A startling report from the U.N. Monday (August 9) states that impacts to the climate are, in some cases, irreversible and point the finger straight at humans as the major cause.

Foothills MP John Barlow admits climate change needs to be addressed, but shutting off the oil taps isn't realistic.

He says we don't have anything to replace it and the electrical grid doesn't exist to handle the extra demands.

Barlow pointed to Calgary during the heatwave when owners of electric cars were told not to charge them overnight because they drew too much power from the grid.

"There's no question that we have to address climate change and protecting our environment, certainly in my riding it's critical, we live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet and we want to make sure that that is protected, but again I think that is the misinformation that's gone out there is that you have to shut down Canada's resource sector and energy sector to achieve that, which is completely wrong, completely false," he says.

Barlow says to deal with climate change, large emitters like China and India also need to be playing by the same rules since they're responsible for over half the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

He says we need to take our Canadian natural gas skills, experience and knowledge and share it with the world and get other countries off dirty coal.

"That would have a massive impact because our energy is developed under the highest environmental and human rights standards in the world, period, we are the world leader."

"Canadian energy isn't the problem, it's actually in my opinion it's part of the solution."

It would bring not only economic benefits and jobs across the country, according to the Foothills MP.

 

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