Letter to the Editor
Editor,
As the Federal Election approaches, we are all learning of how each party believes they can best address the challenges related to greenhouse gas reduction. We hear the opinions of politicians, journalists and now, children, all of whom are assumed to be knowledgeable on this subject. We rarely, if ever, are afforded the opinions of scientists and engineers who can accurately, unemotionally, and honestly render a meaningful diagnosis, and then propose remediation action in an effort to reverse the effects of human activated climate change. Many concerned voters will choose a candidate based on the five or six offered climate plans.
None of these plans will have any measureable effect on reducing the greenhouse effect our planet is now enduring!
I am a retired chemical/electrical engineer. I have had a 40-year career both in petrochemical production and electrical energy generation. I have a thorough understanding of this subject. I am not an activist. I am not a member of any political party.
To best appreciate my statement above, which discounts the plans of all our would-be prime ministers, (in this limited editorial space), please consider the following facts:
– Canada’s population is about 0.5% of the world’s population.
– Canada generates about 1.5% of world’s CO2 and CH4 (methane) greenhouse gases.
– If Canada disappeared tomorrow, the absence of 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions would have zero effect on reducing global warming.
– Every nation must be engaged in a proportional reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
– The first oil refinery came on line about 150 years ago at which time we began burning the many fractions of crude oil (hydrocarbons). Given the global population of about 1 billion in the late 1800s and the sparsity of oil burning devices, hydrocarbon demand was very low.
– Globally, we presently burn about 13 billion litres of oil per day. This rate is growing exponentially.
– Greenhouse gas production rate is directly proportional to global population size. We currently are 7.7 billion strong. The number will be 10 billion by 2050.
– The crude oil in the ground (carbon bonded to hydrogen), is the product of about 400 million years of decaying animal matter.
– If we were to burn these hydrocarbons at the same rate they formed (over 400 million years), our atmosphere could maintain a safe carbon balance.
– We are now burning crude oil at a rate of about 1 million times faster than it formed. “Are you now better understanding the immensity of the carbon imbalance problem?”
The only kind of effective ‘INTERNATIONAL’ Climate Change Plan would be one that manages human population growth and one that eliminates all non-essential oil consumption activities. It would be structured as follows:
– Mandate a birth rate of one child per couple for the next 100 years, which would stabilize the global population at about 5 billion by 2120.
– Eliminate all cruise ship activities.
– Eliminate 90% of air travel for vacations, sports teams, goods transport.
– Eliminate the use of fossil fuel-powered recreational equipment.
– Develop nuclear powered transport ships for international personnel and goods transport.
– Mandate all railways and road vehicles to be electric in 20 years.
– Mandate all electrical power generation to be of non-fossil fuel usage within 20 years.
– Mandate all building heating systems to be electric in 20 years.
– Plant trees at a rate of 10 per year per person where climate, topography permits. Those licensed to cut trees for paper/lumber production to plant at the same rate.
The CO2/CH4 imbalance in our atmosphere is nearing a non-reversible, chronic state. Radical change in the way we conduct ourselves is the only way humans can mitigate the greenhouse effect they’ve created. Taxation of hydrocarbons essential for home heating, transportation and goods manufacture will have a ZERO effect on CO2/CH4 reductions. It will only serve to increase the rate of inflation.
Most of those who consider the above will find these changes intolerable and therefore will endeavour to either ignore them or deny their compulsory nature. In so doing, our planet will still endure for another 4.6 billion years. Our species will not.
A genuine Canadian (or foreign) elected leader would first understand, then embrace the immensity of this problem and collaborate with their fellow world leaders to teach and implement. How many will have such honesty and courage?
Stephen Carr, Meaford
Editor’s Note: Hear, Hear!
