ABCtech #83 13FEB17 CleanTech – People, Industry & Politics

ABCtech #83 13FEB17 CleanTech – People, Industry & Politics

Maybe it’s the long winter, or the weatherman but I’ve been baffled at all the attention being given to clean technologies. So I’ve done some homework, that may save you the effort. For some my views are bound to be provocative, for others down right wrong. But for most of you, I hope “appreciated”. Here goes:

Going Global. There is a lot to be learned from the experience of others well advanced in the application of clean technologies. Europe is eyeing the North American market.

Alberta. In the eyes of the world, certainly hollywood – Alberta is a nice place to visit, but  … seriously, the oil and gas industry and Alberta Government are hard at it to adopt clean technologies for reducing GHGs and ensure access to markets and tidewaters so essential to Alberta’s economy.

Diversification. No one has the answer and public spending is never adequate. Plus research shows that carbon-based economies are the hardest to diversify. Now after years of neglect, most carbon-based economies are hard at developing their “ecosystem” to support innovation. Some are employing public procurement! – a subtle form of protectionism, and contrary to globalization.

USA. Keystone served as a great marketing event to get America to listen up. It has, and what’s his name is so far on our good side.

Ottawa. Wants Canada clean, and views a carbon tax as the best way forward. No problem for the GOA and industry that were already aligned, dedicating revenues to clean technology and emissions reduction.

Alternative energies. Wow .. hardly a day goes by without another report on how solar and wind, biomass and geothermal, combined with advances in battery technology will save the planet. Even nuclear has re-emerged with Canada finally considering to opt into the international rush to fusion.

Municipalities. Event though the personal markets in housing and transportation are emerging slowly, industries and investment have been anticipating the clean tech transition. “Going green” is popular, garners votes and is the focus of economic development. Rural Alberta is in tough – needing an economic stimulus; clean technologies has breadth and depth and an ideal entrepreneurial pursuit.

Indigenous. Canada’s native population views itself as the prime stewards of the environment. CleanTech poses an extraordinary opportunity for economic growth and their increasing population.

Right? Wrong? Share your views. – Esir Pretne

• Green Energy Futures – a great source for up-to-date clean tech articles  HERE
• Carbon Tax to fund research and clean tech for resource industries  HERE
• Capitalising on Canada’s clean technologies entrepreneur  HERE 
• Alberta industry adopting clean technologies to reduce GHGs  HERE 
• WD’s call for clean technologies and/or indigenous economic growth proposals  HERE 
• Distribution of Canada’s stewards of the environment  HERE 
• Canada’s clean Energy indigenous projects  HERE
• Accessing rural financing through Community Futures  HERE

Addressing the economic disruption and decline in rural Alberta  HERE