Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Oversized Sunglasses for Women Buy Now
Under Armour UA Tech™ Team ½ Zip Buy Now
Hoowel Smart Watch for Men and Women Buy Now
Lenovo Tab M9-2023 - Tablet - Long Battery Life Buy Now
Womens Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans Buy Now
Men's Cotton Cardigan Buy Now
Steel Toe Lightweight Shoes Buy Now
AUROLA Seamless Scrunch Leggings Buy Now
OQQ Women's 2 Piece Skirts Buy Now
Womens Flower Wedge Sandals Buy Now
GoPro HERO13 Black: 5.3K Action Camera Buy Now
Gymreapers Weightlifting Wrist Wraps Buy Now
Classic Quartz Resin Casual Watch Buy Now
The Psychology of Money Buy Now
Gold Jewelry Set 49pc Buy Now
Medicube Age-R Pro Glass Skin Massager Buy Now
Fire TV 50 inch 4K Smart TV with Alexa Buy Now
Bomber Jacket: Lightweight, Stylish for Spring/Fall Buy Now
Tracksuits Sweatsuits for Men Buy Now
Mens Golf Pants Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
It's not 1973 all over again

It's not 1973 all over again

CBC
Friday, October 29, 2021 7:21 PM GMT

In 1973 OPEC members in the Middle East imposed an oil embargo on Western nations, leading to the "oil shock," as stations ran out of gas and a global economic crisis ensued. It was a shocking reminder of our dependence on oil.

But more significantly, it made us take a long look at ways to wean ourselves off oil, much as we're trying to do today. 

After 1973 energy efficiency became the new buzzword. In some places highway speed limits were lowered to reduce fuel consumption. North American auto companies found their large, gas guzzling vehicles no longer popular as people moved to smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient Japanese and European models to squeeze more out of a litre of gas. 

At the same time, research into alternative energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, geothermal and hydrogen energy intensified. A new public ethos developed around the hope of a green energy future free from fossil fuels. 

That was almost half a century ago.

Of course after the shock of 1973, the oil supply crisis faded. OPEC opened the taps. New reserves were discovered, through offshore exploration and new developments in many places, including North America — Alberta was a major player in this.The focus on alternatives waned. 

But today, clean energy is back in favour not because of any shortage in oil supply, but because we are burning too much of it.

As we face the dramatic effects of climate change, the good news is that we've profited from the basic research into green energy technology done back in the 1970's and 80's. There are no new inventions needed to decarbonize our society, just improvements and deployment of technologies we already have. In fact, even though it has been in the background, clean technology has seen incredible development over the last half century.

Batteries, an enabling technology for many renewable energy systems, have evolved dramatically. This has driven the development of electric vehicles, with major manufacturers following the example of Tesla and releasing new fully electric models.

A couple of symbolic shifts can be seen in Ford's new lineup.  The company that was a significant pioneer in manufacturing gasoline-powered vehicles more than a century ago with the Model T has two high profile electric models. There's a new electric Mustang, a successor to one of the original gas-guzzling muscle cars. Ford is also introducing an electric version of its immensely popular F-150 pickup. 

As more electric vehicles enter the market, economies of scale should mean that costs will come down. Subsidies, regulation, and the increasing costs associated with fossil fuel vehicles should make electric cars more accessible to the average driver. They're getting closer every day.

According to the International Energy Agency, there were 10 million electric cars on the world's roads in 2020, a 41 per cent increase in new registrations from the year before. That number is expected to rise to 140 million by 2030.

To help provide electricity for all those new vehicles, renewable electrical generation is growing and developing. Wind turbines have grown to enormous proportions with the world's most powerful, the GE Haliade-X offshore unit, standing 248 metres, more than twice the height of the Peace Tower in Ottawa.  It can generate 14 megawatts of electricity, which, according to GE, means just one turn of the rotor can power an average European home for two days.

China's MingYang Smart Energy has unveiled plans for an even larger unit, which they claim can put out 16 megawatts — enough to power 20,000 homes over its 25 year lifespan. These massive units benefit from the efficiency that size brings.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Canadian technology could be used to mine the deep seas, but there's growing alarm over the risks

In dark waters near Collingwood, Ont., a giant yellow machine with metallic claws precisely snatches tiny rock balls from the lakebed, kicking up sediment with each grab. 

