A transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy has the potential to create a safer and healthier environment, less suffering from the ongoing effects of continued greenhouse gas emissions, and a stronger economy driven by the new jobs created.
The best choice for a “nation-building project” for Energy Minister Tim Hodgson to consider would be the development of a national east-west electricity grid, write Richard van der Jagt and Geoff Strong.
Canada needs a “nation-building project” that reduces carbon emissions, climate warming, and energy costs, while saving lives and creating jobs. If it done successfully, it could become a legacy with many benefits. We have witnessed an increasing number of wildfires in every province and territory, and each year seems to be worse than the last. This has caused a deterioration of air quality, which, if the trajectory continues unabated, will not sustain human life.
Moreover, Canada and other countries have been witnessing a steady rise in year-round temperatures leading to more heat-related human suffering, adverse health effects, deaths, more frequent and severe storms and wildfires, increased insurance claims, heat disasters, loss of ability to grow crops, and melting polar ice caps. The oceans are also warming markedly, all leading to an apocalyptic tipping point in the global climate, the point at which there is no turning back on a worrisome trajectory for the survival of humankind.
The July 29 decision by the International Court of Justice points out that states have a legal obligation to protect the planet from climate change, and that a “clean, healthy, and sustainable environment” is a human right. We face a stark choice of continuing to support the fossil fuel industry by building more pipelines and pouring money into wasteful false promises of carbon capture, or we can seriously tackle climate change. The warming climate has resulted in a national drought, which has reduced agricultural outputs and fueled the wildfires.
We are fortunate to have a prime minister who has the experience and knowledge to understand the climate problem, but to date he has concentrated solely on the unreasonable tariffs raised by United States President Donald Trump and their effects on our economy. The Liberal Party’s election platform originally included investments in clean energy, expansion of clean technologies, and increasing electric vehicle infrastructure with the possible restoration of a purchase incentive of up to $5,000 for electric vehicles. It also promised fast-tracking clean energy projects through co-operation with provinces, territories and Indigenous groups. The plan included a reduction in Canada’s reliance on the U.S., and development of a national east-west electricity grid to ensure affordable and clean Canadian electricity across the country. This would also strengthen Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, as some of the renewable energy development would be on their lands.
The fossil fuel industry attempts to manipulate politicians both provincially and federally into believing that their industry is most profitable for Canada. A 2023 Environmental Defence report states that the
fossil fuel industry organized at least 1,255 lobby meetings with the federal government. The industry continually targets its lobbying efforts at departments and ministers responsible for climate policy. This lobbying has led to a very short-sighted view held by those who stand to profit. Unfortunately, public health, quality of life and our economy stand to lose the most.
A combined approach by federal, provincial and municipal governments to escalate a transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy has the potential to create a safer and healthier environment, clean air, less suffering from the ongoing effects of continued greenhouse gas emissions, and a stronger economy driven by the new jobs created.
The government also has the opportunity to pass the Bill S-243, an Act to enact the Climate- Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, as sponsored by Independent Senator Rosa Galvez. If passed, it would encourage investment in renewable energy over and above other sources of energy, such as the fossil fuel industry. The best choice for a “nation building project” for Canadians is to build a national east-west electricity grid and develop renewable energy systems at small municipal scales right across the country linked to that grid to provide a secure energy system. Our lives depend on it.
Richard van der Jagt is a retired hematologist/oncologist with a longstanding research interest on the affects of the environment on health, and an adjunct professor of medicine at the University of Ottawa.
Geoff Strong is a client scientist, writer, and educator based in Duncan, B.C.
The Hill Times
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