Editor:

Earth Week is April 20-27.

The Earth Day movement arose 55 years ago as a grassroots organization for stewardship of the planet by pushing government and corporations to make decisions which protect our air, oceans, forests, soil, wildlife and human health. This year, its call is for harnessing renewable energy.

In 2024, global clean energy reached 40 per cent. In the U.S., solar will soon be the second largest source of energy generation, and Texas – the oil state – leads America in wind energy. Uruguay transitioned from dependence on oil imports to 98 per cent renewables. Finland’s energy is 95 per cent fossil fuel-free.

And Canada? Currently, about 17 per cent of energy needs are met by renewables. Of the provinces, Alberta has the most wind energy production, and is second in solar energy production. But about 75 per cent of Canada’s energy comes from burning fossil fuels, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), which drive climate change.

Renewable energy is clean energy. Less air pollution will lessen lung and heart diseases. Decreased GHGs will decrease the health risks of climate change, like floods, wildfires, heat domes, and infectious diseases. Water quality will improve. So will mental health, with less stress caused by magnified environmental disasters, pollution, and uncertainty about our future. Better health and lower health costs will follow.  

Renewable energy provides economic opportunities. Global investment in clean energy is expected to exceed US$3 trillion in 2025, creating millions of new permanent jobs. Jobs in solar will soon eclipse oil production jobs for the first time in history.

To support Canada’s transition to renewable energy, the most powerful step you can take as a citizen is to vote. Learn about the parties’ energy platforms (e.g. newsinteractives.cbc.ca), choose the candidate who endorses the policies you believe will assure Canada’s best energy future, then cast your ballot by April 28. 

Suzanne Perkins, 

Canmore