The issue of EVs, as discussed in this video, is just one example of why “green energy” is not a panacea (paywall).
Solar panels and wind energy – often considered alternatives to fossil fuels – have significant environmental impacts thanks not only to their actual footprint, but the energy used (including fossil fuels) and the environmental damage sustained from mining their component parts, manufacturing and transporting them, and ultimately disposing of them.
In the final analysis every one of us has an environmental impact no matter how environmentally conscientious we may try to be – which is why our government’s active pursuit of population growth, which seems to be guided by the Century Initiative’s proposal for a Canadian population of 100 million by 2100, can be viewed as anti-environmental.
Furthermore, this isn’t new information: In 1976, the Science Council of Canada (a governmental advisory board created in 1966 and disbanded in 1993) produced a report called Population, Technology and Resources (unfortunately not available online).
In its introduction the authors write:
“The Report draws attention to the way a rapidly growing population would exacerbate the stresses caused by existing patterns of production and consumption. It notes the probability of greatly increased pressures on Canada’s urban areas, transportation systems and related social and political institutions.Uncertainty about the extent of non-renewable – especially energy – resources is noted, and the potentially adverse effects of climatic fluctuation on Canada’s renewable resource base is considered.”
The report addressed the fact that Canada cannot possibly solve the world overpopulation problem with an immigration policy, and looked at the conflict over land that would arise between agricultural use and development, the problem of future energy supplies, and the fact that Canada has been among the most energy-intensive countries in the world. The report was very clear about the fact that Canada’s resources were not only finite, but under pressure.
This advice from 1976 is all the more relevant today. Would that our government would heed it. |
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