The dwindling fossil fuel supply and the possible end of energy systems reliant upon them is of great concern to the world community. And in the midst of the global recession, the economies of individual nations as well as that of the global system are of paramount importance. That these two issues are of moment at this same time invites nations and businesses to to find ways for solutions to one to also provide solutions to the other. As a major global economic player, Canada also plays a role in this crisis of combining green energy and economy.

In 2008 more money was invested in renewable energy, worldwide, than the total investment in nuclear, coal and natural gas electricity. 148 billion US dollars were invested in green energy projects across the world. This investment trend continues today and it stands to reason then that nations who develop green energy will be in the market for this capital. Canada will need to look to its available resources and needs if it wishes to maintain its strong position in the emerging global market, as most developed nations, especially Canada’s neighbors, are working to attract this money for themselves.

For instance, the US has just invested almost 14 times as much money in green energy than Canada did in last year’s Federal budget.

As well as the ailing economy, the worsening environment is impetus to develop economies sustained by natural energy. Carbon emissions must be reduced in order to combat climate change and according to the International Energy Agency the nations comprising the major Economies Forum, one of whom is Canada, will have to spend 3 to 6 times as much every year than they are now if the goal of reducing 2005 levels of carbon emission to 50% of what they were by the year 2050.

A notable initiative toward that end is the development of procedures and technologies for carbon capture and storage. Canada has put itself forward as an innovator in this area of research and development and has committed some considerable amounts of money toward this end. But nations who are not yet fully sold on the necessity of curbing carbon emissions such as Australia and the USA still spend hundreds of millions more than the nineteen million spent by Canada.

Right now Canada has a strong head start from which to develop an renewable energy economy and infrastructure. The majority of Canada’s electricity is generated by hydroelectric dams. In Quebec, Labrador, Yukon and Manitoba nearly all electricity is hydroelectric.

Canada has plentiful solar energy resources, particularly in Ontario, Quebec, and the Prairies. Although currently only a small part of Canada’s energy production, there is a solar power infrastructure in place mainly for non-electric space and water heating. Government studies show solar energy could account for five percent of energy needs by 2025.

Canada has stretches of territory that are sparsely populated. Many others are difficult to access and so are off the country’s main energy grid. Photovoltaic cells are used as standalone units to insure that remote communities still have power. PV cells are batteries whose semiconductors directly generate electrical power when exposed to light. The only other option is to use costly standalone diesel fuel systems to power crucial sources such as remote homes, telecommunications equipment and navigational devices.

As for wind power, ninety-nine wind farms already give Canada 1.1 percent of its electricity. Per the Canadian Wind Energy Association, this can increase to 55,000 MW in fifteen years and provide for twenty percent of Canadian electric power.

At the provincial level, some parts of Canada are already demonstrating the economy of renewable resources. Ontario recently passed the Green Energy and Green Economy Act of 2009. To give just one example of what the bill provides for, it will offer low- or no-interest loans to homeowners to purchase and install solar panels or other generators of renewable energy.

In British Columbia, GLOBE Foundation of Canada estimates the province’s recent turn to a green economy could be worth over 27 billion dollars by 2020. It is already responsible for 117,000 full time jobs and over 15 billion dollars of provincial GDP.

Canada already has the resources and the systems in place for renewable alternative energy. It remains for the nation to decide how fully it wishes to develop and integrate them into the global green market and economy grid.

Solar Power devices, green energy sources like the field of science is around every day. The children learn with fun optical equipment, telescopes and science lab equipment.