Locke’d
by Elijah Dean
A cinematic musical piece on the oilfield’s human cost, Canada’s wild beauty, and a stewardship ethic drawn from John Locke.
About this work
My piece poetically addresses the significance of the Canadian energy sector by illustrating its monumental impact on the Canadian economy, especially in provinces whose economies are largely dependent on oil and gas, like Alberta. Moreover, it explores how the oilfield has a tremendous impact on thousands of workers, and how the loss of an occupation in that field can have devastating effects on individuals and their families.
However, the project also calls attention to the wild beauty of Canada and how that raw, untamed charm ought to be protected. Thus, the oilfield must act responsibly, but so must renewable solutions. Renewables can also cause environmental harm when not properly utilized, and this is something to be cautious of. Wind energy can affect bird populations. Solar energy can have adverse effects on native vegetation and wildlife. And hydro energy dams can significantly impact a river’s ecosystem.
In short, practically all forms of energy extraction can have negative environmental impacts if not calculated and carried out correctly. Lastly, my piece addresses how polarizing this issue is and seeks to examine the philosophical stances both sides of the aisle are promoting, and what truths can be gleaned from each. This ultimately leads to a synthesis that boldly supports John Locke’s biblical conception of stewardship.
