The electricity blackout of 2003 was a reminder of how dependent we are on technology and how vulnerable we are to serious consequences of technology failures. Although advancements in technology have positive effects on our lives, we must include their possible failure in our emergency planning as we do for floods, fires, pandemics et cetera.
How do we mitigate the consequences of power failures? Making sure that we have battery operated lighting and other equipment, independent generators, and water and food supplies not requiring power to access or prepare, are obvious examples.
Although conservation efforts may not prevent an outage they would reduce the probability of one in part by reducing the load on transmission lines. More efficient appliances would also lessen demands on limited generators and fuel supplies during a blackout.
By building green generation capacity locally and linking it to essential services so that they could function off-grid would reduce the impact of a power failure. The added insurance of local power generation, especially during emergency situations, would make these electrical plants more economically attractive. More sources of power generation may help improve the operation of the electrical grid and reduce the risk of a system failure.
These factors provide us with additional reasons for developing green energy projects in addition to;
-They can stimulate the economy and reduce our carbon footprint.
-They would give back savings to mitigate the debt loads associated with stimulus spending.
-By helping to control utility costs they would contribute to keeping our local businesses competitive.-They would be one step in learning to live in the “Post Expansion Age”.
Fred Twilley
Friday, August 21, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
About Your Green Party Candidate
On June 11, 2009 I was chosen to be the Green Party candidate for the Sudbury riding. This is a privilege and a responsibility that I will work hard to fulfill. In this introduction I hope to illustrate why I am a good choice for this important job.
I was born in 1945, raised and educated in Toronto. After a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Geology, I earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Toronto became a Professional engineer in 1972. After moving to Sudbury in 1970, I worked for Falconbridge Ltd (now Xstrata Ltd) until 1999 and have since done contract work for Falconbridge and First Nickel. Geology has taught me a lot about our planet’s long term environmental evolution and the potential consequences of humanity’s influence on its finite biosphere. Business education has equipped me with enough understanding to state with conviction that we can have a healthy economy and live within the environmental capacity of the earth.
Having been raised by parents that survived the depression, I have always been thrifty and practiced reduce, reuse, restore and recycle when that option became available.
In my home life and career in geology my adherence to these principles often put me at odds whith others. In every decision of significance every day I try to think of the true costs of my choices and how to minimize them. It is part of my inner nature. I often try to convey my thinking to others, and occasionally learn that it is not appreciated.
As a young person I readily communicated with friends and strangers in almost all social environments. Over many years I learned to speak in front of large groups of people and communicate and listen effectively. In debates and with media I can handle tough questions. This is largely due to the comprehensive well thought out policies and information available from the Green Party. Through my volunteering for the Red Cross, Restorative Justice, and Victims Crisis Assistance and Referral Service, I have gained an invaluable appreciation for the numbers of people in need and some understanding of their needs.
The problems we face will require combined knowledge and intellect of many people. Although I am very proud of my education and experience, I recognize that I am only one member of a like minded group that needs to work together as a team to bring about the necessary changes. There is certainly a wide range of opinion of when and how much change is needed. There is very little dispute that big changes will eventually be necessary. The sooner we start these changes the less detrimental the consequences will be. I invite you all to join the team.
Yours sincerely,
Fred Twilley.
I was born in 1945, raised and educated in Toronto. After a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Geology, I earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Toronto became a Professional engineer in 1972. After moving to Sudbury in 1970, I worked for Falconbridge Ltd (now Xstrata Ltd) until 1999 and have since done contract work for Falconbridge and First Nickel. Geology has taught me a lot about our planet’s long term environmental evolution and the potential consequences of humanity’s influence on its finite biosphere. Business education has equipped me with enough understanding to state with conviction that we can have a healthy economy and live within the environmental capacity of the earth.
Having been raised by parents that survived the depression, I have always been thrifty and practiced reduce, reuse, restore and recycle when that option became available.
In my home life and career in geology my adherence to these principles often put me at odds whith others. In every decision of significance every day I try to think of the true costs of my choices and how to minimize them. It is part of my inner nature. I often try to convey my thinking to others, and occasionally learn that it is not appreciated.
As a young person I readily communicated with friends and strangers in almost all social environments. Over many years I learned to speak in front of large groups of people and communicate and listen effectively. In debates and with media I can handle tough questions. This is largely due to the comprehensive well thought out policies and information available from the Green Party. Through my volunteering for the Red Cross, Restorative Justice, and Victims Crisis Assistance and Referral Service, I have gained an invaluable appreciation for the numbers of people in need and some understanding of their needs.
The problems we face will require combined knowledge and intellect of many people. Although I am very proud of my education and experience, I recognize that I am only one member of a like minded group that needs to work together as a team to bring about the necessary changes. There is certainly a wide range of opinion of when and how much change is needed. There is very little dispute that big changes will eventually be necessary. The sooner we start these changes the less detrimental the consequences will be. I invite you all to join the team.
Yours sincerely,
Fred Twilley.
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