The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy

The reason this question has to be answered is simple, Canada sits at a very important junction in its evolution; does it continue to push forward to become an energy superpower or does it let the environmental conversation win, pushing forward instead with a clean energy agenda? This essay will hopefully drive this conversation forward.

In 2007, Canada’s industries saved 2.1 billion U.S. dollars of energy costs (2007). All these numbers show Canada’s efforts in general public utilities.

Canada has the potential to be a “sustainable energy superpower” due to the vast amount of resources it contains. It has a large landmass and diversified geography which can be used to produce renewable energy from such resources; watermill, wind, biomass, solar, geothermal, and ocean energy. Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural resources that are able to be naturally replenished within a human lifespan (Natural Resource Canada, 2014). Currently, fossil fuel burning is the major source of energy in Canada and although it can be re-used, the process is so long that it is considered to be non-renewable. Also, fossil fuel burning for coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas pollutes the environment with greenhouse gases on a large scale, causing global warming. Non-renewable energy is taken from sources that re available on Earth in limited quantity, likely vanishing within fifty to sixty years from today (Conserve Energy Future, 2014). Thus, it is important for Canada to invest their money on resorting to more environmentally friendly and renewable ways to make electricity. Being a developed country, Canada has the financial stability to purchase the technologies over time in order to produce renewable energy. In addition, many organizations and the government have taken a step to educate the society about issues regarding energy usage, and to create programs which conserve energy for the future. In the future generations, Canada will be able to generate sufficient

The objective of this paper is twofold. First, we introduce the modern condition of Canada’s energy consumption and the economic benefits. Second, we define and analyze the projections of Canada’s future with respect to the renewable energy frontier. The demand for Energy across the globe has drastically increased since the Industrial revolution. From coal to steam, all the way to electricity and nuclear energy, modern economies and industries rely on sustainable sources of energy to produce their desired output levels (Zelby 2002). Ontario, and Canada in general are on the frontier of energy production and sustainability with regards to smart grid technologies and so forth (Ontario Energy Plan). Canada specializes in many of the

"Renewable energy is generally defined as energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale" (Wikipedia). Put this term in everyday speech, understand it as an easier way, it means the energy from a remaining resources which is not exhausted when used. As pervious mentioned, Canada has a plenty of natural resources to afford renewable energy. Since a long time, the Canadian government attaches great importance in clean energy and renewable energy. For example, such as hydrogen, solar energy, geothermal

Renewable energy is energy from a source that is not depleted when it is used.

Currently, the energy (electricity generation) sector in Canada is facing a major crisis, which is the fear of running out of world’s natural resources to produce electricity. Even though the Canadian government is promoting renewable resources, it will take a long time to establish a network that is completely dependent on renewable resources. In the meantime, the population of Canada is growing drastically and cities such as Toronto is struggling to meet the rising demand for electricity due to urbanization.

Canada’s energy sector is probably one of the most important to Canada, and possibly the most important to the world. In 1846, Abraham Gesner produced kerosene from coal in Nova Scotia. He was the first man of his time to do this in Canada. In 1870, the government of the United Kingdom handed over control of the land used by the Hudson Bay Company to Canada. Canadian’s did not realize that the land they had been given, mainly Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba was extremely rich in minerals, mostly fossil fuels. Canada is a major player in energy imports and exports. Canada produces 6% of the worlds energy. In fact, only Saudi Arabia, USA, Russia and China produce more energy than Canada. Canada produces 33% of the worlds Uranium, and 13% of the worlds hydro-electricity, making it the largest producer of these two forms of energy in the world. Canada is also a major supplier of coal, petroleum and natural gas. Alberta is the home of most of Canada’s oil and coal fields.

An important role of them is to generate energy from natural resources, for instance solar thermal. It is a solar water heater that uses the power of the sun to heat water thus reducing the amount of gas or electricity required. In fact, according to Education Scotland, solar power plants in Spain have generated 3 gigawatts of power which represents 2.8% of Spain’s energy needs (Solar – Renewable Energy, 2016). There are many renewable energy technologies that can prevent acid rain, urban smog, pollution and the burning of coal. Canada has improve on its uses of fossil fuel, the uses of renewable energy grew from 2% to 11% (Healing, 2016). Therefore, if using renewable energy sources will give us the luxurious of being able to have electricity, heat our homes, transport, and protect the environment, then why not use it.

In the 1960’s and 1970’s a movement regarding the physical environment began, this movement focused on a few environmental issues and disasters caused directly or indirectly by pollution. As the years progressed, this movement grew into a multifaceted activist movement gaining more attention in the US, more often referred as “Environmentalism” or “Environmental Activism”. As the human race realized the physical environment is fragile and thus must be protected, scientists started to look for more efficient and ecologically safe energy sources. The introduction of renewable energy brought to light all of these issues, giving a viable alternative for the nation’s energy future, implementing resources that are naturally replenished and also, eco-friendly.

Renewable energy is on the increase, however the rate in which this increase is taking place is too slow. This leads to our country not being very sustainable. Before we begin to talk about the roadmap, it is important that we must understand the definition of sustainability. Sustainability is conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources . In terms of energy this can be achieved by increasing our use of renewable energy. Renewable energy is when energy is sourced from natural and alternative energy such as wind and solar .

7). Trudeau is aiming to: invest $100 million into clean energy companies, remove current subsidies from fossil fuels and put them towards clean power, put $2 billion towards carbon reducing energy projects, work with the private sector to encourage venture capitalism, and to increase taxes for carbon producers while developing green energy. (Dinshaw, 2015, para. 6). In essence, the carbon taxes will impact Alberta in its current state, but government support is available to help Alberta pursue nuclear energy with the clean energy budget plans. Furthermore, having the Canadian government encouraging the private sector to support clean energy with investments is a good stepping-stone and a motivating factor for nuclear energy since high profits can be achieved with nuclear

In contrast, some believe that renewable energy is a key factor involved in helping the economy to grow. Many jobs are created in the manufacturing and running of renewable energy plants. The renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies created 8.5 million new jobs and $970 billion in revenue in the year 2006 (Langwith, “Renewable Energy is Economically”). The American Solar Energy Society says by 2030 it could generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue for the U.S and create 40 million new jobs. This would represent one in every four jobs (Langwith, “Renewable Energy is Economically”). This shows how vital it is to get renewable energy companies in the U.S. It is important to build a stable economy again and do it all while helping the environment.

Renewable resources are also known as alternative energy sources. Alternative Energy is any source of energy that can be renewed (Issit). Renewable Energies include hydrogen fuel, biomass fuel, hydropower, solar power, geothermic energy, and nuclear power. Hydrogen fuel is an amalgamation of hydrogen and oxygen which is used to produce electricity (Issit). Biomass fuel is made from materials which have already been used, such as compost, and can be used to generate electricity (Issit). Hydropower can be created through moving water or wind to generate electricity (Issit). Using sunlight to produce electricity is called solar power (Issit). Geothermic energy is energy made by the heat under the earth’s mantle (Issit). Nuclear power is

Energy is a critical component for every economy and society around the world. Energy is divided into two groups, nonrenewable (coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear) with a finite amount found around the globe and renewable (hydro, tidal, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass) that are constantly being replenished so that they will never run out (Green Energy Choice, 2011). The international economic impact of renewable energy is explored by examining subsidies, strategic policies, and comparative advantage of renewable energy.