Editorial appeared in Fort McMurray Today Oct. 13, 2006
Syncrude Canada and Suncor Energy in the top 10 of companies across Canada contributing to greenhouse gas emissions?
That makes sense.
But what does it really mean?
Let's suppose you were an average Canadian living in Ajax, Ont., or Truro, N.S., and you were called by a researcher seeking opinions on the subject.
Given the facts collected about the tens of thousands of tonnes put into the atmosphere by the Ontario Power Generation utility, TransAlta and Sask Power, the reaction would likely be one of alarm.
Fort McMurray's two leading oilsands companies are also on the list at No. 6 and 7, and in light of the poor nationwide press this region has received to date, some may turn thumbs down in our direction, too.
That's the immediate reaction.
But if you tell the same people the power to their homes would be cut without coal-fired electric generation and gas stations closed with no crude oil flowing into refineries, the answer would be completely different.
People want electricity. They want gasoline. They want to leave lights on all night and drive SUVs.
The fight to cut greenhouse gas emissions is an honourable one. While the vast majority of scientists argue it's a real concern, even the few dissenting voices must admit that doing nothing -- in case they're wrong -- is too dangerous.
It doesn't make sense to change the Earth's ecosystem on a huge scale, lest we make our environment uninhabitable.
If that's being too cautious, tough.
Suncor, almost alone in the oilpatch, has it right.
Officials there know something must be done other than complaining about coming legislation.
Surprisingly, the federal government seems poised to enact a tough set of regulations. Next week, we're told, the new green plan will finally be unveiled. Already, some are blasting away at it, but they're shooting blind at a target in the dark. They don't know where it is, or how big the target is.
The fact that some industries are unhappy bodes well for the plan.
Wood Buffalo MLA and Alberta Environment Minister Guy Boutilier is holding judgment, but he's a realist, too. While Boutilier may not always please the environmentalists with his drive to cut emissions with the help of advanced technology, he's not pleasing industry, either.
The federal Tories, once thought hostile to any new limits on emissions, may surprise us.
That would be welcome.
Meaningful change won't work by cracking down on industry alone. Every Canadian must do his or her part.
Syncrude and Suncor won't produce the oil if there's no market for it.
That's where the feds can do some good with laws and regulations.
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
Syncrude Canada and Suncor Energy in the top 10 of companies across Canada contributing to greenhouse gas emissions?
That makes sense.
But what does it really mean?
Let's suppose you were an average Canadian living in Ajax, Ont., or Truro, N.S., and you were called by a researcher seeking opinions on the subject.
Given the facts collected about the tens of thousands of tonnes put into the atmosphere by the Ontario Power Generation utility, TransAlta and Sask Power, the reaction would likely be one of alarm.
Fort McMurray's two leading oilsands companies are also on the list at No. 6 and 7, and in light of the poor nationwide press this region has received to date, some may turn thumbs down in our direction, too.
That's the immediate reaction.
But if you tell the same people the power to their homes would be cut without coal-fired electric generation and gas stations closed with no crude oil flowing into refineries, the answer would be completely different.
People want electricity. They want gasoline. They want to leave lights on all night and drive SUVs.
The fight to cut greenhouse gas emissions is an honourable one. While the vast majority of scientists argue it's a real concern, even the few dissenting voices must admit that doing nothing -- in case they're wrong -- is too dangerous.
It doesn't make sense to change the Earth's ecosystem on a huge scale, lest we make our environment uninhabitable.
If that's being too cautious, tough.
Suncor, almost alone in the oilpatch, has it right.
Officials there know something must be done other than complaining about coming legislation.
Surprisingly, the federal government seems poised to enact a tough set of regulations. Next week, we're told, the new green plan will finally be unveiled. Already, some are blasting away at it, but they're shooting blind at a target in the dark. They don't know where it is, or how big the target is.
The fact that some industries are unhappy bodes well for the plan.
Wood Buffalo MLA and Alberta Environment Minister Guy Boutilier is holding judgment, but he's a realist, too. While Boutilier may not always please the environmentalists with his drive to cut emissions with the help of advanced technology, he's not pleasing industry, either.
The federal Tories, once thought hostile to any new limits on emissions, may surprise us.
That would be welcome.
Meaningful change won't work by cracking down on industry alone. Every Canadian must do his or her part.
Syncrude and Suncor won't produce the oil if there's no market for it.
That's where the feds can do some good with laws and regulations.
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
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