Neil McCallum

The Energy Futures Lab is all about transitioning Alberta’s energy system for a sustainable future. But what do we mean by the “energy system” exactly? Are we talking about oil and gas or renewables or both? What about the electricity generation and transmission infrastructure? All of those are part of the system. But those are talking about physical things, raw materials and their transportation. What about how we actually use energy?

Energy Futures Lab Director Chad Park speaks to GLOBE 2016 attendees at the Walrus Talks Energy event. Chad’s talk challenges the simplistic approach of ‘with us or against us’ debates, and calls for new dialogue to enable the transition to a carbon competitive economy.

This past Sunday I attended briefings and the big announcement about Alberta’s new Climate Leadership Plan. Many friends of the Energy Futures Lab (EFL) were also in attendance – Fellows, partners, and Steering Committee members. I was asked on a number of occasions, “what does this mean for the Energy Futures Lab?”

The desire to shape the future, not just cope with it or react to it, is deeply embedded in Alberta’s culture. Executive Director of the Natural Step, Chad Park, discusses the opportunities ahead for Alberta – and how the Energy Futures Lab is seizing the moment.

Read the official launch announcement for the Energy Futures Lab.

As Alberta begins grappling with the energy challenges of the 21st century, Alex Nnamonu, Executive Director of Major Legislative Project and Strategic Planning at Alberta Municipal Affairs is thinking beyond technology, beyond numbers. He’s thinking about soccer.

As the reality of sliding oil prices settled in last year, Premier Jim Prentice described the province’s fiscal situation as “the most challenging financial and economic circumstances we’ve seen in our province in a generation.”