Researcher presents renewable energy plan for the Maritimes [video]

Energy systems analyst Ralph Torrie was in Fredericton recently to present his research to the public about a renewable energy plan for the Maritimes. Torrie’s work on energy in the Maritimes is part of a major Corporate Knights project, Climate Dollars, which shows that solving the climate emergency would cost less than perpetuating the polluting, 20th-century energy system we have today.

As research director for Corporate Knights, Torrie’s analysis for the Climate Dollars project lays out the capital investments needed to set a realistic path for a zero-emission economy by 2050. The Climate Dollars project report is expected to be published soon.

Over the past four decades, Torrie has helped governments, corporations, and communities worldwide navigate the transition to a low-carbon sustainable future. His focus is turning the climate challenge into an innovation and economic opportunity.

Ralph Torrie’s visit to New Brunswick and public presentation on October 23 was co-hosted by the CEDAR project and the Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SEST) Program at St. Thomas University in partnership with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB), Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB), New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance (NBASGA), Council of Canadians Fredericton Chapter, Fredericton Community Climate Hub, and the Fredericton Public Library. Ralph Torrie’s talk at the library was recorded and edited by Drew Gilbert.

Correction: Following the publication of this video, Ralph Torrie noted that he misspoke during his presentation. He referred to New Brunswick’s future population reaching 10.5 million by 2050; in fact, the projected figure is 1.05 million. Updated at 3:20 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2025.