The Edge of Energy Scotiabank The Edge of Energy

If we want to make a significant dent in the reduction of global warming a sharp pivot towards renewed energy sources is mandatory. Renewable energy uses earth’s natural resources to produce heat, electricity, energy and power. Disruption is necessary. But the good news is that there is enough energy diversity to make the transition easy. President and CEO of The Canadian Renewable Energy Association-Robert Hornung, Chief Commercial Officer of Loop Energy-George Rubin and President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta-John Kousinioris get down to the gigawatts of it all.

Agricultural gases like methane released into the air from livestock, nitrous oxide from the synthetics put in soils and carbon dioxide from the machinery being used are contributing to our emissions. Food waste’s decomposition in landfills leads to the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and a greenhouse gas more potent- methane. These are eventually released into the air and help to make Canadian summer days hotter than any time in recorded history. So how can we help farmers to reduce and producers to build resilience? General Manager at Truly Green Farms, Greg Devries shares some groundbreaking carbon neutral farming practises. Lenore Newman gets excited about the future of food and Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute, has some suggestions for policy makers.

The Environmental, Social and Governance integration into financial services gives business, investors and financial institutions the option to advocate for a sustainable future. Ambitions to be a leader in these markets can not be business as usual. Climate Strategist-Kevin Quinlan, Director of Research at The Institute of Sustainable Finance-Ryan Riordan and Scotiabank’s own Head of ESG Research-Patrick Bryden join us to show how Canada is poised become an economic influencer by accelerating innovation while mobilizing and securing a sustainable economic future.

Pollution, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Carbon; These have all disrupted various ecosystems. The increase in the earth’s temperature has caused a myriad of climate events; Wildfires rage causing drought. Sea ice is thinner, melting and disappearing. Ocean surfaces are warmer forming storms that cause flood and damage. The energy feeding our lives has been stretched to its limit. How can we close the loop, maintain resilience and inform government? Jay Famiglietti, Executive Director and Professor of the Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan; Gillian Chow-Fraser the Boreal Forest Manager at CPAWS Northern Alberta; and conservation scientist Brett Favaro talk ecosystem conservation. 

If we want to make a significant dent in the reduction of global warming a sharp pivot towards the idea of reversing the effects of climate change might be a better approach. As the primary greenhouse gas responsible for emissions is carbon, taking the action of reduction one step further and considering removal might make significant impacts and might lead to an absolute zero. Disruption is necessary. The good news is that Canada has options to make the transition easier. Founder and CEO of Carbon Cure, Robert Niven, takes us through carbon capture, sequestration and some innovative technology that will give us the push we need. While, Scotiabank’s Vice President of Social Impact & Sustainability, Sandra Odendahl, will take us through carbon management, and give strategies and policy suggestions that can give us a global advantage. 

Buildings consume vast amounts of our natural resources and contribute highly to climate change. 17% of Canada's emissions come from residential commercial and institutional buildings, making this an important area of opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas. When we build it must be with green intent. Zahra Ebrahim explains why participatory design might reveal innovations we’ve not yet thought about. Fin Macdonald talks LEED and gives us a sneak peek at renewable strategy in the building sector. And, Leslie Woo looks at the built environment with a lens we might not have considered. 

TAGS: greenbuilding, green, greenhousegasemissions, carbonemissions, carboncapture, leed, builditbackbetter, urbanplanning, builtenvironment, netzero
@: @zahraeb @civicaction @CaGBC