Albert Einstein once said “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” Of course the context of those words was a world in which humankind had first devised atomic weapons that could bring our species to the brink of extinction. While no less valid of a statement today, the current human created economic and environmental crises have me looking at the quote in a different way. In regards to climate change and its proposed solutions, I am much less appalled at the technological answers available than the barriers created by humanity’s reluctance of change and self-serving perceptions in judging the scope of urgency.
There is no better example in play today, in our part of the small spinning rock named Earth that is, of how human attitudes alone are postponing the implementation of renewable energy projects than the debate over the feasibility of a wind farm off of the Scarborough Bluffs. The Save the Toronto Bluffs (http://www.savethebluffs.ca/) is a well-organized community campaign against the idea of a wind power generation in the area and the installation of an anemometer. This device will simply test, for a period of a year, whether or not the most viable site that Toronto Hydro Corporation has available is suitable for an offshore wind farm of some 60, 30 story turbines. Arguments against the idea range from harmful health effects from noise and vibrations, that the turbines affect bird and insect migration, and the subjective bad aesthetics of a wind farm.
I do not want to minimize the important role of the democratic process in assessing health or economic risks. Nevertheless, in this case I cannot help but feel that rallying the troops around the idea that this proposed renewable energy project is negative before the facts on its practicality are known, is short sighted and the wrong approach at the wrong time. It is reflective of attitudes that do not see climate change as a burning issue which requires quick changes in the way we supply the energy that our lifestyles demand.
In timely coincidence, this issue is now at a peak level of community action just as the Ontario Green Energy Act (Bill 150) is being considered in committee. The executive summary of Bill 150 states that it aims to “make Ontario a global leader in the development of renewable energy, clean distributed energy and conservation – creating thousands of jobs, economic prosperity, energy security, and climate protection.” That sounds great and the applicable, if not late, response to the realities of the 21st century right?
The Save the Toronto Bluffs (STB) campaign has taken issue with some details of the act. Most interestingly, a large issue of contention is the length of time that should be taken to asses
Scarborough Bluffs
potential wind power projects (up to 3 years suggested by STB), as well as how long the window of opportunity is open to contest once the government has gone through due process and has decided on suitable renewable energy technology and/or location (STB is looking for 120 days where the act currently allows for 15). With the world changing into, as so many scientists now believe, another inhabitable collection of matter in space, why are people reluctant to at least try and find out what can be done to improve this situation?
By looking at how renewable energy projects that have evolved in Germany and Denmark over the last decade, we know that a change in mindset is possible. Denmark took their cues of paradigm shift early on during the oil crisis of 1973. Realizing that they could not rely on foreign energy reserves, Denmark invested heavily in wind power technologies over nuclear power and today is the world’s largest exporter of wind turbines. In addition to renewable energy infrastructure, many farmers in the country have taken upon themselves to establish renewable resources and supplement 20% of their energy needs on their own.
In Germany, Hermann Scheer, an MP who holds a PhD in economics, has championed the cause for renewable energy and the green economy for over a decade. Government subsidies to renewable energy in wind and solar projects have been very successful for the German economy and have created more jobs than any programme in the last 40 years. Since the year 2000, Germany has added 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity per year. To date, that is the equivalent of 12 coal or nuclear power plants.
Denmark and Germany seem to have realized that climate change is a problem that needs to be acted on now, with the technology available today; with a focus on how to continue to improve it not only for their own nations, but for the world as a whole. So why have Ontarians been so slow to respond to the opportunity to build a prosperous renewable energy future for the generations to come?
As someone who has grown up hearing about acid rain, ozone depletion and greenhouse gasses for as long as I can remember, it amazes me that the very environment that gives us life is often at a second rung of awareness to our embattled RRSPs and pension funds. There are those who sneered at Stephane Dion’s Green Shift, those who say that they think wind power “is a good idea but please don’t ruin our view”, and those that simply feel that we have more time than we actually do to deal with the issue of climate change. These people need to listen to voices that realise that we are in a situation that needs immediate attention. With ‘when’ no longer being an issue, one would think that we would eagerly look and try all viable possibilities ‘where’ we can, as quickly as possible, especially given that the ‘how’ is the last thing holding us back.
Individuals or groups interested in contributing to the final shape the Green Energy Act and related policies may be interested in the Green Energy Act Alliace (http://www.greenenergyact.ca
)
The Alliance will be hosting Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Hermann Scheer at Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto for a discussion on renewable energy Thursday, April 23rd.
Your article is a breath of fresh air compared to the usual rubbish I learn on solar technology. There’s a lot of frauds around. Thanks for helping me out.