About half of the energy consumed in Quebec comes from oil and gas. Despite our hydropower, we are far from energy independence.
Achieving climate neutrality as soon as possible is a common goal for ecological, but also for economic and political reasons.
ecological change
Our dependence on fossil fuels accounts for almost 70% of our greenhouse gases. In order to increase our energy sovereignty while protecting the climate, it is imperative to limit oil and gas consumption as much as possible.
When fossil fuels are replaced with renewable energy, we end up gaining economically as less money leaves Quebec.
electrification
The Legault government understood all of this. This led him to work on the electrification of transport, heating of buildings and industrial processes.
The problem is that Hydro-Quebec doesn’t produce enough energy to ensure this conversion, while at the same time proposing to polluting industries to use our “clean” energy to green the bark.
What about the energy export treaties to be honored and the project to make Quebec the green battery of eastern North America?
In order to produce enough energy to do all of this, many, many more dams and wind farms would have to be built. Hydro-Quebec has backed this up with supporting numbers. We’re talking at least about adding 50% of current power generation.
Even if it is renewable energy, this production comes into conflict with other territorial uses. Their social acceptability in many communities is questionable.
There is also the question of the mining boom associated with the battery sector. This is already worrying the municipal sector and communities affected by the claims.
energy sobriety
It is therefore imperative to prioritize energy sobriety. We waste far too much energy because our buildings are often larger than necessary, poorly built and poorly insulated, because we encourage urban sprawl, because our vehicles only carry 1.2 passengers on average, because our factories release heat that is recovered because our buildings are left unattended with lighting, heating or air conditioning, because our devices consume energy even when they are switched off, and so on.
We could do so much better!
Let’s take inspiration from the Swedes, whose climate, geography and economy are similar to ours, but their carbon footprint is half the size.
To make better decisions together, Quebec needs a real societal debate about its energy future. Not just a parliamentary committee that confirms decisions that have already been made.
We need to listen not only to the experts from Hydro-Québec and the Régie de l’énergie, but also to the scientists, civil society, indigenous people and the communities that will be most directly affected by the changes.
Whether it’s a general meeting or generic BAPE, it’s time to give us the tools to think about real energy sovereignty together.
The big challenge is getting everyone involved in this transition, which has the potential to improve our well-being while reducing our environmental footprint.
Let’s make it smart for our kids.
