Fossil fuels are the cornerstone of our country’s wealth, and their energy-related threads blend smoothly into the complex fabric of Canada’s national identity. Examining the important subject of “Sustaining Canada: The Crucial Role of Fossil Fuels in Our Nation’s Well-Being,” it is clear that these energy sources are not just commodities but rather lifelines that propel both progress and our everyday existence.
You should be grateful for fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas if you made it through the current cold snap in Alberta and are reading this. In Red Deer, average daytime temperatures during the cold week of January 12–18, 2024 were roughly -24.9oC and nighttime lows of -33.7oC. We might have frozen if heat hadn’t come from fossil fuels like coal and gas. 34.2% of Alberta’s electricity on January 15, the coldest day of te year, came from coal, 58.2% from natural gas, and the remaining portion from other sources. Carbon-based fuels were the primary source of electricity and transportation for us.
The ongoing Canadian climate change discussion is challenged by the harsh reality of living in a huge, frigid country for a significant portion of the year. It’s clear that fossil fuels are necessary to survive Canada’s severe winters, even though there are still talks of moving away from them. Leaders must recognise that although we currently rely on hydrocarbons, we will eventually need to find alternatives if we are to have a sustainable future as we negotiate this reality. Also, The cold snap also had an impact on oil prices because it hardened the bitumen, which made transportation difficult. Severe cold can impede oil shipping even with the need to phase out oil sands for climate reasons.
In Canada, fossil fuels are essential for survival. This is a verifiable truth. We’ve been safe because we can afford heat, even though extreme cold is more deadly than extreme heat. A lot of Canadians appear to overlook this.To be clear, fossil fuels are essential to Canadian life. It’s time to express yourself clearly and repeatedly until everyone gets the message.
It is evident from current data that Canada is becoming more dependent on fossil fuels. The statistics present a different picture even when climate leadership is being discussed. Even if cleaner fuels have advanced, the overall shift is gradual, and demand for petrol and diesel is rising. Though it’s still a small portion of Canada’s overall electrical supply, wind and solar energy are expanding. Fossil fuels are, in fact, a necessary part of our everyday existence; they power our cars and heat our houses. Even Nevertheless, words and deeds on the climate often diverge. Our sustenance on fossil fuels and the decisions we make for a sustainable future need to be openly discussed as we take on the task of lowering emissions.
