What Earth Hour means to Albertans

Today marks the 17^th annual Earth Hour, a global initiative that sees individuals and organizations turn off their lights for one hour in a mass movement to bring awareness and consideration to our energy consumption. Originating in Sydney, Australia, in 2007, the inaugural Earth Hour saw 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses go dark. By the following year, Earth Hour was marked by upwards of 50 million people across 371 cities and towns around the world, and participation has only continued to increase in the years since.

Recently, I hosted a public forum on the topic of coal-fired electricity in Alberta, Coal-fired Alberta: Cheap energy or clean air? The panel discussion consisted of industry experts and concerned citizens from a variety of backgrounds, each speaking to the various health, environmental and economic implications related to the continued use of coal-fired energy plants in Alberta.

It comes as a surprise to many that today 65% of Alberta’s electrical power is generated through the burning of coal and that coal usage in Alberta is greater than that in the rest of Canada combined. In addition to the myriad environmental consequences, the health concerns related to our continued dependence on coal are staggering—for instance, diagnoses of Asthma and other respiratory ailments across the country have increased significantly over the past 30 years.

The oft-referenced “Think global, act local” will resonate deeply with many Albertans this evening. When you turn your lights out to observe Earth Hour, I ask you to truly consider what you’re contributing as individuals, communities and organizations. Earth Hour marks an opportunity to not only bring awareness to our global consumption of energy and what this means for our planet, but to consider locally where our electricity in comes from—the burning of coal—and the numerous health and environmental consequences this brings. We have a number of viable alternatives to coal in Alberta, including natural gas and a variety of renewable energy options. And there is a host of energy conservation methods we can employ to minimize our carbon footprint.

If you feel as strongly as I do about the need to reduce Alberta’s reliance on coal, I encourage you to take action by urging your MLA to reject the 5- to 10-year extension the government has given to many coal-fired energy plants in Alberta that have reached their end-of-life. This evening, when our lights are off, it may be that we see the repercussions of our action/inaction most clearly.

On Mr. Stelmach’s Response to the Visit of James Cameron

If this government had taken the environment seriously from the outset, Alberta would not be in the middle of an environmental PR battle and would not be straining credibility to prove that they are doing something for the environment. Unfortunately there has been a terrible lack of leadership, investment, and stewardship from this government.

Thankfully, industry leaders, on their own, have made great technological improvements in limiting their impacts on the environment. I hope that this meeting will encourage Stelmach to improve environmental monitoring and protection as well as showcase the advancements made by our industry.

Over the Top Activism? Maybe, but Perhaps it Will get us Moving

The Conservative government likes to talk the talk about economic diversification and sustainability, but when will we see any real action?

We need to strive for that balance of supporting the pillars of our current resource-based economy while at the same time transitioning to a more sustainable way of living. It is no easy task to reevaluate those aspects of our society which have become routine and comfortable but which are diminishing innovation and economic potential of current and future generations. Indeed, this transition will be difficult, especially in fragile economic times. For this reason, however, real action is more necessary than ever.

The actions and expressions of activists from around the province- even those actions which are unconventional and out of our comfort zone- might be the kick we need to change. These actions force us to ask: are we walking the talk? What active measures are we taking, as a concerned society, towards becoming more economically and environmentally sustainable?

Despite what other Alberta political parties might believe, we cannot wait passively in the hinterland and let the market achieve these sustainability objectives itself. We need a clear vision for a new economy based in energy efficiency, conservation, alternatives and renewable with incentives to level the playing field with carbon-based fuels. People who are taking action to become more sustainable, such as retrofitting their homes and exploring new transportation methods, should be encouraged. If the market doesn’t support these crucial social actions, governments must. Other provinces and countries are doing much more that Alberta. It’s time to show the leadership and gain a business advantage before it’s too late.

Response to the Schindler Report

The peer-reviewed research of David Schindler’s team at the National Academy of Science on environmental pollution from oil sands development reveals that the Stelmach administration has not done nearly enough to protect Alberta’s watersheds or the international reputation of our oil and gas sector. Contrary to his government’s prior claims, toxic contamination of the Athabasca River can’t be entirely blamed on nature; oil sands development, including toxic tailings ponds, is almost certainly responsible. Slick communications strategies aren’t enough – the Premier must take direct action now.

