Winter is Coming

I was perusing my photos on flickr and realizing how beautiful this country is. We have yet to see our first real snow this year and I am already looking forward to spring. Actually I could pass on spring and go right to summer.

Maybe this winter I need to take some pictures and appreciate the beauty of winter.

Alberta Needs to Save

Some commentary from the CD Howe Institute on the need for Alberta to save more of its oil revenues.

Click on the "Alberta Needs to Save" title for the full report.

The Alberta Disgrace

Alberta Venture
The World’s Greatest Savers
Vol. 12 Issue 5
Story by Wes Lafortune

"In little more than a decade, Norway has saved nearly $400 billion from its oil windfall, repudiating what some call the “oil curse.” What Alberta could learn from this frugal northern nation?"

Nice story from Alberta Venture magazine.

A little local politics here so you'll have to excuse me if your location does not lead you to care.

A couple of facts clearly point out the disgrace.

Norway started their Petroleum Fund in 1996 and its value has now reached 390 billion dollars.

Alberta started their Heritage Trust Fund in 1976 and its value is currently 16.6 billion dollars.

That is the disgrace.

The hope lies in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Canada's proven oil reserves are now ranked second in the world with the recent inclusion of the Alberta oil sands in the total.

We Albertans still have the opportunity in front of us to do the right thing.

The question is, do we have the fortitude, leadership, and the will to make it happen?

The Oil Sands

Crude Oil Mining


Interesting how the media works, Suncor has been in production north of Fort McMurray, Alberta since 1967. One item on American television and suddenly everyone wants to know about the "oil sands".

The price of crude oil has a little to do with it I'm sure. :)

How the world's demand for oil, while at the same time demanding lower carbon emissions, is going to work out I don't know.

It seems to me if the world really wanted lower carbon emissions the demand for crude oil would be going down not up.

Does do as we say not as we do sound familiar?



The sub title language is also interesting.