As for real solutions.
Wind Power is supposed to generate 11% of our electricity needs in Canada by 2020. No reason we can't push that to 15-20% over the next 20 years. Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario have some pretty windy places that can add a lot more capacity. I remember when the first wind mills were put up on Cowley Ridge in 1990. At that time we were talking about KW capacity. Now we're talking about MW capacity from a single windmill. Obviously they are not very efficient(10-20% at best), but in 20 years hopefully that will get better.
Usage of coal plants will drop in HALF from 2015 to 2030, while the usage of NG for electricity will DOUBLE. That is progress not even a carbon tax could create.
Natural Gas as a transportation fuel source is booming with the cheap price of NG, and with increased focus on heavy duty hauling switching to NG. Reduced emissions? Up to 25%. Apparently this is going crazy in the US right now.
Hydro-based generation capacity increases from 75 GW in 2010 to 87 GW in 2035.
Obviously solar isn't doing much, and probably never will in Canada. But the US is pushing it hard.
So its not like we're sitting around doing nothing. Obviously there is a lack of focus on nuclear, but thank the NIMBY crowd for that.
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