This morning, anti-Canadian hydrocarbon groups dropped off 45 000 signatures to the CBC’s national headquarters to pressure them into hosting a climate change focused debate. What they should be doing instead is focusing on how we can actively reduce global emissions by producing and exporting our resource advantages. It would be more effective to focus on proven ways that Canada can actually reduce global emissions.
We are among the world’s top producers of hydrocarbons and have one of the largest reserves of this precious resource known to man. Hydrocarbons produce an incredible amount of energy that helps power our daily lives, and they are also extremely reliable. What is even better is that it has been shown that Canada can reduce global emissions by producing hydrocarbons under the highest environmental regulation. Climate change is a global issue, so it only makes sense that we take a global approach to solving it.
Here is why we should have a debate about exporting our advantages:
- It has been proven that Canada has a carbon advantage when it comes to our industries, and producing more of our resources can help reduce emissions.
- Through innovation and technology, we have reduced our per barrel emissions over 28% since 2000.
- Our Industry spends more than every other industry on environmental protection and technology spending.
- Emissions heavy countries like China want our products to help lower their emissions.
- We can use the provisions in the Paris Agreement for global offsets, allowing Canada to make the maximum contribution to the planet, given the nature of our economy and our
well-established comparative advantages environmentally.
Canada has an obligation to make life better for Canadians and should be leading the world at reducing global emissions. If we can export our products, which are being produced with the cleanest technology and lower emissions, Canada can make the biggest impact and do its part for the environment.
