subject: Toronto - A World Example For Green Energy [print this page] When I was a child, we had a unit in elementary school on various forms of alternative energy solutions. We learned about hydroelectric energy, solar power, nuclear power, and wind generators. I told one of our teachers that it didn't make any sense for us to be so reliant on fossil fuels and combustible power when so many other alternatives were available.
His reply is still one that amuses me to this day. It was something like, "Well, but only ten percent of our energy comes from these alternative sources." When I said that we should use those sources more, he replied with something like, "Ha! Do you know how expensive it would be to develop those resources?"
Well, we're paying a big price now, aren't we? Air and water quality in major cities is horrible, acid rain is destroying our environment, and gasoline prices have had a deleterious effect on the international economy. Whether you believe that global warning is caused by man or not, the negative affects of our use and abuse of the earth's resources are evidential and undeniable. Maybe if we had focused more time and effort all of those years ago on exploring and developing solutions that we already knew were sure-fire, our planet and out bank accounts would be in much better shape.
Ontario is one of the best places on earth for the implementation and utilization of alternative and natural energy production. With Niagara Falls already serving as an role model for hydroelectric energy production, other forms of green energy production should be pioneered and expanded. Cities like Toronto should serve as examples for the rest of Canada by exploiting these pure and natural resources while lessening the use and negative affects of fossil fuels. Under the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, Toronto could readily become the world leader in the production of renewable green energy.
It all starts with the people, and as the people of Toronto take those steps forward, electricians in Toronto will have their work cut out for them. Those that are already educating themselves in the implementation of solar and wind power will have the advantage as more or more citizens seek to bring Canada and the world into harmony with the natural forces of the planet. I have no idea how my old teacher feels about energy or the world now, but it seems a small price to pay to ensure that we and our descendants have a clean world with abundant green energy resources.
