We have to meet the challenges of our climate crisis. At the same time we have to provide for future generations.
B.C. can no longer rely on dirty power. We depend too much on old-fashioned gas-fired generating plants like Burrard Thermal. In addition, about 15 per cent of our electricity comes from coal-fired, gas-fired and nuclear sources in Alberta and Washington state. By using these outmoded, polluting power sources, B.C. is responsible for over 3,260,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. That’s equivalent to over 592,500 average passenger vehicles on the road for a year.
At the same time, demand rises as our population grows. Even if we conserve 10 per cent of our overall consumption, BC Hydro predicts electricity demand will grow up to 45 per cent over the next 20 years.
That will mean more greenhouse gases and more global warming, with devastating effects on our planet.
And as other regions increase their energy needs, we’ll pay a premium for a dwindling supply of imported power.
Population pressure and the climate crisis call for new responses. A wide range of renewable energy sources offers tremendous potential not only for our environment but also for job growth. But given our climate and geography, some of B.C.’s greatest potential lies in approaches that are anything but new.
Green energy sources such as wind power and run-of-river hydro have long proven themselves in Europe. Other countries are also leading the way in geothermal, wave and tidal energy, among other sources of electricity. We can learn from the experience of those countries and follow their example.
B.C. has to become self-sufficient in electricity — clean and renewable electricity. We owe it to future generations.