Given the recent record profits from companies in the Alberta tarsands, there is no reason they and our Alberta Government can't be investing in renewable energy research. Fortunately, Arab Emirates Princes are putting their money where there mouth is (see below).
They plan for Abu Dhabi's Masdar City to be powered entirely by renewable energy (Masdar is Arabic for 'source'). The United Arab Emirates are using their oil surpluses intelligently - investing in innovative sustainable technologies that'll lead the way for the next century. Meanwhile, in Alberta we're still talking about coal and pumping Carbon Dioxide under ground.
Take this for example - the Alberta Government is putting $2 billion into carbon capture project and asking the Feds to match them, on this 'green' initiative. I'm highly skeptical about it and here's why: given this concept is fairly new, scientists haven't had the time to test and analyze the broad implications. I mean, this could have major geological effects if not done properly. Until major geological events happen, we take it for granted that our technocrats can manage.
I've seen communities in rural Jamaica that have been completely flooded because mining companies displaced major water resources in order to create tailing ponds for their toxic garbage from the mines. They didn't thoroughly conduct their research and now certain communities have innocently found themselves turning into Atlantis.
My understanding is that carbon sequestration serves two major purposes in the Albertan context. First it reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - good. Second, when they pump it into the ground, they don't just pump it anywhere - they pump it into existing oil wells to help pump out hard to reach oil. Some scientists argue that once the oil is pumped out, the carbon dioxide comes out with, nullifying the net effect of the carbon capture. That's my concern. It has to be demonstrated first that this kind of this will not happen before Albertans subsidize this 2 billion dollar project.
In the big picture, carbon sequestration is less than green. I mean, it's motivations are two fold - carbon reduction and enhanced oil recovery. Let's get real - anyone can stamp a leaf sticker on a Hummer and call it green. Action speaks louder than words. A-O!
Going back across the pond, I'm very excited to see all the oil surpluses being invested in sustainable energy research and innovation in the Middle East. Didn't think I'd be saying this anytime soon, but way to go United Arab Emirates!
It's not too late for Alberta to still play a role in energy innovation. Instead of focusing the economy around a finite resource that'll eventually run out, major public surpluses and record private sector profits that have been accumulated over the past prosperous years could be invested into research and development and make Alberta known for more than its tarsands. With the talent and resources to make it happen, why wouldn't we? Let's take a page out of the United Arab Emirates play book for a change.
Related News Links:
Gulf Oil States Seeking a Lead in Clean Energy - Well aware of the limits of oil, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are aggressively pouring billions of dollars into green technologies. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/world/middleeast/13greengulf.html
An Enviro Utopia in the Abu Dhabi Desert - the first zero-carbon footprint settlement powered by solar panels: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1872646,00.html
The high cost of carbon capture - Everybody wants to curb emissions, but are consumers willing to pay the price?: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Technology/high+cost+carbon+capture/966049/story.html
A cautionary tale of carbon capture - Underground sequestration of greenhouse gases remains a challenge for Nobel-winning scientist: http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/business/story.html?id=d702b311-58c6-4320-ad34-95a231d69547
Scientists urge caution in CO2 capture schemes - Icy Southern seas may hold answers to climate, finance: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Technology/Scientists+urge+caution+capture+schemes/1077458/story.html
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