in the new approaches.
Many climate change solutions are based on proven technology that is already decades old. Photo: David Dodge, The Pembina Institute
Now is the time for all of us to act responsibly and pressure our elected officials to plan for the changes ahead of us, as well as those that are already happening. Some climate change policy solutions that would work in Canada include:
- Increasing the efficiency of new and existing buildings (example: revising provincial building codes)
- Prioritizing clean energy investment over dirty fossil fuel energy
- Putting a price on emissions (example: BC's carbon tax)[R3]
- Prioritizing active transportation and public transit over unsustainable transportation modes
- Establishing smart, green electricity grids
- Mandating sustainable, vibrant urban design practices
- Retooling facilities to manufacture green technologies
- Creating and implementing a national energy strategy, with a focus on low-impact renewables
- Ensuring that every Canadian can sell power to the grid via feed-in tariffs
- Supporting vulnerable communities in adapting to climate change
Cycling is both a means of recreation and transportation and is an important part of solving our climate challenges.
Using energy more efficiently is a critical part of solving our climate crisis. Using energy wisely means we we burn less coal, oil and gas. It is important that we build more energy-efficient houses, shopping malls, light bulbs, appliances, etc. Shifting our energy use dramatically reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and has the potential to create new habits and ways of living that are sustainable and do not threaten our quality of life or that of our children.
Addressing global warming provides an opportunity to build our economy while taking the lead in developing carbon-free energy. We can create a clean energy future fuelled by innovation, local job growth and environmental stewardship. Just as responsible homeowners would not wait until a snowstorm hit before fixing a hole in their roof, we should not wait for the worst effects of climate change to happen before we begin to act.
Why wait to act? This is what picking the right solutions means:
- Better health
- Global leadership
- Vibrant communities
- Economic opportunity
- Increased innovation
- Clean air
- Local food
- Water stewardship
- Community resilience
- Global equity
- Increased happiness
- A brighter future
In this guide:
