On Energy and Sustainability
It's no exaggeration to say that I've spent most of my working
life thinking about energy and what that means in Alberta. I
started out, as have so many in the energy industry in Alberta, by
getting my hands dirty and really getting to know the energy
industry from the ground up. I was fortunate enough to work with
some great people over the years, to the point where I was able to
act as the Chair and CEO of Syncrude, which gave me some insights
into how energy is created, used and viewed on a global scale. I've
travelled the world talking about energy, developing energy,
thinking about energy, and, maybe more importantly than anything
else, trying to make sure that we do the smartest thing with the
energy we have. Given the rapidly growing global population and
energy demand, the world will ultimately need every known form of
energy (and some new forms yet to be developed). And we will need
to use all these energy supplies as efficiently and wisely as
possible.
What we have to realize, in bringing EXPO to Edmonton in 2017
− which I think is a dynamic and exciting prospect − is
that the word "energy" will mean something completely different in
2017 than it does now. Today, it has certain meanings for
Albertans. The word energy makes us think of oil, natural gas,
coal, and electricity. It also makes me think of the incredible
reserves of human energy that Edmontonians and Albertans possess.
It's that kind of energy that has made Alberta such an incredible
place to do business and live life.
Energy is essential to life. We can't do without it. At this
moment in history, the world is dependent on fossil fuels (oil,
natural gas, coal) for the majority of its supply of primary
energy. Alberta has these resources in abundance. From a global
perspective, the proven reserves in Alberta's oil sands are second
only to those of Saudi Arabia. While it is important that we
develop these vast resources, we must do so in a socially and
environmentally responsible manner. Undoubtedly, this will comprise
a great deal of the thinking and innovation leading up to EXPO
2017. Personally, I'm incredibly excited by the new ideas and
inventions that we'll see when the world comes to visit us.
But if oil, gas and coal are what energy means to most people
today, then what about tomorrow? What about a generation from now?
Or two generations? There's no telling what the word "energy" will
mean in the decades to come. That's why we shouldn't separate the
word energy from the word sustainability. I think being one of the
world's biggest sources of energy is what gives us the platform to
turn ourselves into tomorrow's energy superpower. We'll achieve it
by realizing that the world of energy is in constant flux, and that
sustainability is vital to the next generation of energy sources.
The decisions we make today are going to have a huge impact on
whether Alberta stays at the heart of the energy cycle not just
now, but for generations to come. The best way I can think of to
ensure this is to remain at the heart of the discussions.
That's why hosting EXPO 2017 is so important to Edmonton and
Alberta, and to Canada. We must stay at the forefront of where the
world is going on energy and sustainability. We must contribute and
be part of every debate, every dialogue. Bringing the world's
greatest thinkers on energy and sustainability together as part of
EXPO 2017 is going to be invigorating and important. More than a
great gathering, this topic, in our country at this time, is
fundamentally good business.
Eric Newell, O.C., Chair of
Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation
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