Kyoto Protocol, Canada's Commitment

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The Kyoto Protocol, Canada's Commitment.

The Kyoto target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is different for each country. The target for Canada, was set at only six per cent at the time the agreement was signed. Canada has since allowed emissions to increase since 1990 to the point where Canada is actually now required to reduce emissions by about 18 per cent from 2007 levels. The task may be a bit harder but is achievable.

The Kyoto Protocol requires industrial nations that fail to meet their Kyoto targets to compensate with accelerated rates of emission reduction after 2013. They will also have a reduced ability to take advantage of “flexibility” mechanisms such as international emissions trading after 2013. Canada needs to act on reducing emissions quickly and severely or the consequences will be far greater in 5 or 6 years.

Canada, the second largest country in land size, is a country with only half of one per cent of the world's population. In 2007, Canadians produced about 700 megatonnes of greenhouse gases, about two per cent of total global emissions, or 23.6 tonnes per person, per year. Most of Canada's emissions come from wasteful energy use. Up to now, energy in Canada has been relatively inexpensive and plentiful.

Canada needs to take action to reduce emissions. As Canadians, we have an opportunity to be world leaders in innovation and energy efficiency. We can meet our Kyoto targets. We have the technologies, what we need are the incentives, the leadership. Our governments, both federal and provincial, must stop the political rhetoric and get on with meaningful action. Many initiatives will be unpopular with a lot of the public but they need to be enacted. The question is; “Are we, the Canadian public, willing to accept responsibility for our part of the damage we are causing the environment?”

Other Canadian Environmental Effects:

Approximately 90% of the Canadian population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border, which has led to urban development on the most productive agricultural land. This urbanization has created air pollution which is both Canada sourced and cross border sourced, resulting in acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on agricultural and forest productivity; and ocean and lake waters becoming contaminated due to urban, agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities.

The apprehension towards Kyoto and other environment solutions of, not only Canada but all western nations, is maintaining our quality of life and economic growth. Look around, we have come a long way already. We drive more fuel efficient vehicles. We live in more energy efficient homes. Most larger communities are building better transit systems. Waste water and sewage treatment facilities are being created or expanded and improved. Even the small things like compact fluorescent light bulbs go a long way. Have we lost any standard of living? Canada is still gaining economically.

Kyoto doesn't have to be a detriment. On the contrary, eco-standards and environmental protection can be a bonus. Healthier living. Job creation. Legacy building. Resource futures. These all create a more livable Canadian and world wide community. It is our hope for a sustainable future.

Approximately 30% of Canada's emission cuts needed are the responsibility of individual Canadians. In order to achieve our Kyoto commitments it will take an environment awareness and a lifestyle direction change on behalf of every citizen. The way we shop and what we shop for. How we drive and the vehicle we drive in. The home we live in, its type, its size, its location. Our willingness to reduce, recycle and reuse.

The federal government tried voluntary incentives and challenged industry to cut back and become more energy efficient. A few tried but a lot fewer succeeded with most industry sectors increasing their overall energy demands. Governments need to update standards and provide performance-based incentives for industry, building owners and homeowners to invest in more energy efficient technologies.

Canadian communities need to invest in eco-friendly infrastructure. Commit to the reduction of auto transport. Create more green space. Halt building expansion on farmland and forest land. Encourage community living.

In terms of natural resources, Canada is greatly blessed, …agriculture, coal, diamonds, fish, gold, hydropower, lead, molybdenum, natural gas, petroleum, potash, silver, timber, wildlife. Along with that tremendous harvest of natural resources comes responsibility. The methods used to extract and gather, methods used to refine and process, methods used to deliver and transport, all require the most efficient and eco-friendly technologies available.

Where do our natural resources finally end up?

It is not enough just to extract and export or to extract, refine and export. If the end user is over contributing to global warming, not using the best technology available, the end results will remain the same and the Kyoto Protocol will become of no effect. Should Canada allow exports to countries with insufficient pollution standards? We can no longer play the resource game just for profit. Curbing emissions in Canada is of no account if we allow other countries to use our resources and products in environmentally detrimental ways. Likewise, can we ethically import products manufactured or processed in sub-standard factories or from countries who are failing to curb their own emissions?

As Canadians, as citizens in a global community,

we cannot allow our environmental obligations to be traded away.

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