CLEAN SOLUTIONS

Achieving Canada's clean economy

Canada has made some impressive progress towards a clean energy future. Electric passenger vehicles sales have switched up a gear in recent years (sales are up 28% in Q2 of 2019 versus Q2 of 2018 according to Electric Mobility Canada), and our power supply is already 80% non-emitting.

But we're only part way down the road and not all of our transport sector is motoring ahead. The push for electric buses has not kept up with the push for electric cars, for instance. A simple solution? Provide government rebates for buses, just like those introduced for electric car purchases. 

And while we're on the subject of solutions, what about clean power? An 80% non-emitting grid is a great start, but Canada has a plan to reach 90% non-emitting electricity by 2030, and ultimately, there’s nothing stopping us from achieving 100% in the years that follow. Check out my most recent op-ed in the National Observer, co-authored with my colleague Merran Smith, on Canada's progress cleaning up the power grid.

Evidence is the key

Another week goes by, and carbon pricing is in the headlines once again. But for all the misinformation out there, there's also plenty of good evidenced-based information. Like this piece from Canada's Ecofiscal Commission highlighting six places in the world where carbon pricing has been a real success. After all, there's nothing like solid evidence to strengthen a case.

The electric car 'gold rush'

This is one to read with a cup of coffee in hand. Ease yourself into Monday with this Fortune piece on how automakers are prepping themselves for an increasingly EV-hungry Chinese market. China already accounts for 54% of electric vehicle sales globally—and climbing—meaning car manufacturers are grappling for access to the upcoming EV goldmine. As the article reads, "the result is an electric-car race in China that’s fast-paced, financially risky, and anyone’s to win."

Hydrogen hype

Some stellar news for those tracking the rise of renewable hydrogen. A new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance has forecast the cost of hydrogen produced from wind and solar power will "rapidly plunge", making the clean gas more economically viable. As the report reads, “these production costs would make green gas affordable and puts the prospects for a truly clean economy in sight.”

It's getting hotter faster

Climate change is occurring quicker than previously predicted. Underwater melting of the ice sheets is occurring two orders of magnitude faster than expected. The oceans will get warmer, and sea levels will rise more rapidly than previously thought. If you're curious to know why the predictions were off, this article is well worth a read. Even more evidence of the urgent need for climate action.

Clean Energy Review is on vacation next week

They'll be no clean energy news from us next Monday. However, the Clean Energy Review be back in full 10-story glory on Sept 2. Hope everyone enjoys the last few weeks of summer.

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