The Commerce Times

Renewable Energy; Renewable Climate

The Hon. Bob Rae, the M.P. for Toronto Centre along with Deputy Premier; the Hon. George Smitherman; Melinda Rooke, current chair of UNATCO Canada; and John Paul Morgan, founder and Chief Technology Officer of Morgan Solar, all gathered at Oakham Lounge on November 28, 2009 for a Climate Change Caucus.

“Sarah Palin has invested more in renewable energy in Alaska than all of Canada combined,” Rae stated in his call to action to ensure Canada does not fall behind in what he dubs the “Third Industrial Revolution.”

While climate change was certainly the focus, emphasis was placed on the urgency to catch up to leaders in green technology like Germany, Denmark and even India.

Kristopher Stephens, executive director of the Ontario SEA, moderated the panel. The caucus discussed the challenges needing immediate action:v a sustainable alternative energy system and the trade-off between a carbon tax and a cap-and trade system.

Rae believes we are getting there and that great strides have been made scientifically and politically. “Citizen engagement has been all the difference,” Rae said. “We wouldn’t be as far along as we are [without it].”

“We need to address a sense of defensiveness from a standpoint of how addressing climate change will impact me and my family and my community,” Smitherman added. “It has made many people resist considering change because of what that would mean for them economically.”

Addressing the issue of a sustainable alternative energy system, Morgan suggested a feed-in tariff, introduce a smart grid and interestingly, increase the amount of natural gas powered generators.

“Wind and solar power can be capricious,” Morgan said. “Natural gas powered generators can power up in a moments notice, thus gas would be a reliable secondary power source.” He reiterated that gas should only be used to complement wind and solar, which would still be a better alternative to coal and nuclear.

“Relative pricing is key,” commented Rae. “If the price is not right, there will be consumer resistance.”

Rae believes that a cap-and-trade system would also be more effective over a carbon tax. While the United States has already made inroads with a cap-and-trade system and working with them would be beneficial “Canada should be ahead,” Rae said, “We should be a leader in this.”

“I don’t know which of those solutions is going to be better,” added Smitherman. “The implementation of this is quite revolutionary, but pricing carbon in one form or another is going to lead to solutions and be more practical than they have been in the past.”

In closing, Stephens summarized the importance of ensuring a trade-off between the economy and environment does not occur, rather ensuring that the two remain interlinked.

“We need to really see where things are going from a holistic perspective,” commented Stephens. “The Green Energy Act really helps give us the chance to take up this challenge.”