THIS WEEK
The hero Halifax deserves, conservatives who like carbon taxes, and a new energy source: wasting time on the internet.
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CANADIAN ECONOMY
Canada doesn't need America for a carbon tax
Can Canada go it alone on carbon pricing? Critics have often pointed to the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that unless America implements measures as well—which is unlikely but not impossible (read on)—Canada will set itself up for a competitive disadvantage. But that disadvantage may be overestimated, and it's one Canada can handle, says a leading economist.
According to Craig Alexander, senior vice-president and chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada, the impact of carbon pricing on the Canadian economy will be "relatively modest." Based on studies Alexander oversaw during his tenure at TD Bank Group, Canada could implement an effective carbon price and only see a 0.15 per cent decrease in economic growth each year. In other words, even if the U.S. doesn't implement carbon pricing at this time, he said during a panel last week, "we can go it alone."
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The Canada that prospers in the decades ahead
Canada has some of the world's cleanest power. Here’s how we can make it count in our homes, cities and workplaces—and what that future will look like. Read our latest article here (bonus: there's even an infographic).
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Dalhousie prof wins top award for work with Tesla
A Halifax professor working with Tesla has won Canada's top science prize for his research into lithium-ion batteries. "I will use the [$1-million] Herzberg award to help perpetuate excellence in battery research at Dalhousie University long after my own retirement," Dr. Jeff Dahn said.
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Nigeria and solar: an ideal match
A majority of Nigerians still have limited or no access to electricity, but a solar startup is making a positive difference. Thanks in part to Nigeria's sunny climate, off-grid solar power kits (which include one rooftop panel and one battery) are being used for electricity in rural homes.
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Republicans for carbon taxes
Veteran U.S. Republicans have a message for President Trump: tax carbon. Their take: "This would be pro-growth, pro-competitiveness and pro-working class, which aligns perfectly with President Trump’s stated agenda." In Canada, one Conservative leadership candidate agrees.
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EVs for everyone
Last year was, unsurprisingly, a record one for electric vehicle sales in Canada, as 11,000 were sold across the country—a 56 per cent increase from 2015. (That brings our total EV count to about 30,000.) The real story may be in the monthly data, however. And it's the same worldwide.
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What's fair, anyway?
How do provinces come up with a fair carbon price? The truth, writes Paul Boothe, is that every province is different, and every province paying exactly the same is only one way to define fairness. Boothe does have one suggestion to level the playing field, though: carbon trading.
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Europe keeps it clean in 2016
Of all the new power added to Europe's various electric grids last year, fully 86 per cent of it came from renewable sources. Indeed, wind energy has now overtaken coal to become the EU's second largest source of electricity capacity.
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More money, more cleantech projects
NRstor Inc. announced last week a new partnership with the Labourers’ Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (a union-backed pension fund worth $5.7 billion) for $200-million in cleantech financing for various projects.
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Wasting time online has never seemed so noble
You probably don't live in Sweden ("Hej!" if you do), but for residents of Stockholm, your home could soon be heated by—no, we're not kidding—people browsing the internet. If this sounds too silly to be true, read the explanation here.
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Clean Energy Review is sponsored in part by Genus Capital Management, a leading provider of fossil-fuel-free investments.
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FRONT BURNER
Energy Connections 2017
Mar. 4 | Vancouver
This annual conference, hosted by the British Columbia Sustainability Energy Association, brings together top Canadian thinkers in the realm of clean energy, conservation and efficiency. The conference is intended for businesses, government agencies, specialists, students—and anyone interested in learning more about and discussing innovations in B.C.'s clean economy. The one-day event will take place in the SFU Centre for Dialogue in downtown Vancouver. And good news if you're under 30: youth tickets are deeply discounted (come for the cost savings, stay for the energy... savings). Learn more.
Mar. 16 | Washington, D.C.
ACORE National Renewable Energy Policy Forum
The 15th National Renewable Energy Policy Forum returns to the heartland of American politics in March—with much to discuss. Topics this year include clean energy's role in the U.S. economy, the consequences of tax reform, and large-scale infrastructure initiatives. Learn more.
Apr. 3 | Calgary
Arc Energy Investment Forum
Is the oil industry's century-old monopoly on transportation coming to an end? What would it mean for investors? Can policy play a role? Attend this one-day forum hosted by Peter Tertzakian and Jackie Forrest of the ARC Energy Research Institute to find out. Learn more.
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IMAGE & MEDIA CREDITS
Featured photo: public domain
Chart: FleetCarma
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