Climate Change Concerns: Will we ever be rid of coal?

[“The Liberal government had promised to shut down all Ontario coal plants by 2007, but pushed that back to 2014. Two of Ontario’s remaining coal-fired units are to close this year.” April 15, London Free Press]

Ontario is having trouble closing down coal-fired (energy producing) units as promised.

Those Ontarians concerned with rising carbon emissions and average global temperatures will not appreciate the government’s ‘shut down’ record.


And though Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid recently announced that there has been a 90% drop in provincial coal use (During his term? Since the beginning of time? The announcement is unclear.), the transition to sustainable clean energy cannot come fast enough for those interested in clean air, lower emissions, fewer climate change concerns.

What is blocking the transition? Could it be...

the high price of alternative energy?

consumers’ resistance toward alternative, more expensive energy?

that coal is so much cheaper than, for example, solar panels?

good money can be made selling cheap (coal-fired) energy to the US?

the rise in energy consumption by home owners and industry?

And more?

While we wait for governments to slowly, gradually close coal-fired plants (it may take forever), perhaps more emphasis should be placed on reducing carbon emissions and the warming temperature trend through energy conservation.


For example, hydro companies could take bold steps in this regard when sharing information about heating and cooling your home.

At present, Milton Hydro says the following:

“The largest portion of most hydro bills is attributed to controlling temperature. An energy efficient heating and cooling system can significantly contribute to savings on your hydro bill and may improve the comfort in your home. When shopping for a new heating or cooling system, be sure to take into consideration the equipment costs, costs of fuel, fuel delivery, warranties and any predictable maintenance costs over the life of the equipment.”
(miltonhydro.com)

Perhaps people could still be encouraged to purchase energy efficient heating systems but do without cooling systems in their homes.


["Fewer single homes. More doubles": photo GH]

Perhaps hydro companies could encourage people to buy smaller homes (“My gosh, folks. They’re cheaper to heat!”) or live in shared living quarters (semi-detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, sixplexes, apartments, etc., rather than single-family homes.

Hydro won’t get cheaper. Perhaps our lifestyle can. Perhaps then carbon emissions will decrease and global temperatures will become more stable.

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Live small and prosper.

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