Bear Flat Dispatch: Concerted effort needed to achieve net-zero

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Perhaps people have been saying this forever, but we do ‘live in interesting times.’  Lately, it seems that energy and where it will come from is top of mind for many.

Examples in the news lately are the high demand for electricity during the early January cold snap, the drought causing BC Hydro to import 1/5^th of their power in 2023, the upcoming BC Hydro call for additional power, and the BC announcement of $36 billion in infrastructure spending in the next 10 years. 

When all of that is stirred into the pot with ongoing efforts to combat climate change by moving away from fossil fuels, the public discussion gets ‘interesting.’

I have noticed a visceral disdain by some towards the switch from fossil fuels to electrification. What is striking to me is how some people seem to take great pleasure in pointing out alleged shortfalls in going electric and use that as a justification to stick to burning fossil fuels. I think that is where people should pause and take a sober look at the bigger picture.

Science has made it very clear that the biggest threat to mankind is climate change, and we are seeing the effects of that now. 

To avoid the worst impacts, we need to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by reducing the burning of fossil fuels. It is simple, yet we all realize how hard that is. 

Humans have been spoiled in the last 100 years on an energy burning spree with relatively cheap but dirty fossil fuels, but that simply must come to an end. Fortunately, we already have the technology to somewhat switch over to electrification for much of what we need to do. Is it perfect? No. Is there going to be hiccups along the way as we switch? Yes. Should that stop us from trying? No.  

So, can Canada and the world still make the necessary changes to achieve the net-zero emissions targets? A new report released last week from respected energy scientist David Hughes titled “Getting to Net-Zero in Canada” shows what is required to achieve that.  

Here is a sober snapshot of where we are right now:

“Canada is highly dependent on fossil fuels for both domestic energy supply and revenue from oil, gas and coal production. In 2022, fossil fuels supplied 77.4% of Canada’s end-use energy demand, and Canada exported production of 63% of its oil, 34% of its gas and 67% of its coal. The energy sector made up 8.9% of Canada’s overall GDP in 2022 but accounted for 21% of Saskatchewan, 30% of Newfoundland and Labrador and 31% of Alberta’s GDP.“

“On a per capita basis, Canadians consume 4.9 times as much energy as the world average and emit three times world average emissions. Although Canada’s electricity supply is more than 80% emissions free due to generation from hydro, nuclear, wind and solar, electricity made up only 17.6% of end-use energy demand in 2022.”

The report makes it clear how daunting the task at hand is and how it will require a concerted effort with all hands on deck to achieve. Living in Northeast BC, I am fully aware of the role fossil fuels play in our local economy and the everyday lives of residents. 

It is understandable that folks may feel threatened by the uncertainty of such a looming change in our economy. It is, therefore, very important that individuals and communities such as ours are not thrown under the bus in any organized switch away from fossil fuels, and I believe Canadians are willing to support us in that transition. 

With the current boom in gas and oilfield activity here in the Peace, I imagine that some who are reading this are thinking that I am nuts and that nothing is really going to change up here in the foreseeable future. They might be right on both counts. In this crazy and divisive world, it is hard to predict if mankind will pull together to step up to the challenge in an effective manner. I have my doubts but remain hopeful. 

While being realistic, I see two good reasons to remain optimistic. First, there are indeed a lot of positive steps taking place around the world to address climate change, and secondly, “losing” the fight against climate change is just too depressing to dwell on.