What we know about measles during pregnancy

The death of an Ontario infant born prematurely and infected with measles through the mother is raising questions about how the virus is transmitted during pregnancy.

Work underway to measure the quality of life of Nova Scotians with disabilities

In Nova Scotia, where there's a significant proportion of people living with disabilities, work is underway to measure whether the province is making progress on improving their lives.

Life is 'better after solar': Harnessing sunlight gives India's salt farmers freedom and profit

Under a punishing midday sun, Devabhai Sawadiya slowly rakes the salt pan that has been in his family for generations. It's quiet around him, except for the sweeping motions of his salt broom and the soft, clinking sound of dishes being washed nearby. 

Some rape crisis centres report spike in calls since start of Hockey Canada sexual assault trial

WARNING: This article references sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone impacted by it.

A brisk walk a few times a week could help keep colon cancer away, study suggests

James Smith woke up from a colonoscopy to be told devastating news. At 59, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors found a mass so large it completely blocked their view of the rest of his colon. Smith said he was shocked.

Daughter of First Nations woman missing 20 years remembers her mother's 'warm hands'

Stephanie Cameron-Johnson was 11 and in foster care when she learned her mother had gone missing on Vancouver Island, after a friend showed her a photo in a newspaper.

How much does your gut health impact your overall health? A lot, doctors say

You may be hearing a lot about the gut microbiome these days — it's been mentioned everywhere, from wellness podcasts to the grocery aisle. Doctors are tapping into it to try to treat some diseases differently.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Obstetrical, gynecological care patient complaints on the rise in Ontario, says patient ombudsman

New data shows more people are filing complaints about obstetrical and gynecological care in Ontario, with insensitivity, poor communication and lack of trauma awareness among the most common grievances.

Why did this outfit by a Blackfoot designer lead to controversy… and what does she think about it?

A Blackfoot designer says she was shocked when her latest collection received backlash online over sexualization of Indigenous women and inappropriate use of traditional medicines. 

'The missing link': New early tyrannosaur species discovered by Calgary researchers

Scientists from the University of Calgary have discovered a new dinosaur specimen that they say appears to be the "missing link" in the evolution of tyrannosaurs.

First Nations opposition continues after passing of Ontario's Bill 5

Many First Nations people in Ontario are continuing protests following the passing of Bill 5 in Ontario last week.

B.C. Mountie loses bid to stay obstruction of justice charge connected to 2017 death of Indigenous man

A Prince George RCMP officer has lost a bid to stay an obstruction of justice charge and will now be sentenced, in a case connected to the 2017 death of an Indigenous man in custody.

Preventable deaths, violent attacks: doctor alleges deteriorating conditions at Fraser Health hospitals

An emergency room physician is blowing the whistle on deteriorating conditions in hospitals managed by B.C.'s Fraser Health Authority — claiming in a lawsuit that her job was threatened after she and other doctors sought to warn patients about a potentially dangerous situation.

Millions of seahorses worth $29M smuggled illegally, study finds

Nearly five million smuggled seahorses were seized globally by authorities over a 10-year period, Canadian researchers found, warning it's only the "tip of the iceberg" in an illegal trade that is likely far larger in scale.

This 40-foot serpent sculpture in Vancouver is a reclamation of Squamish and Japanese art

James Nexw'Kalus-Xwalacktun Harry, a Squamish artist, and Lauren Brevner of Japanese and Trinidadian heritage, have been collaborating on art pieces for a decade.

2 new species of crayfish identified in Pacific Northwest — and they're already at risk

Two new species of crayfish have been identified in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, and researchers say both species are vulnerable to extinction.

Seasonique birth control pills from Teva Canada recalled due to extra yellow tablets

Health Canada issued a recall notice on Friday for some Seasonique birth control products due to some packages containing the correct blue-green pills coming with extraneous yellow tablets.

These families left the Mackenzie Delta for Yukon, and a chance to pursue their hockey dreams

Thirteen-year-old William Gruben said when he first moved from Inuvik, N.W.T., to Whitehorse in August 2024, he missed his friends back home. 

Anniversary of 'Red Paper' highlights First Nations' fight against assimilation

A grassroots group in Edmonton honoured those who stood up for First Nations rights back in 1970 when the Canadian government was proposing to erase legal distinctions between First Nations and other citizens, at an event Wednesday. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us