As a retired member of Calgary's oil patch alumni, I recognized that the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions would impact the Alberta economy. But after seeing tens of thousands of people thrown out of work over the past two years due to collapsed oil prices, I now believe a more cautious approach that balances the environment with employment is necessary to avoid awkward dislocation. The gradually increasing national price on carbon is the right approach and will change the public's over-reliance on fossil fuels over time.