Climate change is settled…

Climate change is settled science. 97% of climate scientists agree that global warming is currently happening and human caused. With this in mind the repeal of Cap and Trade is short-sighted and poorly thought out. I want Ontario to put a price on pollution, making polluters pay for their emissions and return the revenues to the pockets of Ontarians so they can lower their carbon footprint.

Furthermore, I want Ontario to end fossil fuel subsidies and handouts. This money should be directed at investing clean energy industries. As the clean energy sector grows and fossil fuel industries decline, Ontario will be left behind if we do not invest in the future. As recent studies have shown, expanding renewables creates far more jobs than expanding fossil-fuel and nuclear power plants combined.

Finally, fuel and operating expenses are very high for fossil and nuclear plants, and are very low for solar and wind. This means that the levelized cost of electricity from solar panels and wind (on land) is less than that from nuclear and especially clean coal.

Renewable energy creates more jobs, reduces electricity costs, and reduces our carbon footprint. I have yet to see a fact-based argument as to how Bill 4 will benefit Ontario. I want Ontario to set legally binding emissions targets and work towards achieving 100% clean power by 2050, if not sooner.