Protecting human health and our lakes, rivers and wildlife requires independent, more accurate monitoring and enforcement. That means equipment and qualified specialists on the ground, with the tools, funding and enforcement powers necessary to do the job. Disincentives for polluters must have real teeth to encourage responsible development and restore our international reputation. This government’s decision to cut our environment department by $17.5 million this year speaks volumes about its priorities and its irrational fixation on public relations at the expense of real solutions.

Albertans want to be proud of our oil sands development. We’re leading the way in providing energy to the world; now we need to take the next step, by leading the way in real environmental protection. Human health, the economy and the environment are inextricably linked, and would be the top priorities of a David Swann government.

Recent visit to Fort McMurray

After a rigorous two days of exploring heavy oil sites in Fort McMurray late last week with our Alberta Liberal Energy Critic, Dave Taylor, it’s clear to me that advances have been made by some in the heavy oil industry to reduce their water and energy use through innovative processes. I witnessed tremendous progress in the reduction of tailings ponds at the Suncor site, towards the goal of producing dry tailings. The industry representatives we met with at ConocoPhillips’ SAGD site demonstrated that they are making real efforts towards reducing their carbon emissions through corporate investment, due to changing government standards and global pressure.

This is good news, but both industry members and the Liberal party know that we can still do better in terms of reducing our industrial footprint. As signs of an economic resurgence are showing, it’s time to reassert our commitment to work with industry to learn from the past and foster innovation for the future. A responsible government will work constructively with the Alberta energy industry to ensure return on investment and good stewardship of the environment.

My time in Fort McMurray was also a reminder to me that industry accounts for 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, while consumption makes up the rest. Investment in infrastructure, like public transit, is crucial if we are to make strides towards slowing down our use of this non-renewable resource. We all share in the responsibility of reducing greenhouse gases.

David

To read what the press said about my visit, click HERE

Athabasca River Expedition: A Citizen’s Take on the Tarsands

Kirti Bhadresa wrote this upon arriving home from a meaningful first trip to the Oilsands.Â I encourage everyone you know who hasn’t been there to read this.Â As always, I welcome your thoughts.

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This weekend I learned that there is nothing in the world to be more grateful for than the clean dry socks hidden at the bottom of a mud-covered backpack, and that some really messed up things are going on that I don’t remember us consenting to. I’m not a scientist, or even scientifically-inclined. I know hardly anything about oil sands development, I definitely went in with a bias, and the things I know and observe are largely emotional. I don’t think that oil extraction is entirely wrong because I like my comforts too, but I think we need to do it carefully.

Here are few stats I did find though: the average age in Fort McMurray is 31. The average income is over $90,000 per year (twice the national average). 17% of the people are on drugs (compared to 2% in Calgary), and its mostly cocaine. 10 yellow pages of the phone book are dedicated to escorts, in a city of 60,000. It’s projected that1/3 of Alberta will be claimed by the oil sands in the near future. If these things are anything close to true, change needs to happen quickly.

When my friend Meghan invited me to join Pembina on the “Connecting the Drops” expedition I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve been wanting to see Fort McMurray and the oil sands development for some time. Plus, this was an opportunity to paddle down the river. Don Van Hout has been following the Athabasca from its source, with some company along the way, and a large group joining him for the journey through the sands as an awareness-raising journey. His dedication and spirit are amazing.

I started to get a sense of what was going on as we neared Fort Mac in the car from Calgary. It was past midnight by the time we got there, and eerie, with every stretch of highway in the area under construction. The roads are all being widened as the town readies itself for steady leaps in growth.

Our group trickled into our campsite on the outskirts of the city. The group of about 40 included environmentalists, people working in the oil industry, archeologists, a musician, ecologists, outdoor educators, travelers and students. We were even accompanied by a politician Dr. David Swann, the provincial environment critic. My first impression of the city of Fort McMurray came from the Tim Hortons the next morning; at that time of day the only women I saw were working behind the counter. I wondered how that imbalance affected the community, that overflow of testosterone. But I soon realized that community might not be the priority up here. There is no feeling of permanence, and the general impression is that the shops and restaurants are set up for convenience. Everything feels temporary.

