What Can We Do?

What are nature’s effects on climate? The Sun The Wind The Hydrosphere The Moving Continents Recall:

Human-caused greenhouse gases are adding to the naturally produced greenhouse gases Caused by the industrial revolution: more factories, burning coal, cutting down trees Recall: Anthropogenic effects on climate

Human Activities… Some scientists state that humans have significantly increased the quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. Carbon Footprint… The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, company, or organization. Your carbon footprint is shaped by your individual choices and actions.

Canadian Activities… Canada has less than 1 % of the world’s population, but contributes about 2% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Canadian Activities… 1. Home Heating: Canada is one of the coldest countries so we generate a lot of greenhouse gases burning fossil fuels to keep our home, schools and buildings warm.

2.Deforestation: (do not copy this slide) The removal of trees and forests from and area. Canadian Activities… Canada’s Role: Forestry is a major industry in BC Land is heavily forested, so clearing large forests is a common occurrence

How does deforestation affect the climate? Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis Large areas of forest cleared (deforestation) = more CO 2 in atmosphere Branches, leaves and debris are often burned = this also adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere!

Canadian Activities… 3. Oil Sands: Alberta oil sands is the 2 nd -largest oil reserve in the world Producing the oil from the oil sands is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases in Canada

Canadian Activities… 4. Land Travel: Road construction clears a lot of trees that otherwise absorbs carbon dioxide All the cars and trucks driving on these roads burn fossil fuels that add carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide – FUN FACT …. HWY 401 between Toronto and Montreal is the busiest highway in North America

Canadian Activities… 5. Industry and Manufacturing: Manufacturing centers found in southern Ontario (Toronto, Hamilton) produce carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and halocarbons.

Canadian Activities… 6. Urbanization: Urbanization (cities spreading into rural areas), involves clearing land, building roads, and increasing transportation, producing greenhouse gases

Canadian Activities… 7. Agriculture: Clearing land and using fertilizers, and raising crops or livestock during farming all produce greenhouse gases. One 550kg cow produces 800L to 1000L of methane gas each day. (Canadian cattle account for 72% of Canada’s methane emissions.)

Canadian Activities… 8. Coal-fired Power Plants: Most of the electrical energy produced in the Maritimes, Alberta and Saskatchewan comes from burning coal, which release greenhouse gases

Canadian Activities… 9. Landfills: Large garbage dumps in many communities in every province and territory generate greenhouse gases (usually methane).

Canadian Activities… 10. Air travel: Canada covers a large geographical area The fastest way to get from one place to the next is by plane. Unfortunately, air travel burns up large amounts of fossil fuels. This is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

What is Canada Doing? Regulating emissions Increasing energy efficiency Clean renewable energy: hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, wind Promoting new technologies: carbon capture and storage, fuel efficient vehicles

What is Ontario doing? No more coal – will reduce our carbon footprint from electricity by 75% Cap and Trade – will allow Ontario to regulate greenhouse gases by industry Green Power – protection, growth and promotion Provincial sales tax breaks for energy efficient products

Homework 1.How do you think that you, as a Canadian, compare to people in other countries in terms of greenhouse gas production? 2.Pick 4 of the 10 activities that add to Canada’s greenhouse gas production and describe how you or someone you know has been involved. 3.Suggest two ways that humans can decrease the amount of greenhouse gases produced by deforestation. 4.Explain five strategies that could be used to reduce your carbon footprint?