What Is Canada’s Climate Technology Task Force?

As climate change becomes more rampant, and more of a threat to our everyday lives, countries all over the globe are increasing their efforts to tackle it. Moving towards his last weeks as US President, Barack Obama has instructed the Pentagon to consider climate change as an issue of national security. And Canada is no different. Their latest initiative, in the western province of Alberta, will see the creation of a ‘Climate Technology Task Force’. Sounds cool, but what exactly will this be?

Seeking guidance

In a September press conference, Alberta’s minister for Economic Development, Deron Bilous, announced his plan to gather advice and recommendations from a number of experts. This is a pretty simple way of describing the Climate Technology Taskforce. It’s a panel of five people who will give advice on potential technological investments to help create a low-carbon economy for Alberta, and Canada more broadly. Its members are as follows:

• Gord Lambert – a retired innovation advisor, formerly of sustainable energy company Suncor
• Sara Hastings-Simon – Director of the Clean Economy Programme in Alberta, for environmental research organisation Pembina Institute
• Shelly Vermillion – a business consultant with plenty of experience in launching community-based businesses
• Dr. Vic Adamowicz – the University of Alberta’s Vice Dean in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.
• Suzanne West – President and CEO of Imaginea Energy, who produce oil and gas with a focus on sustainability

The sky is the limit

Albert’s panel will be presenting ideas in November on how they can use their funds to develop climate technology. Bilous has suggested that there are no limits on the size of the proposals and no boundaries for the type of ideas – they will all be considered. They’ve been given an encouraging investment too, with a chunk of the estimated three-billion-dollar income from Alberta’s carbon levy.

This levy in itself will have positive environmental effects, by taxing – and consequently discouraging the use of – fuels that emit greenhouse gases. Some of the funds have already been designated to creating green energy projects that will eventually produce 5,000 megawatts of power.

Lightweight, quick and easy

Measuring gas emissions is something that is typically much easier said than done. Known for their bulkiness, conventional gas conditioning systems can be difficult and in some cases unsafe to use. However, ‘Taking Emissions Lightly’ looks at the new PCS.base system by Bühler Technologies that may revolutionise the process, making it quicker and easier to sample, test and condition gas emissions.