Letter to the Former Right Honourable Prime Minister Paul Martin
By Louis L. Greniering former Acting-Director, Strategic Development for the Canadian Space Agency, from the Energy Politics Archives, Winter 2006.
This open letter to the former Right Honorable Prime Minister Paul Martin was written in 2006 and contains some sage advice relevant to policy makers today.
I would like to commend your recent efforts to address the World energy conundrum affecting the lives of every Canadians. I think that you are doing the first right steps but I am concerned at the same time that the fundamental issue is unfortunately not openly presented to Canadians for fear they will not understand or for fear of adverse reactions from the electorate...
I do believe that you need a national policy on both conventional and renewable energies to mitigate the impact of a potentially World Economic Crisis. We have the luxury in this country to be garnished with abundant resources still, our conventional oil production is not in decline like in most other countries. We should use these resources sparingly for the growth or stability of our economy in first priority; and secondly for the export market and trade. For that to happen, one needs a national policy that sets the direction for the benefit of generations to come.
You may be aware as well that few Heads of State have already acknowledged the end-of-the-oil-era. They are:
M. De Villepin, French PM
Quote:
"We have entered the post-oil era, I want to draw all the consequences of this and give a real impulse to energy savings and to the use of renewable energies." (1 September 2005)"
M. Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela
UN Speech Quote:
''Ladies and gentlemen, we are facing an unprecedented energy crisis in which an unstoppable increase of energy [consumption] is perilously reaching record highs, as well as the incapacity to increase oil supply and the perspective of a decline in the proven reserves of fuel worldwide. Oil is starting to become exhausted."
Finally, any leader of this country has two options in hand. To address the energy crisis when it is too late to mitigate with its dire consequences or to address it ahead of time with proper mitigation plans and policies similar what Mr. Robert Hirsch did for for the United States Department of Energy. I happen to believe that you are, among all Canadian political leaders, the person the best apt to make the right choices for Canadians perhaps, I hope, by first making Canadians aware of the problem. You have a tremendous opportunity to establish a strong legacy for this country and for future generations of Canadians who believe early in their upbringing in the values and institutions of our country.
Read more here.
De rien. and that's all I know. :)
Plus a change. Plus c'est la meme chose. Excuse any misspelled words. It's the thought that counts. :)