Oil companies have been up and down about investing more of their profits in green energy. Having made promises to do just that, recently they have backed off. The reason for the change of heart is simple. They make a lot more money investing in oil than they do in
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52 Ideas: Canada’s and Alberta’s Economic Future depends on our transition to Green Energy by 2035
“He also shared a few bold predictions. Investors, he said, would have to spend $400 billion to realize the Liberal plan, but there would be a net benefit to Canadians of $29 billion by 2050. He also put out on social media a claim by the Canadian Climate Institute that
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The greening of big oil
A headline in The New York Times caused me to do a double-take. The headline read “Shell, the Oil Giant, Will Sell Renewable Energy to Texans.” The term “renewable energy” nestled between “oil giant” and “Texans” seemed more than a little discordant. But all was in order. Shell is indeed
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: Oil workers at the centre—getting transition priorities right
“They will not be left behind.” So said Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan at a news conference this week. The “they” he was referring to are workers in the oil industry. “Workers,” he continued, “will be at the centre of a clean energy future.” If Canadians are to get onside
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: O Brave New World
I have reached the point in my life where whatever optimism about the future I might have once held has given way to a searing, even corrosive pessimism. Looking at the world as it is would seem to preclude any other position. And yet… There are still those among us
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Setting The Record Straight
If you watched Planet of The Humans, executive-produced by Michael Moore, like me you probably came away profoundly disillusioned. The film essentially says that the environmental movement and its advocacy for alternative energy sources is a house of cards and a big scam. From biomass to EV batteries to solar
Continue readingWe Pivot: WePivot Is Back!
It’s been a healthy hiatus. Over 3 years ago, after over 1,000 blog pieces since just after 9/11, I evolved Politics, Re-Spun into WePivot.net. I wrote about why. A couple years ago I hit pause on WePivot.net, with my last … [Read more]
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Yesterday Man
Those with undying affection for, and advocacy of, fossil fuels are indulging in a venal nostalgia for the way things were. They cling to past truths about price differentials that allegedly make green energy too costly. They continue to claim that green energy, if produced during the day via solar
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Piercing The Propaganda
It is indeed heartening to see so many young activists now regularly protesting the inertia that our political masters are mired in when it comes to climate change mitigation. If anyone has a right to feel outraged, it is the younger generation that will find life on our planet far
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Some Refreshing Leadership
Now that Canada’s plan to increase its greenhouse gas emissions and further threaten coastal waters has been dealt a massive blow by the Federal Court of Appeal, I suggest it is time to adopt an approach that embraces the future, not the past. Such an approach is to be found
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: What The Fossil Fuel Industry (And People Like Justin Trudeau) Want To Keep You In The Dark About
Methinks most of us can all use a bit of good news. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Is There A Fusion Reactor In Our Near-Future?
Because of our intractable and frequently selfish natures, humans look for the fabled deus ex machina to bail us out of our climate-change problems. Rather than alter our profligate habits, we pine for a technology that will save us from ourselves. Of course, that is a forlorn hope, given that
Continue readingWe Pivot: Horgan Insults Delgamuukw with the Site C Debacle
20 years ago yesterday came the Supreme Court’s Delgamuukw ruling, ensuring that this “Canada” recognizes pre-existing aboriginal sovereignty, especially in BC where virtually none of the land was ever ceded to the British Crown. This is a pathetic day for … [Read more]
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: What A Great Legacy
Jimmy Carter will not be remembered as one of the great U.S. presidents, but when his long life ends, he will be remembered for something much more meaningful: great humanitarian and environmentalist: Recommend this Post
Continue readingWe Pivot: Who’s Laughing at America [And Why]
When T$$$p says people are laughing at America, it’s because he thinks he is America. Here are some ways this is wrong, beyond the obvious. Read some of the King Arthur literature, stories of royalty and shit. The king is … [Read more]
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Energy Democracy
Sure, many will dismiss this as a Utopian socialist dream, especially given the neoliberal tenor of the times, but are there any other viable alternatives to global degradation and destruction? Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Energy Democracy
Sure, many will dismiss this as a Utopian socialist dream, especially given the neoliberal tenor of the times, but are there any other viable alternatives to global degradation and destruction? Recommend this Post
Continue readingWe Pivot: Psst, Wanna Stop Protecting the Environment?
On December 31, 2018, the US government will stop protecting the environment. If the Kill-the-EPA bill passes, the US government will certainly slow down protecting it until they blow out the EPA candle in 22.5 months. How is Congress doing … [Read more]
Continue readingWe Pivot: Another Nail in the Coffin of Carbon Energy
While Statoil hasn’t fully divested from carbon energy, every little/big drift away from more carbon energy gets us closer to the Post-Carbon Energy Infrastructure! As we pivot to a new, cleaner world despite Trump, Trudeau and BC’s carbon-loving Christy Clark, … [Read more]
Continue readingWe Pivot: Embrace Climate and Gender Optimism!
Welcome to the cusp of 2017. I can’t wait for 2016 to end: rough year. But as we pivot to a fresh new year with new challenges, let’s embrace climate and gender optimism when we can! Great climate news regarding … [Read more]
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