Province asks Albertans how to go green

The Alberta government is holding a series of public meetings across the province over the next month and a half on ways to create a greener province.

Environment Minister Rob Renner said Wednesday that the province wants to hear submissions on anything from how to deal with heavy emitters to whether energy efficient light bulbs should be used in homes.

"We're asking would you be willing to pay more for green power? Improve efficiency in your home? Replace furnaces? Install renewable energy systems, solar panels? When it's possible to build a green home today, should it be mandatory?"

Alberta's industry worst greenhouse gas emitters: report

The opposition parties call the consultations a public relations exercise.

The Liberals and the NDP are accusing the province of trying to shift attention away from heavy emitters and onto ordinary Albertans.

A new report shows that Alberta industries were the country's top greenhouse gas emitters in 2005.

The study, by Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, shows Alberta accounted for almost 40 per cent of all greenhouse gases released by major corporations that year.

Ontario was the next biggest offender at 28 per cent.

Renner believes heavy emitters will be taking responsibility now that new environmental legislation has been introduced, and now it's time to see what regular people can do.

Last week, the Alberta government introduced legislation requiring about 100 high-polluting companies to reduce their emissions output starting July 1.

"There's no silver bullet to climate change," he said.

"Climate change is real and it is going to take the participation of everyone if we're going to deal with it in a meaningful way."

Look to California for ideas: environmentalist

Jason Barbose, a global warming expert with an organization called Environment California, said his state has some of the most progressive environmental legislation in North America. The public can only do so much and industry can do more, he said.

"Government leaders, political elected officials, have a big role to play in ensuring that big polluters whether they're oilsands, whether they're other industries, are making real reductions in global warming solutions."

Barbose says if Alberta wants to look at some suggestions for green legislation, there is plenty to look at in California.

Total greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta have increased by 39.4 per cent, from 168.17 megatons in 1990 to 234.51 megatons in 2004, according to Environment Canada.