And despite the chaotic performance of our predictable and tired actors on stage left and stage right in recent days – we are starting to getting this right. We need an open mind and collective purpose. There is no time to discount one compelling solution over the other based on emotional bias or outdated market data. The rest of us – and the vast majority of Calgarians and Canadians, are busy at work implementing solutions.Īs the RBC Economics report released last week clearly shows, reaching a net-zero energy future will require roughly $2-trillion dollars of investment and technological innovation on a scale never seen before. The actors simply clamoring for a feigned applause line or an overacted dramatic scene should take their final bow. It will require an all-hands on-stage approach. It’s far past time Canada – and Calgary – “move past” the petty politics of energy extremes and work together to solve the most urgent issue of our generation: providing abundant, economic and zero-emissions energy to the world. It knows that solutions to complex problems cannot be found in soundbites or headlines – but only with real action and real investment. But this same reality parallels the truth that the same rise in energy prices makes the competitors to oil and gas that much more economic.ĭespite the cheers and jeers from the side stage, Canada’s audience is far more sophisticated. Indeed, the astronomical rise of energy prices around the world in recent months – driven by a lack of investment in new oil and gas development coupled with stronger than expected demand as the economy recovers – has laid bare a profound disconnect between reality and fiction. ‘Climate emergency’ is a nuts-and-bolts issue for Calgary’s new mayor After decades of irrefutable scientific evidence on the catastrophic effects of climate change feeling like nothing other than an emergency – they reiterated their chorus: that we move past emissions right now before it becomes too late and the show ends in tragedy.Ĭan Cowtown avoid becoming a ghost town? What Calgary can learn from rust-belt cities It didn’t take long for stage left to want in on the show, expressing a legitimate frustration many in our country’s climate movement acutely feel. Being the most responsible producers of energy in the world busily investing, innovating and implementing the energy transition – how dare someone suggest we “move past” this important work? The characters on stage right spoke first, articulating a legitimate frustration many in our country’s energy sector acutely feel. Her entrance onto the stage was far less predictable than the well-rehearsed performances that took place next on stage right and stage left from the Twitter-verse and partisan, non-energy writers. Second, she won a decisive mandate to lead Calgary for the next four years with a cornerstone of her campaign being a pledge to build Calgary into a global energy transition leader. Gondek’s comments were taken out of context.
She moved into the spotlight last week with two simple words – to “move past” oil and gas.īefore unpacking the audience reaction, it’s worth noting a couple facts.įirst, Ms. This time, a relatively new and unknown actor entered the plot and took centre stage: Jyoti Gondek, who is being sworn in today as Mayor of Calgary, Canada’s energy capital. The politics of energy are once again playing in Canadian theatres.
Kevin Krausert is the CEO & co-founder of Avatar Innovations Inc.