Signs everywhere proudly nickname the city “Boomtown”. To me, there’s only one outcome at the end of a boom.

Fort McMurray is definitely booming. The signs are everywhere. The bottom of my car scrapes on the speed bumps that are designed for trucks. The trucks are mostly brand new and fancy. Then there are the drug problems, and evidence of that in the walk and talk of people throughout the city.

The first item on my agenda was to meet our group at a press conference for Connecting the Drops on the banks of the Athabasca. David Swann and Don spoke, as did Danielle from the Bow Riverkeepers.

Residents of a nearby reserve spoke about how they are affected by the development. An elder told us about the alarming rates of cancer, she spoke specifically of the children affected by the disease. She talked about the poor water quality. Even the flesh of the animals, including moose, has been determined too toxic to consume. Ironically, leaders of these reserves are also keen to start development on their lands too. For the money.

Our group gathered together on the rocky banks of the river. Many rocks turned out to be the tar sand pliable pieces of putty we broke apart to see the insides that were shiny with oil. They were beautiful. The next day we started our canoe trip. It was everything I could have hoped for as a mini-vacation. The Athabasca here is wide and gentle. We went through every weather condition: paddled hard against the wind, and lounged in the sun as the river carried us along easily.

At the end of the day we found a perfect sandbar to camp on: a narrow stretch of beach in the middle of the river. One side made an excellent swimming spot. As soon as we set up our tents, we jumped in. We lounged like we were at a resort club, played Frisbee, ate, read, as the sun set. After sunset we gathered in a circle around the fire.

It wasn’t until then that I started to notice a periodic “bang” off in the distance. And then, later, there was the beeping of trucks and the sounds of machinery. I didn’t realize that just over the cliffs at the rivers edge was the tar sands operations. The banging was the sound of cannons that were set off by motion around the tailing ponds (where the dirty water remaining after the oil is washed out of the sand is dumped). If birds or other wildlife were to rest on that water, its toxicity would do extreme damage. In fact, this water is so toxic there is nothing they can do with it. There is no efficient way to dispose of it.

I woke up first the next morning and watched the sun rise through the mist on the river, stunned by how gentle it was while we humans were so willing to just suck it dry for the sake of oil and money.

When we saw the sands from the canoe the next day I was awed, but not surprised. I’d seen those pictures before. Trucks and machines pushing dirt around in what looks like a wasteland. I wondered what doing that job every day, for long days, would do to your soul. There was a heaviness in our group. The sympathetic sky gave us a good dose of rain too. And we were lucky to see lots of wildlife from the banks: eagles, bears, moose. The sun came out later like a gift, and we paddled on steadily.

None of us were prepared for the sight of the Suncor processing plant, just visible as we made our way under the ironically named “Bridge to Nowhere”. The sound was loud and industrial like nothing I’ve heard before: beeping and clanging. The air was dense and even the water seemed thicker. There was still wildlife on the banks, but now I wanted to shoo it away. I couldn’t believe how close the operation is to the water. Most of us, including the long-time paddler I shared my canoe with, cried. But there was nothing to say. I thought of how Romeo Dallaire felt as he witnessed a genocide, knowing that he couldn’t stop it without the support of the world. It felt like war and destruction.

I thought, the things we are told about this are not true. This is not safe, or necessary. There is no need for this kind of destruction. And I am not okay with this. This is not the world I want to be a part of creating. None of this happened with my consent. And this damage is not being done by people who know what is right.

We grouped out canoes together and watched in silence for a long time. We carried on down the river. We spent another night at ourcampground, had a fire, laughed and talked. We made our way home, had showers and went back ordinary lives. But something, for me, is definitely changed. I need to be a part of making broader change happen. And I’m incredibly grateful that I was there with a group of strong, insightful people.

You can see my photos from the trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirti_b/

Unfortunately, they got loading in backwards so they start at the end of the trip, not the beginning.) And learn more about the rest of the expedition: www.connectingthedrops.caÂ Â

David Swann: Blog

Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.