If it’s true that change occurs at the speed of thought, then we’re in an era of true upheaval. And from my perspective, all this change might be for the better. Let’s look at a few examples.
Europe has recently labelled liquified natural gas a “green” energy source and, as I’ve pointed out before, Canadian exports will have the lowest emissions on earth.
More people in Canada and around the globe are coming to the view that natural gas will remain an enormous part of the global energy mix at least for next several decades, as global energy demand continues to grow to record highs. In fact, some forecasting sees LNG consumption increasing by as much as 76 per cent by 2040.
If the world is prevented from securing its growing energy resources from Canada, the challenge becomes clear: Will other less responsible producers step up to fill the void and fill their own coffers at Canada’s expense? The answer is ‘yes’.
At the same time, Canada’s families and communities will be left behind, along with the emissions reductions our LNG could have attained globally.
We’ve seen in our own Canada Action-sponsored polling that Canadians are well aware of the benefits of Canadian energy resources over those of jurisdictions where commitments to environment, social benefits and strong governance are weak.
It’s why residents of Victoria, B.C. have recently been seeing our advertising explaining that B.C.’s LNG will reduce emissions and improve the environment.
And the world, it would seem, agrees with our message.
A separate Ipsos poll released earlier in the spring showed that people in 28 countries, which included 24,000 respondents, ranked Canada as the number 1 choice for countries that import oil. Canada was the preferred supplier by 55 per cent of respondents, while Norway ranked second at 53 per cent and the U.S. followed at 52 per cent.
The Ipsos results had the Middle East, Mexico, Venezuela, Russia and China ranked at the bottom. Commentators credited Canada’s strong records on democracy, environmental safety and social considerations for the world-beating results shown in the Ipsos research.
So, a strong forecast for growth in LNG demand points to an equally strong opportunity for Canada to fill that demand. And a global reputation for Canadian excellence in natural resource development makes plain that our participation in the market brings positive global benefits.
But there’s also a pressing need to engage more forcefully in the eradication of generational, systemic poverty among many Indigenous populations across Canada.
In growing our market share for Canadian LNG, we can increase our commitment to Canada’s Indigenous populations by ensuring they’re able to lift out of systemic poverty whole populations that have lacked access to prosperity.
It’s a massive opportunity, and its time has come.
Cody Battershill is a Calgary realtor and founder/spokesperson for CanadaAction.ca, a volunteer-initiated group that supports the Canadian natural resources sector and the environmental, social and economic benefits that come with it.
