The sun may have begun to fall on fossils.
The fuel era is rising in the era of clean energy.
Decades later, when historians tried to clear the boundaries between the two periods, 2015 was probably the most obvious demarcation point.
In the past 12 months
The fuel stripping movement reached a critical mass, witnessing the United StatesS.
The president put his political capital behind climate action, marking the first time a sitting pope has issued a circular devoted to climate change --
In fact, turning climate action into a moral obligation for billions of people around the world
And Roman Catholics.
There is no doubt that the defining moment is the Paris climate summit in December. When 196 countries come together to show unprecedented solidarity and promise to effectively achieve CO2 removal in the second half of the century.
They are also working to keep global warming at levels "well below" 2 degrees Celsius, and many scientists believe climate change could be an uncontrollable and unimaginable threat to humanity.
"We are entering the trough --
After the agreement was approved, French President Francois Hollande said.
He called it a critical moment for a "strong, irreversible movement.
Global binding climate agreement
Although it may not be perfect
Here are the expectations of Canadians for the coming year.
Canada: a new climate plan Canada needs to answer many questions in 2016, including how the country plans to move forward in line with the commitments agreed in Paris.
Will it keep emissions?
Is Harper's government setting targets for emissions reduction or is it setting more ambitious targets?
Will it establish a lower carbon price limit that all provinces need to meet, though in their own way? (
Given that the provinces that make up 90 of the population have announced carbon emissions, it is not difficultpricing plans. )
Trudeau's government says billions of dollars will be allocated for climate change
Friendly infrastructure projects from transport to clean energy.
When will the money begin to flow and what will it Fund?
Will Trudeau follow through on his idea of financing infrastructure by issuing green bonds, and if so, how will this work?
Does the plan include closer cooperation with the United States and explore ways in which Canada exports cleaner electricity south of the border?
Trudeau vowed to meet with the prime minister and regional leaders within 90 days of the Paris conference to develop a comprehensive
Canada's framework for tackling climate change.
That means there's a lot to do in the next 10 weeks.
In the West: The continued slump in low oil prices has caused problems for the Canadian dollar.
Canadian exporters will benefit from the economic transformation, but from food, electronics to clothing, consumers will feel the rising prices of imported products.
The slowdown in Alberta's oil market means economic pain for many.
That is why, in 2016, economic diversity will be a major theme, and oil prices may fall even lower.
Speaking at the Paris climate summit, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, fatich Birol, said weak oil demand and increased supply meant the oil industry would face a difficult year, with investment falling more than in 2015.
More cuts are expected.
Birol said he was worried that low oil prices would slow down the shift to low oil prices. carbon economy.
"We have been telling the government that as fossil fuel prices get cheaper, reducing support for renewable energy and efficiency will be a historic mistake.
"Ontario: before the start of the Paris climate summit, a dark patch of green Ontario released its own climate plan. A carbon cap-and-
Under the plan, the trade plan will be part of the climate legislation introduced in 2016.
The province also stressed the need to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation and buildings and help communities adapt to climate change. But apart from high
Increased support for electric vehicles and level discussions to drive more energy
Efficient building, there will still be a lot of detail in 2016.
What are these details, who they affect, and how initiatives are funded, will lead the discussion and establish Ontario in the pan-
Canadian climate framework.
Ontario will also complete its first major competitive procurement
The scale of solar and wind projects in 2016.
The province will have the opportunity to see the market for the first time --
The basic cost of developing solar energy, so far, solar energy has been heavily subsidized under feed
In the tariff plan
This is also the first time that Ontario Power Generation has been allowed to bid for large power generation companies in partnership with SunEdison
Scale of renewable energy development.
The company hopes to win a contract to build three solar power plants with a total power generation of 130 MW.
If approved, solar panels will be installed on the grounds of retired coal
Coal-fired power plants in nantikirk and Langton.
The £ 2016 Outer card is that Ontario will consider lifting the unreasonable suspension of offshore wind development in the Great Lakes region, but do not hold your breath at this point.
A green year for commercial batteries: Energy storage proved its value a while ago, the Ontario Electric Power Authority called advanced energy storage an "interesting technology" worth monitoring ".
