LETTER

Pipelines 

The fact is that no one wants a pipeline in their backyard, but it is still a necessity. No one wants biomass, windfarms or slolar arrays in their backyards, but they are still the base of our future energy needs. But none of these will replace oil for the manufacturing of plastics, polymers, makeup products and even the cooking oils you use on a daily basis (yes, they are refined at the same place your gasoline comes from - all of them).      

Anyone using something made of plastic contributes far more to the destruction of our planet than any pipeline. Is your smart phone made from ‘Recycled Water Bottles’? Is it? Or did it take 3 barrels of oil to melt the water bottle down to re-engineer the plastic? Let’s not forget the coal coke needed to melt down the metals for the semiconductors, capacitors, core processors, frame for the phone and your laptop. etc. Kill the supply or kill the demand? Which one will advance humanity? Everyone keeps pointing the finger at cars and trucks. Electric cars are great - IF - you make over $ 50,000 a year and have no children and no debts. They’re great - IF - you live in an urban setting and live in a condo or an apartment. For people who do things themselves, electric cars do not work; their lifecycle is shortened every time you go to the home building supply store. How many electrical vehicles (cars, trucks, ATVs, boats, generators) are present on First Nation Reserves? How many wind farms? Solar arrays? Biomass? 

You want to make a difference ? Come up with the solution instead of simply reiterating the problems and asking that everyone live frugally. And. Accept the wind farms and solar arrays in your backyards. Accept Biomass as future fuel generation. Plainly put, if you use it, don’t cry wolf unless there’s a solution in that howl. 

Nicolas Mazet 

Aylmer