news // no. 4 Canada’s take on boosting renewable forms of energy » Is tide power the future of green energy? Tania Arora Staff Reporter Rewer energy is derived from atural processes and can be reused or restored at a faster rate than it is consumed. This form of energy can be collected either directly or indirectly, through wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, biogas, and other methods. At present, 17 percent of the total energy supply in Canada is sourced from renewable energy, of which wind and solar are the fastest growing sources of electricity. According to the Government of Canada’s website, Canada is ranked seventh on the international scale of world production of renewable energy, amounting to three percent of the total produced worldwide. Ata G7 meeting last year, various environment, energy, and oceans ministers met in Halifax, Nova Scotia from September 19 to 21. During this time Canada announced its plan to boost the production of what people have called “riskier” forms of renewable energy. Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources said at the meeting, “A strong economy tomorrow depends on our actions to safeguard our environment. The ways in which we develop, move, and use our energy must respect the environment while A cleaner future for the province enriching the lives of all Canadians.” The reason the project is risky is that people are concerned about the effect ocean turbines will have on local marine life. The Government of Canada announced during the meeting its contribution plans to the tidal project, which intends to make use of the tides at Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy. The project is run by the Irish-based DP Energy. Upon its completion, the project will become the world’s largest tidal stream turbine array. Five tidal turbines will be embedded into » BC government's climate action plan revealed Roshni Riar Staff Writer leanBC, the BC government’s official climate action plan, was unveiled to the public in December 2018. The plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce climate pollution, introduce more economic opportunities to individuals and communities, and stimulate employment with the creation of more jobs. Ina December 5 press release from the provincial government, BC Premier John Horgan said of the plan, “By moving to clean, renewable energy—like our abundant supply of BC electricity—we can power our growing economy and make life better and more affordable for British Columbians.” The press release revealed the BC government’s primary goals for CleanBC. Emphasis was placed on utilizing BC’s clean electricity and renewable energies while decreasing the use of fossil fuels, the ocean floor along with a single floating turbine. Sohi also said during the meeting that harnessing the power of oceans could bea way to deal with the need for clean energy. “Our planet’s oceans represent an important resource in many ways, including as a source of clean, affordable, and reliable energy,’ said Sohi. “As G7 countries, it is our responsibility to address pressing global issues, such as meeting the world’s ever-increasing demand for energy, in a more responsible way. I look forward to continuing work with our international making energy efficient solutions more affordable, reducing waste and converting remaining waste into clean energy, and fostering cleaner industry with specific incentives. To encourage reduced emissions in transportation, the government is prepared to lower prices on zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Incentives will be offered to those who drive ZEVs and additional, accessible charging ports will be installed for individuals to use. The government aims to increase the production of cleaner fuels to 650 million litres per year in order to support the transition; the low carbon fuel standard for the province will be increased to 20 percent by 2030. The CleanBC highlight report states that by 2040, every vehicle sold in BC will be a ZEV. By 2032, every newly constructed building in BC will be “net-zero energy ready”—meaning it creates at least as much energy as it uses—and $400 million will be invested into the retrofitting and renovations of existing homes and buildings, including offering incentives towards the installation of energy efficient heat pumps. To help support the new jobs and opportunities that come with making the province cleaner, a labour readiness plan is being developed. Job training for electric and zero-emission vehicles will expand and programs such as the Energy Step Code certification and Certified theotherpress.ca community to explore ways to transform our energy systems and bring about a more sustainable future for everyone.” The tidal project is expected to be completed by 2020, powering over 2,500 homes when it is complete. The federal government has provided grants and subsidies to various projects to boost the production of renewable energy. For the tidal project alone, the government has contributed $30 million to the $117-million project. Retrofit Professional accreditation will be introduced. In order to support the climate action plan, BC’s carbon tax will raise by $5 a year until 2021, when it will be set at $50 per tonne. A portion of the increased tax will be put towards funding incentives for cleaner industry operations. By 2030, industry will have to reduce methane gas emissions by 45 percent. By 2030, the province aims to reduce GHG emissions by 40 percent, which would eliminate 18.9 megatons of its target compared to 2007 levels. With the proposed targets and goals set out in the CleanBC action plan, the province will be able to meet 75 percent of its total emissions reduction goal. Within the next two years, the remaining 25 percent of reduction actions will be revealed. In the government's press release, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman shared his optimism for a cleaner, more sustainable future across the province. “CleanBC is a BC-specific approach to making our communities strong and vibrant [...] as we rise to the challenge of global climate change,” said Heyman. “We can build a low carbon economy that includes all sectors and all workers. Together, we can protect our children’s future, while making life more affordable today.”