Once again, opinion is being presented as fact. An undeniable fact is that the global economy currently runs on oil and is forecast to do so until viable energy alternatives are economically feasible. Solar and wind are the two alternatives most widely touted, but they are not forecast to be truly viable for at least the medium term (15-20 years). There are also environmental effects to the use of alternative energy.
In Ontario there is currently a huge public backlash against the perceived environmental effects of wind farms (wind turbine syndrome). The production of large scale solar energy gathering systems requires extremely large amounts of energy and the use of large quantities of environmentally toxic materials.
Canada has large proven reserves of oil. We can either regulate, control and use its economic potential for our own benefit (such a funding infrastructure, health and education) or we can complain that life isn’t fair and pretend that Utopia is ours if we just swear off demon oil.
I agree that we need to wean society from over reliance on oil. Mine, however, is a purely pragmatic argument. Oil is a finite resource and has much greater potential than merely being consumed for energy. Alternatives must be realized. We must think carefully about our future. But we must do so from factually based knowledge of our present, not from hyperbole presented as fact. We can either use the benefits of oil production and distribution while we strive for alternatives, or we can live smaller, colder and darker lives wishing that things were different.
Jason Kitt
Sooke