In other words, it was publicly acknowledged but dismissed in private.
Many changes have taken place in recent years. Lithium-
For example, the Ion battery follows the same cost-
As a reduction curve for solar technology and some other storage technologies-
From wheels to flow batteries to compressed batteriesair systems —
Significant progress has been made.
Fast in California.
The reaction natural gas "peaker" plant was once the golden standard for managing the variable nature of solar and wind energy and maintaining a balance between supply and demand.
Today, utilities are also likely to choose energy storage for the job.
This is a path that Ontario wants to follow.
In addition to utilities, it is expected that more homeowners and businesses will invest in energy storage in 2016, which is also a highlight of Tesla's car.
Canada has launched a highly respected Powerwall battery system.
In October, when it indicated the battery system in its new Chevrolet Bolt, speeding GM surprised many people
Electric vehicles entered the dealership market in 2016 at about $145 per kilowatt. hour.
Given that the average cost is between $300 and $400, this is a huge breakthrough.
Citigroup, UBS and McKinsey, a consulting firm, predict that the $200 milestone will reach between $2020 and $ in 2017, so GM's revelation is striking. opening.
Also, given that Citigroup has called for $230, electric vehicles are starting to pose a serious threat to conventional gasoline at this point --
Fuel cars. Lower-
The cost of electric vehicles will not be the only story in 2016 --
Consumers will also have more varieties.
Chrysler is expected to launch its first electric minivan in North America and release its Town and Country plug
Mitsubishi Olander plugged in a hybridin hybrid —a top-
Sellers in Europe
This will be the first electric SUV in Canada.
There are also rumors that Nissan may release its popular electronics. NV200 all-
Electric van in North America
What's more certain is that a new, longer
Nissan Leaf series with plug
Hybrid options will be provided.
Hyundai and Kia will also launch new plugs
In the 2016 model, we will also be in the long-term of Tesla.
Long awaited quality of Model IIImarket sedan.
Solar: the best place to burn solar power in Alberta, Canada is in southern Alberta, so when Prime Minister Rachel nortelly released the province's climate plan in November, the solar industry can hear collective cheers.
The plan requires carbon prices, caps and phases for oil sands emissionsout of coal-
Generate electricity by 2030. The coal phase-
This means that the province will be heavily dependent on renewable energy and is expected to account for Alberta's power structure within 15 years.
Wind power and hydropower will be an important part of it.
The difference is that Alberta has never taken solar energy seriously.
But with policy shifts, combined with a significant reduction in the cost of solar technology, Alberta will see the sun rising in 2016.
Power developer GTE power has planned to install nearly 60,000 solar panels outside the Brooks community.
The project will be built on 78 acres of land and will be able to generate 15 MW of electricity on sunny days.
Protest: After
As a result of the Paris summit, the activists and other civil society groups disagreed.
Some argue that the agreement is a symbolic victory that lays the foundation for strong climate action, while others argue that the agreement is weak and lacks ambition.
The Climate Justice group has declared it a hoax.
Where they are united, they believe that public protests and civil disobedience are more important than ever, and 2016 will see an increase in such behavior.
Their needs are a complete phase.
By 2050, all fossil fuels had been burned by a sharp shift to renewable energy.
350 and other militant groups in Paris.
International organizations and Greenpeace have warned that there could be massive global protests within a week
Fuel blockades, massive street demonstrations and the occupation of the headquarters of oil and coal companies.
Even banks financing fossil fuel projects will be targeted.
Compared to what we will see in 2016, the Keystone XL protests will look mild.
When he refused Keystone, the United StatesS.
President Barack Obama has injected new energy into what now seems like an unstoppable movement.
This article is part of a series of articles written by Toronto Star and Canadian tidal Corporation to address Canada's pressing climate issues before and after the United Nations climate summit in Paris.
Tides Canada supports this partnership to raise public awareness and dialogue on the impact of climate change on Canada's economy and communities.
The Toronto Star has complete editorial control and responsibility to ensure that the story is strictly edited to meet editorial standards.