We have spent years fighting against intolerance, environmental catastrophes, apathy, and cultural expectations. If you choose to I believe we can steer the ship to everyone’s benefit. Allow me a few minutes to explain.
I suggest that we focus our energy on leading the adoption of renewable energy use in Canada for the following reasons:
- First Nations people often use and/or are labeled land/sea defenders, who better than to provide the example
- It is more effective to lead by example enabling people with superior approaches rather than advocating outright denial.
- Public and Private sectors in Canada collectively still have their heads stuck in the oil-sands, which is putting us further and further behind.
- Thousands of unemployed workers will be eager to learn.
The Oil & Gas industry in Canada is now dead, in short the cost of producing oil far outstrips its value; as of March 27, 2020[1] it was US$ 4.58 when the benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was US$ 21.51. As of today April 15, 2020 West Canadian Select[2] is US$ 4.71 and the widely watched WTI is US$ 20.00[3].
Provide jobs to people on the west coast in particular, because any bailout money given to oil-sands producers is the equivalent of welfare with an unfortunate side effect, “environmental degradation”. So as a sharp contrast offer them jobs.
It is very likely that the new sections of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline will never be used because of the fall in oil demand. While the probability of an environmental catastrophe is decreased; there is also a risk that the opportunity to turn British Columbia into an environmental example for the world will be squandered.
We are blessed to live in such a life giving environment and we would not have alter our way of life much for it to flourish once again. Yes I am referring to LOTS of JOB creation while restoring the health of the ocean[4].
Sincerely,
Rene Dansereau
[1] https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/canadian-heavy-oil-collapses-another-28-to-under-5-as-oilsands-face-shut-ins
[2] https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Western-Canadian-Select-Falls-Below-5.html
[3] https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Coronavirus-Has-Wiped-Out-A-Decade-Of-Oil-Demand-Growth.html
[4] https://new.abb.com/news/detail/60096/abb-brings-fuel-cell-technology-a-step-closer-to-powering-large-ships
