Canada’s increased dependency on fossil fuels has been helped by the plentiful supply of fossil fuels at reasonable rates. The ready availability of fossil fuels has played a crucial role in the industrialization process of the nation. The dependency on fossil fuels can promote material civilization; however, the economic, social, and environmental costs that result from it also need to be considered.
Canada’s fossil fuel dependency has involved losses at the different phases of extraction, exploration, and use of fossil fuels. In most of the cases, these losses have taken the forms of hidden costs. The environmental degradation resulting from increased dependency on fossil fuels has been quite detrimental for the overall economic development of the nation.
Restricted use of fossil fuels is beneficial in multiple ways. Reduced dependence on fossil fuels lowers the emission of harmful greenhouse gases, thereby makes the environment cleaner. In addition to this there will be greater scope for the development and prosperity of a more sustainable community of lives.
The commercial production of fossil fuel in Canada started in 1825 at the Grand Lake, NB. Around 97% of Canadian coal mines are placed in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. It was only after the World War II that oil emerged as the major source of fuel in Canada and a substitute of coal. The natural gas, as a fuel, gained popularity in Canada since the decade of 1970’s.
The increased use of fossil fuels has proved to be harmful for many other economic activities in Canada that depend on renewable sources like forestry, fishing, farming, tourism, and the like.
To promote the concepts of energy efficiency, conservation of energy, and eco-friendly consumption, a number of programs have been initiated in Canada since the year 1990. All these programs have focused on the promotion of energy-saving devices and energy-efficient practices. Efforts are on to make the Canadian citizens more aware of the usefulness of the energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy. The Canadian government also encourages research and development activities for the development of more and more energy-efficient devices and renewable sources of energy. Many other programs have been implemented to ensure energy security and promote energy reliability and clean energy policy.
The major challenge before Canada’s energy efficiency initiatives is to achieve a basic change in people’s view regarding dependence on fossil fuels and ensure efficient use of energy.