Let's Talk Tidal Power (in-person event)
Event Recording
Event Summary
by Jenna Noble, Saint Mary’s University Service Learning Student
On April 1, 2019, NSEN was proud to partner with the Halifax Central Library to host ‘Let’s Talk Tidal Power: What’s Happening in the Bay of Fundy?’ to engage the public on Nova Scotia’s tidal energy sector. The event featured a panel of seven experts with a broad range of perspectives on tidal power, including academia, industry, government, fisheries, and First Nations. This provided a rare opportunity for the 200 people in attendance to engage in a balanced discussion with key stakeholders on this important subject.
Panelists:
Darren Porter (Fisheries representative)
Dr. Graham Daborn (Acadia University)
Colin Sproul (Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association)
Jon Woods (Minas Energy)
Tony Wright (FORCE)
Mike Wambolt (DFO)
Melissa Nevin (Atlantic Policy Congress)
The event began with some opening words from Mi’kmaw Elder Thomas Christmas and some educational videos on the cultural significance of the Bay of Fundy, provided by Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre:
Creation of Kluksap: https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/ancestors-live-here/blomidon/the-creation-of-kluskap-and-the-mikmaq/
Advocate Harbour: https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/ancestors-live-here/advocate-harbour/
Five Islands: https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/ancestors-live-here/five-islands/
Each stakeholder introduced themselves, and provided a unique perspective on the ways Nova Scotia utilizes its energy, and how it could be beneficial to look to other sources of energy, such as tidal energy.
There were discussions on fossil fuels, and how about 70% of Nova Scotia’s energy is still being sourced from burning fossil fuels that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
The need to make changes in the ways that we produce electricity is necessary and can be altered with the use of tidal energy.
Three questions were addressed during this panel discussion, the first was is tidal energy viable? Secondly, will it be affordable? And third, will it be reliable? These questions are crucial to understand when looking at changing the way we process our energy in Nova Scotia.
It was mentioned that young people are a large part of the public sector, and are needed to provide new solutions, ideas and opinions so as to make a change within their own communities, stressing the importance of engaging the public on topics like these.
Using advice and connecting with actual regulators, industries and academics on a global scale has produced useful information that can be utilized throughout the province. The data transferability framework was also addressed and considered important in the design process, and science evidence based decisions allow for a precautionary approach.
Over the last ten years, the province has been looking at different ways of capturing the energy that we need, such as wind turbines which utilize wind power. This is where the discussion of tidal power comes in, as it is similar in the ways that it uses natural forces to produce energy.
We heard from a fisheries stakeholder, who addressed potential issues regarding tidal power, and the risk it poses for aquatic species and habitats. It is necessary to hear varying opinions so as to potentially form ideas around how these risks could be mitigated, whilst still implementing clean energy processes.
There was discussion of climate change, and rising sea-levels affecting Mi'kmaw communities, as well as global warming and how this is affecting aquatic species, enforcing the importance of producing an approach that is both sustainable and safe regarding the environment, wildlife, Mi’kmaw communities, and all others involved.
Funding for this program was provided by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation and Global Affairs Canada.
