I feel passionate about Alberta’s energy transition because it presents a huge opportunity in the province for the recovery and growth of the Canadian economy while also combating the effects of climate change. Combining the expertise and skills of our energy sector with incentives in hydrogen and carbon capture, we can become a global supplier of affordable clean energy. Our industry can leverage its leading position in responsible development to differentiate itself globally and attract investment.

I am particularly interested in decarbonizing our cities because 70% of global emissions can be attributed to cities through electricity generation, heating and cooling buildings, transportation, and waste. By 2050, it is estimated that 68% of the population will be living in urban areas, so we must adapt to the needs of the increasing population and the challenges associated with rapid urbanization while ensuring this will not exacerbate existing social inequalities.

Getting involved with the right organization keeps me motivated by connecting with like-minded individuals who are engaged and dedicated to driving positive impact.  I feel especially energized during election season to get involved in my community because politicians are more likely to listen to your concerns when they are campaigning. For example, through my involvement with the Calgary Climate Hub’s non-partisan election campaign, we created several engagement tools to connect with voters, candidates, and other organizations to ensure a fair energy transition plan is a priority for the next group of decision-makers in Calgary. Several partner organizations assisted us in developing a candidates questionnaire, all-candidates forum, and town halls to ensure the top priority concerns of Calgarians are addressed. We also met with individual candidates in small groups to build relationships, find common ground, ask questions, and share our vision for the city we want to live in. 

As leaders of the next generation, we must envision bold ideas to respond to global challenges which are too daunting for any one individual or organization to tackle on its own. We need to break out of our silos and form cross-sector collaborations and partnerships to achieve a sustainable, prosperous, and equitable future. For me, this looks like oil and gas companies being part of the solution to our low-carbon future.