At the recent G7 meeting in Germany it has been decided and agreed upon to phase out fossil fuels by the end of this century. The original target date suggested by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the year 2050, which is only 35 years from now. No doubt, that would have been tight, because it represents the short time frame of a generation only. But hold it, 35 years ago, in 1980, we just got away from the big mainframe computers and within the following years personal computers with very limited memory and big heavy screens came on the market. What has happened since can be called an industrial revolution, again, within 35 years. Well, pressure is the mother of inventions!
Considering the fact that the amount of knowledge based on science and research is multiplying every few years, the target date of 2050 would not have been unrealistic, provided that all signatories of the agreement would focus on it and find a solution. It is a long term vision that requires immediate action and financial investment in science and research. Yes, I am referring to technology and engineering, focused on independent power production and energy storage. The latter creating a bigger problem than the power production. However, considering that the world population is increasing exponentially and that the availability of fossil fuels is limited and causing climate change, a more intensified push for applications of alternative power and energy is overdue. We want a stable economy and good paying jobs. Let us acknowledge that most of it today is based on technology and technical advancements. Recent surveys for election purposes have found that we are concerned about the quality of life. Well, the quality of life is directly related to good jobs, good payments and, yes, a stable economy. This is not a rocket science and Europe has found out that there are now more good paying jobs in the "independent power business" than the car and vehicle manufacturing industry.
This opens up a tremendous opportunity for our colleges and universities to re-focus on new areas of education that definitely will contribute to more diversification and a sustainable development. It is what I have heard over and over recently when on the road with the OBAC (Omineca Beetle Action Coalition) Innovation program visiting schools and communities in our Central BC Region.
Albert Koehler
Prince George
