FFWD Weekly
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City by Mark Sproxton Passion for the environment oozes from every one of David Suzuki's pores. Whether he's explaining the science behind arthritis, or examining the impact of pesticides on streams and rivers, Canada's most prominent environmental scientist makes his point abundantly clear, even more so when discussing alternative energy. "Denmark has 15,000 people working in wind power," he says from a hotel room in Toronto. "Canada is nowhere near that. The second largest wind farm is in India for Christ's sake." Constantly encouraging Canadians to think about the impact of their consumer-filled lives on the atmosphere and terra firma, Suzuki's indignation makes sense. "Promises have been made by governments for years," he says. "In 1988 a major international conference on the atmosphere was held in Toronto where there was serious concern about global warming and a call for a 20-per-cent-reduction in emissions. The next year I interviewed (a top-ranking federal environment official) who was saying, 'We've got to do something now.'" Suzuki’s list of government promises continues for five minutes. "In 1997, half the Nobel Prize winners said, 'We have to act now.' What I'm saying is, scientists have been gathering more and more evidence of global warming, but nothing's being done." As sure signs there are atmospheric problems, Suzuki points to the unusual weather Canada, and other regions of the world have, and are, coming up against. Methane produced from the oil and gas industry, cattle and rice farming, along with the burning of fossil fuels, like coal and gasoline, which produce carbon dioxide, all contribute to global warming. As these gasses are produced, they are trapped and heated in our atmosphere causing the planet's temperatures to rise. Live trees help to act as a moderator by removing carbon dioxide from the air. But continued deforestation for commercial enterprises limit this benefit. And if we continue to burn and consume energy as we are, he says the results will be catastrophic. Alberta's politicians and business elite seemingly ignore those opinions, but Suzuki sticks to his guns. "The thing that infuriates me is in Alberta you saw the effect of global warming in all the grass fires a few summers ago. What the hell do they think that's about? That's a direct result of global warming." Alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power must increase in prominence before more, and irreparable, damage is done, he adds. Suzuki explains the small number of windmills generating power near Pincher Creek is a start, but far from sufficient. (Calgarians can choose to buy power through Enmax from two wind turbines installed last November.) "I don't think we've even begun to look at the alternatives. Solar energy is definitely an option on the prairies, but we need some incentives." The Alberta government, however, has shown a slight interest in alternative energy. The province established the Southwest Alberta Renewable Energy Initiative which was, among other directives, set up to help alternative energy producers get their product to market. The program operated from 1988 to 1994 during which six commercial sites were established. A current change to deregulate the electrical generation industry by 2001 is also supposed to open the door for wind, solar and other alternative energy producing companies, according to government documents. But the regulations required to make deregulation work are far from complete, leaving the industry clouded by uncertainty, a deterrent to investment by any big, or small, energy producers. That said, the province's energy and environment ministers, Steve West and Ty Lund, emerged from the December 1997 Kyoto conference on greenhouse gas emissions saying: "Canada has given up too much." The ministers said the deal signed by Ottawa forces industrialized countries to absorb the costs of cutting emissions, while not ensuring developing countries follow the same rules. The Kyoto protocol calls for a six per cent cut in emission levels below 1990 levels by 2010. "If you're trying to compete in a new energy sector (in Alberta), you're competing against the government, and the oil and gas industry which get all kinds of subsidies," Suzuki says. "I know the business and government sectors thinks it's all about oil and gas, but the public is much more aware of the need for change." But not all petroleum companies are entirely evil, he adds. "Shell and British Petroleum have both said global warming is very serious and have committed millions into research. It's all about energy – what difference does it make what kind? The oil and gas will eventually run out and this raises the (issue) that we'll have to turn the corner. These guys already looking at renewable energy will be farther ahead." Proving there's potential beyond current energy production practices will bring Suzuki to Calgary April 7 as part of an exhibition on alternative energy at the Boyce Theatre (Stampede Park) beginning at 6 p.m. The "modest" exhibition will feature exhibits and demonstrations of solar and wind generation, and Toyota's new Prius vehicle that runs on a combination of gas and battery power. The National Film Board of Canada's new documentary, Turning Down the Heat: The New Energy Revolution, will also be shown as part of the exhibition. And if you're planning to attend by using a sport utility vehicle as transportation, don't tell Suzuki, regardless of how many newspapers, bottles, or cans you recycle. After years of dedication to fuel efficiency by the automotive industry, consumers are taking steps backwards, he says. "Now we have (millions) being spent on sport utility vehicles and we're going the other way," Suzuki says, indignation seeping from every syllable. "Sport utilities are treated like trucks, not cars, so fuel efficiency goes down." Tickets to the exhibition are free and can be picked up at any Good Earth Café, Mountain Equipment Co-op, or at the door. Seating is limited.

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