Crashing oil prices have sent ripples around the world and across our oil-producing nation. While drivers are glad to see decent prices at the pump, the numbers of locals dependent on good-paying jobs in Alberta’s oil patch will be facing real challenges. Our economy will take a hit when their jobs disappear.
Sadly the regions of the world that have put their energy ‘eggs’ into the fossil-fuel ‘baskets’ have only known the gut-wrenching roller-coaster ride of fluctuating prices, creating uncertain employment while threatening the very programs they support in those good years. When they are in full production the jobs they create often wreak havoc on families having to either move to a hastily erected boom-town, or else to say goodbye to hubby/daddy for 10 days or longer at a time.
Equally troubling, the number of jobs created per dollar invested in the fossil fuel industries is quite low.
But what are the options?
Thankfully there are many opportunities that generate a greater economic output, provide more good-paying jobs that are often local and are far better for the air we breathe and the water we drink. These industries don’t wield enormous power but are quietly improving our world.
In B.C., we already know part of the answer: renewable energy. While hydro-electric dams are far from perfect, they have created real economic stability, good paying jobs, mostly stable prices, clean air and water, as well as recreational areas.
Superior renewable energy projects can now be found in geothermal electrical plants and tidal, wind, solar and wave energy sources –most costing less per dollar invested than do dams, with less environmental damage.
But for the real economic powerhouses we can turn to energy efficiency measures such as robust public transportation, building upgrades, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, liveable cities, remanufacturing centres and more. Many countries turned to similar projects after the world wars because they created more jobs and improved our lives. Now that oil has crashed, it’s time to do this again, renewably.
Ian Gartshore is chairman of the non-profit Energy Solutions for Vancouver Island.
