The winter of 1872-3 was a difficult one for Montrealers. An early freeze made the river and canal reaching the city impassable. City dwellers were without an adequate supply of wood and prices of the existing supply crept out of reach of the city’s poor as winter began. After two young child victims of the cold were discovered, emergency measures were implemented. The Canadian Illustrated News reported that:

the generous farmers of the parish of St. Jerome, under the leadership of the good Father Labelle, brought into town a great number of loads of wood to be given free to the poor under the direction of the several Charitable organizations in the city.

One hundred and fifty years ago, in a country with plentiful sources of wood, energy availability and affordability were not certain. They continue to be concerns for consumers, especially in the context of a rapid energy transition at the same time that energy demand is growing.

The World Bank released a study that included a glimpse of the main sources of energy since 1800 up to 2020. Biomass and coal have been present from the beginning. In 1800, they are the only sources. Oil appears in 1870, followed by natural gas and renewables in 1890. Finally, nuclear energy is measured from 1970.

In 2020, renewables and nuclear – the lowest GHG emission sources – were responsible for 11.5% and 5.0%, respectively, of energy consumption. By 2050 the Bank projects shares of 36.9% for renewables and 7.2% for nuclear. The chart (left) is a graphic display of the energy transitions we have already gone through. It shows a steady growth in renewables from 1890 to 2020. From 2020 to 2050 world population is expected to rise from 7.8 billion to 9.7 billion – a 24% increase. To achieve a 36.9% share by 2050, renewables’ share of energy production must expand at an unprecedented pace over 30 years. The challenge is daunting. 

Perhaps the lesson we should draw is that we face difficult trade-offs to come close to the desired low-emission outcome we’re aiming for, but we should not despair that it can’t be done. There appears to be a public consensus to produce and use energy such that we significantly reduce the associated emissions of greenhouse gases. But we cannot “assume away” uncomfortable truths or ignore the nature and scale of what needs to be done. It does not serve our interests to dismiss approaches as unworthy of research and development simply because they are not our favourites. All approaches are tentative at this point. We will enjoy no progress by “making the perfect the enemy of the good”. Nor should we question the good faith of those who advocate options we have rejected.

It is in that spirit that we are inviting members of the energy sector to contribute to the 2024 edition of the Canada’s Energy Story (CES 2024) We want your views on the energy transition; how it affects your organization; how you are responding to the challenges.

On September 24, 2024, we sent a message to our contact list to submit an article proposal for CES 2024. For more details, see below in ECC ACTIVITIES.