Decarbonization is the buzzword. Most countries want to give pride of place to renewable energies and fight against global warming.
The day after his election victory, Prime Minister François Legault announced his colors by combining the portfolios of Economy and Innovation with that of Energy to entrust them to the same minister.
Further from Quebec, Russia’s war against Ukraine is having an impact on every household in Europe struggling with a deficient supply of gas in view of the winter and a galloping rise in energy prices.
To see clearly on the major energy issues of the moment, the book Until more thirsty – Oil-gas-wind-solar: energy issues and conflicts, by Yvan Cliche, has just been published by Fides editions. It should appeal both to the curious who wish to improve their knowledge and to experts.
Far from being didactic, this book dissects complex issues in well-crafted sentences. We dive with appetite into the historical part covering the entire XXe century.
Energy specialist at the Center for International Studies and Research of the University of Montreal (CERIUM) and regular contributor to the Debates section of The PressYvan Cliche offers a book in two parts: a complete and detailed historical section which sets out the situation before presenting the perspectives of current geopolitical issues with the emergence of solar and wind energy and the need to reduce the environmental impact of our energy consumption.
The book begins with a comprehensive presentation of the energy policies of the major states of the contemporary world, recalling the importance of energy in our modern lives. Without energy, we cannot heat our homes, light our schools, power our hospitals.
19th century industrializatione century has prompted the search for new forms of energy. Coal was quickly overtaken by oil, although it never really disappeared. It is still widely used, but its accessibility makes it a source of choice in some countries.
It was the First World War that would consecrate oil as the main issue in international relations, according to Yvan Cliche. As the century progresses, control over the supply of oil will create and break empires.
At the same time, the birth of the world’s major oil companies is told. We see the stages of colonization in the twentiethe century which are then juxtaposed with the destinies of these “Seven Sisters” who are spreading all over the world to exploit black gold.
This story, told in short stories with catchy angles, takes the reader from the middle of the 19e century until the outbreak of war in Ukraine, including the rise of China as the world’s leading manufacturer and new major consumer of energy.
Optimistic, despite everything
The long observation of the damage caused by overconsumption on our ecosystems as well as the difficulty for certain countries to obtain oil supplies are at the source of the search for possible solutions for cleaner, more accessible energies, less likely to trigger Conflicts.
This is where the CERIUM expert opens up avenues for reflection on the future. An optimistic outlook under the circumstances. Unlike oil, which is found in limited quantities in certain specific corners of the globe, each country has access to the sun and the winds.
Over the coming decades, the use of electricity produced by sustainable sources will have to take a more prominent place in energy policies. By their intermittent nature – the sun and the wind not always being present everywhere on the planet – these energies call for greater interdependence between the countries which will also be concerned to ensure their protection.
And Quebec in all this? With its access to hydroelectricity and the advent of wind power, the Quebec state seems to be in a good position for the next energy challenges of the 21st century.e century.
Many challenges. How can we reduce our thirst for oil, meet our needs with renewable energy while opting for reasoned consumption? Reflection is required.
Until more thirsty – Oil-gas-wind-solar: energy issues and conflicts
Yvan Cliche
Fides Editions
272 pages
Extract
Oil and its associate, gas, manage to place themselves at the center of vast conflicts, as we saw with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Russian oil is no more and no less the tool of war financing from Moscow, and gas, its political weapon to subjugate Europe, which depends on it for 40% of its consumption.
Who is Yvan Cliche?
The author is a fellow and energy specialist at the Center for International Studies and Research at the University of Montreal CERIUM. He worked for a long time as a commercial delegate at Hydro-Québec (Montreal) as well as at the African Development Bank (Tunis). He is the author of numerous articles for 30 years in the media related to energy and international affairs and contributes regularly to the Debates section of The Press.