Alberta Warns It Will Fight Limits on Economy
Author: anne | Date: February 20, 2007 | Please Comment!
CIBC World Markets has actually devised a carbon cap composite vulnerability index to give an indication of which sectors of the corporate landscape are most exposed to emission violations. “Coal-fired utilities top the list, given that they account for more than 70% of the country’s power-utility emissions but just 16% of the electricity produced. Oil sands are a close second, with any improvements in emission intensity overwhelmed by a surge in daily production.†That sounds kind of bleak for Alberta to me – and perhaps rightly so. The wealthiest province in Canada has failed to reinvest responsibly. I think your time might be better off spent for all Albertans getting on with effecting meaningful, positive change rather than traveling the province making meaningless, rhetorical speeches.
We all have a responsibility to leave this planet at least no worse than we found it. However, you are in an enviable personal position to effect significant and lasting positive change upon this planet. Please have the courage and conviction to do so. Your legacy will be so written and your great-grandchildren will thank you.
Cheers,
Bruce Cutayne, CA
12:40 pm on February 24th, 2007
Bruce – I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank-you for summarizing what many Albertans and Canadians from all sides of the political spectrum are feeling. I recently wrote a letter to Mr.Stelmach that I also wish to share. Unfortunately, it is not as well written or effective as your comments.
Dear Mr. Stelmach,
I recently heard your views regarding the environment in that because you were a farmer ‘..you were an environmentalist before it was fashionable’.
I am also a former Ukrainian farmer from Manitoba. My ancestors on both side required clean air, soil, & water to survive. As such, their survival ensured my survival – similar to your story. They also fought for their land, crops, & their fair share.
The oil & gas multi-nationals do not care about the people’s land, proceeding it merely as a temporary factory to meet shareholder objectives. We seem to accept this as it gives existing and new Albertans temporary employment. The top 9 international oil companies in terms of reserves are state owned, and as such can control the extent of production. However, they do not have shareholders (the people & investors) to hold them accountable. As market shareholders hold all international companies to the fire, we as land shareholders must ensure they are accountable aswell. The international companies that are digging up our land must be forced as with energy policies of the 1920s, 1970s, and 1980s. There is no reason why they should make profits of hundreds of billions of dollars, funnel it out of the country, & not reinvest in producing oil in a green & responsible manner. I will not discuss the green initiatives, as most oil & gas companies already know what is involved.
As a farmer, you must understand the connection between land, water, & air. Use your farmer & environmentalist roots and ensure your land, my land, our water, & our air is available today & tomorrow.
Thank-you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jeff Shewchuk,P.Eng.