Energy vs. Environment?

It is perhaps undeniable that today, energy is a basic need for humanity. We have built our society upon the requirement for sufficient, accessible, and safe energy. However, there exists a perceived dichotomy between fulfilling energy demands and climate conservation. Perhaps it is because much of the global energy is obtained from non-renewable and often times polluting energy sources such as coal, natural gas, and oil. Renewable energy is regarded widely as being unable to meet the global energy demands and are considered more expensive energy alternatives.

A Shale Revolution

With a newfound increase in drilling innovations such as horizontal drilling and fracking, North America (Canada and the United States in particular) has experienced a so-called shale revolution with a significant rise in unconventional sources of fossil fuels such as tight gas and shale gas contained in low permeability structures. Such sources which were previous inaccessible have increased the North American self-sufficiency in the fossil fuel based energy sources. In particular, a US EIA study found that in 2005, an approximate 33% of the United States sources of oil were within North America whereas this figure was over 60% in 2013.

This increase in domestic oil sources for North America has been credited to the North American expansion in the unconventional fossil fuel sources. However, as has been outlined by reports concerning energy from my previous terms, there is significant concern regarding the environmental influences that this shale revolution will have. To highlight some of these concerns:

• 1.       The US EPA found cases of seepage of fracking fluid into regional water supplies, contaminating the water table.
• 2.       The fracking fluid itself uses vast quantities of fresh water which is rendered useless following the fracking process.
• 3.       The activity itself is linked to earthquake increases in many regions including the Central Oklahoma region in the US.
• 4.       Most concern however is derived from the fact that this shale revolution is widely regarded as increasing the dependency of North America upon non renewable energy sources.

Many worry that this dependency will limit the growth of the renewable sector. However, underneath this concern there lies an even more disturbing reality regarding this so called revolution.

A Matter of Sustainability

It is perhaps a disturbing fact the exact period that this new innovation within the fossil fuel sectors will sustain us. It is obvious that any non-renewable source cannot sustain society forever however often times non-renewables promise a long term sustenance. After all, many argue, that fossil fuels have sustained us for a large part of our post-industrial history. However, the period that the newfound shale revolution will sustain North American is subject to argumentation. There exists a worrying uncertainty when it comes to economically recoverable shale resources. Therefore while some analyst believe in a shale gas based century with abundant energy resources, even North American energy independence and exports, there are those who warn of a much more bleak future. Some predict that the shale revolution is simply a temporary financial bubble created by industry and will eventually lead to scarcity and increasing fuel prices across the continent.  

A Plan for the Future?

When the future dependent upon shale resources contains such uncertainty, it is worrying to not see additional development in renewable energy. While plans for pipelines across the continent are negotiated by governments, little international discussion and cooperation for a clean and renewable energy future is in the works. However the future with this new boom is still not all too bleak. Developments in unconventional fossil fuels have reduced North American dependency upon coal – reducing the GHG emissions (especially methane) from the dirty sources. However, at this time it is important to remember the risks associated with establishing a dependency on this source as such as dependency will inevitable hamper development in the renewable sector.

Though no one renewable energy source can compose the entire energy demand of any nation, diversified development in renewable sources in important. There exists vast geothermal potential in the Northwestern United States, hydroelectric and tidal power potential in Eastern Canada, and potential for wind and solar across the continent. Though no single source can meet the total energy demand, renewables can indeed reduce dependency upon more polluting sources. A coupled movement to replace coal with cleaner fuels and to institute renewable energy as a larger portion of the total available energy for consumption, will certainly create a North America which will be able to forfeit its position as one of the most polluting regions in the world and work towards emerging as a global example of responsible energy development – safe, secure, and sustainable energy. 

photo credit: cleantechnica.com