Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today is on the issue of energy strategy in the Northwest Territories. Energy requirements and environmental concerns are issues which impact us daily, in ways such as the significant increase in gasoline and home heating fuel costs that we are now experiencing. We are also undergoing significantly warmer temperatures that have an impact on both the human and wildlife populations of the Northwest Territories.
It is too bad, Mr. Speaker, that generally, the population, especially in the Americas, is not interested in changing its consumptive lifestyle to any significant degree. We will suffer the negative environmental impacts of lifestyles and developments well beyond our borders. From an environmental perspective, we do not feel the negative impacts of development until many years in the future.
Our own experience is evidenced by the environmental legacy here in our own backyard, Mr. Speaker, Giant Mine and other environmental problems. Global warming is an undisputable fact, evident in the significant temperature increase and thinning of the polar ice pack.
However, we have evidence, Mr. Speaker, that we can make a difference. The Minister responsible for the Power Corporation has drawn to our attention the Corporation's improvement in its environmental record. A major achievement was the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of almost 14 percent from 1990 levels.
These reductions have been achieved through hydro development, more efficient diesel use, natural gas and wind energy use. These measures have resulted in a reduction of our diesel fuel consumption of more than 50 percent in the past five years. I applaud these efforts by the Corporation and the government.
Forecasted economic growth in the mining and oil and gas sectors presents additional opportunities to make a difference. Our efforts at energy conservation and environmental protection may be insignificant in a global context, but we should demonstrate leadership in the Northwest Territories.
In conjunction with the opportunities before us, Mr. Speaker, attention must be paid to environmental concerns and responsibilities, and we can press this point. We need a clear, integrated policy with regard to energy development and management so that our children are not paying for our economic and environmental mistakes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.