Dear Editor:
The era of burning fossil fuels is coming to a close. What are the signs?
1) Since 2011, universities, churches and many other organizations have divested approximately $14 trillion from coal, oil and gas investments.
2) In the Netherlands, a court has ordered Royal Dutch Shell to reduce its carbon emissions by 45% over the next nine years. 61% of Chevron’s shareholders supported a proposal to cut emissions released when consumers buy and burn oil and gas. At ExxonMobil, new board members want the company to prepare for a world with a diminished appetite for oil and gas.
3) Automobile manufacturers are starting to phase out gasoline vehicles. By 2040 Honda will produce only electric vehicles; by 2035 General Motors will do the same; and by 2030 Ford will sell only electric vehicles in Europe. A federal bill has been introduced in the U.S. requiring that by 2025, 50% of vehicle sales will be zero emission vehicles (ZEV) – 100% by 2035.
4) Enbridge line 5 which provides natural gas to Ontario, is meeting stiff opposition as it crosses Michigan. The governor wants to close it down.
5) In Canada the carbon tax on fossil fuels will continue to increase each year by at least 10%.
In light of the above, what can we do?
1) Consider making your next vehicle either full electric or a plug-in hybrid.
2) Solar panels on your roof with battery storage can provide a lot of your energy requirements, particularly in spring through fall.
3) If you need to update your furnace, consider an air exchange or geothermal heat pump.
4) Switch from heating water with natural gas to electricity, particularly if you have solar panels.
5) A good first step would be to replace your gas lawn mower with a battery-electric mower.
6) Since home heating and cooling requires a lot of energy, improving insulation and reducing heat leaks is always cost effective.
7) There’s a new federal Greener Homes Program which will provide up to $5,000 to help with most of the above suggestions.
Doing nothing is not a sensible option, neither for your bank account nor for the environment.
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh