Taking Action to Limit Climate Change

Changing our Energy Sources

Changing our Energy Sources We depend on fossil fuels to power our country, cities, and homes Extracting, refining and using fossil fuels release greenhouse gases. One way to reduce greenhouse gases, is to reduce its emissions through cleaner energy sources

Clean Energy Source Description Wind Power Wind causes the blades of wind turbines to turn, powering generators that produce electricity. Geothermal Energy Thermal energy below Earth’s surface is used to heat homes and other buildings

Solar Power Solar panels absorb radiation from the Sun and convert it into electricity. The Sun’s radiation can also be used to heat water. Hydroelectricity The energy of moving water (e.g. a waterfall) turns turbines to power generators that produce electricity.

Biofuels Biofuels use plant-based fuels to produce energy. Nuclear Power Nuclear energy is created by splitting the nuclei of atoms. Although nuclear energy plants do not emit greenhouse gases, they do produce radioactive waste, thus creating a different set of problems.

How Quickly to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Global temperatures have already risen by 0 Global temperatures have already risen by 0.74°C over the last 100 years Most scientists say we need to limit the increase to 2°C to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change  need to stabilize greenhouse gases at a lower level than it is today In order to accomplish this by 2050, we need to reduce emissions by 80% relative to 1990 Ontario has already committed to this, Canada has not.

Kyoto Protocol and Action Plan

Kyoto Protocol A plan by the United Nations for controlling greenhouse gas emissions

In 2002, Canada agreed to join the Kyoto Protocol. This set short-term goals requiring industrialized nations to reduce emissions to specific concentrations by 2012 In 2009, a new agreement was put into place to limit the impacts of climate change. About 170 nations participated, and the agreement will take effect in 2013.

In 2006, the Canadian Prime Minister announced that Canada would not be meeting the target that was set, and sought other ways to reduce Canada’s emissions In 2008, the government claimed to be putting in place a program that would reduce emission by 20% between 2006 and 2020 Internationally, Canada was criticised for not living up to Kyoto.

The Paris Agreement The Paris Agreement is an agreement between 166 countries in the U.N. The goal is to decrease greenhouse gas emissions to a level where the global temperature increase in the next 100 years will be less than 2°C Each nation determined how they would contribute, with the expectation being that they will be putting in their best effort

The Paris Agreement Every 5 years the countries will meet to take stock of how their goals are progressing. Canada has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 30% below 2005 levels, and plans to meet this goal by 2030

What Businesses, Industries and Governments can do Transportation Use less fuel by driving more efficiently Use cleaner fuels Use hybrid or electric vehicles Support restrictions on pollution levels and incentives Producing Energy Improve energy efficiency Use more clean energy sources

What Businesses, Industries and Governments can do Recycle energy Capture and store (sequester) CO2 Impose taxes on fossil fuel use Agriculture Use less nitrogen fertilizer Compost Restore polluted land

What Businesses, Industries and Governments can do Waste Management Collect methane from landfills Compost Reduce the volume of waste generated Reduce consumption Recycle Forests Reduce deforestation Use biofuel from waste forestry products Manage forests so that they are carbon sinks, not sources

Transportation Use less fuel by driving more efficiently Use cleaner fuels Use hybrid or electric vehicles Support restrictions on pollution levels and incentives Producing Energy Improve energy efficiency Use more clean energy sources Industries Recycle energy Capture and store (sequester) CO2 Impose taxes on fossil fuel use Agriculture Use less nitrogen fertilizer Compost Restore polluted land Waste Management Collect methane from landfills Reduce the volume of waste generated Reduce consumption Recycle Forests Reduce deforestation Use biofuel from waste forestry products Manage forests so that they are carbon sinks, not sources