Dear Editor:
RE: Fossil fuels, June 10
Henry Brunsveld claims, “China has no intention of reducing its use of fossil fuels.” Actually, China has pledged that emissions will peak by 2030 and will reduce to net zero by 2050.
We Canadians should clean up our own act before pointing our fingers at China. In 2019 the emissions per person in Canada was 19.4 tonnes, while China’s was only 10.1 tonnes per person. Even U.S. emissions were less than us at 15 tonnes per person. Some argue that our emissions are higher because of our northern climate, but in Norway emissions were only 8.2 tonnes per person. Russia and India also emit less per person than us.
We still will need fossil fuels because we rely heavily on plastic, in which the carbon remains fixed. We just need to stop burning the stuff.
Mining anything uses a lot of energy and is prone to polluting the environment. However, burning the fossil fuels after mining them is the problem, whereas the lithium stores energy and runs vehicles without further pollution. A new technology for producing lithium from sea water has been developed and proven, at least on a small scale. The main cost of producing one kilogram of battery grade lithium from sea water would be about 76 kWh of electricity or about $13 at peak Ontario rates. The process also produces hydrogen, chlorine and desalinated water which can be used or sold.
Solar panels do not need to be eyesores. I have them on my roof and they are no less attractive than the usual roofing material. The panels provide nearly all of my household needs, and charge my car and lawnmower as well. Solar panels on the roofs of any new developments make a lot of sense.
Trump? Really? The guy who ignored the rule of law, tried to prevent the peaceful change of government and assured millions of Americans they could ignore COVID-19 health advice? No thank you!
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh