Canadians and Global Warming How can we respond?

Importance of International Cooperation Achieving true sustainability requires the active participation of all members of the international community, who must work together to find solutions to global climate change.

Developing Countries Developing countries will be most negatively affected. They have the most to lose even though they have done the least to cause the problem. Extreme weather events, storm surges and rising seas will destroy communities and displace people. Environmental refugees are people forced to leave their homes because an environmental crisis threatens their lives or their way of life.

International agreements First international conferences on global climate change began in the late 1980s where countries agreed to reduce emissions, provide emissions data and continue research on climate change and its effects Kyoto Protocol in 2005 saw 38 developed countries commit to reducing GHG emissions. Canada signed and then later withdrew from the agreement.  Since 2005, Canada has actually moved backward on climate change and no longer has a good reputation. We are a huge part of the problem on the planet.

National Policies Hopefully our new government will take us in a new direction when it comes to climate change. The national government needs to work with provinces and local governments to have a Canadian strategy. Reduce Canada’s GHG emission Invest to help Canadians adapt to changing climate Fund scientific research so we can make informed decisions based on data Participate in international climate change efforts

Local and Individual Efforts Carbon offsetting: a way in which an emitter of GHGs can prevent its emissions from increasing GHGs in the atmosphere by paying someone else to reduce, avoid or absorb an equal quantity of emissions. In this way, companies can become carbon neutral.

What can we do? Change purchasing patterns (buy less stuff, buy locally, eat less meat etc) Conserve energy (retrofit older buildings, construct energy-efficient homes, programmable thermostats, turn off lights and appliances, hybrid vehicles, efficient lights, on-demand hot water systems etc) Alternative energy sources (solar panels, wind turbines, new energy sources etc)

Become informed (Understanding the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change can motivate people to make smart choices to reduce their person carbon footprint) Alternative forms of transportation (public transit, carpooling, biking, walking)

The Power of One Reduce, reuse, and recycle – and compost Use less heat and air conditioning (programmable thermostat) Drive less and drive smart (carpooling etc) Buy energy-efficient products (lightbulbs, appliances etc) Use less water Eat locally produced and organic foods Plant a tree Turn off the lights and electronics when no one is in the room Get a home inspection to identify areas to improve energy efficiency Buy locally made goods and support local businesses