Download 16. Frequently Asked Questions - Canada`s Action on Climate Change

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.
What is the purpose of these town hall events?
 Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and also one
of the greatest opportunities.
 These town hall events will give people a chance to share their views as
Canada develops its plan for clean growth and climate change.
 More specifically, the town halls will:
1. improve Canadians’, including Indigenous peoples’, understanding
of climate change;
2. involve Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, in finding ways to
address climate change in Canada.
2.
How do these town halls fit into Canada’s action on climate change?
 On March 3, 2016, in Vancouver, the Prime Minister and Premiers outlined
the vision and principles that will guide Canada as we move towards
sustainable and clean economic growth.
 The feedback from Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, generated
through the town hall discussions will contribute to Canada’s approach on
climate change, an approach that will help our country to meet or exceed
our international emissions targets and ensure a more sustainable and
prosperous future for Canada.
 Also, by sharing ideas about how to reduce and adapt to climate change,
these town halls will hopefully inspire individual and community action at
the local level.
3.
What kind of ideas should be provided in the town hall events?
 These discussions provide a chance for people to share ideas about what
individuals, families, organizations, communities and governments can do
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.
4.
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5.
Can I still share my ideas if I cannot participate in the town
hall events?
Yes, everyone is welcome to share their ideas about how to address
climate change and see what others are saying through the interactive
website http://www.canada.ca/climateaction.
What causes climate change?
The earth’s climate changes naturally, but since the industrial revolution,
human activities have largely been the cause of climate change.
 These activities have caused the amount of greenhouse gas released into
the atmosphere to increase substantially, causing a “greenhouse” or
warming effect.
 Also, as the human population has increased, large areas of the planet
have been deforested. Removing trees and other plants that absorb
carbon dioxide, release oxygen and store carbon adds to climate change.
 Global temperatures have already gone up by about 0.85°C since 1880.
Canada has warmed by 1.6°C, about twice the global average. Canada’s
North is warming even more quickly.
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6.
Can climate change be stopped?
 Stopping human-caused climate change means that we need to move
away from using fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, and adopt clean energy
like hydro, wind and solar. Climate models have shown that to have a
good chance of limiting global warming to 2°C, humanity will have to
absorb as much greenhouse gas as is emitted by the end of this century.
This shows how much of a challenge we face.
7.
What is carbon pricing?
Carbon pricing is a way of attaching a price to carbon emissions.
It creates a financial incentive to reduce emissions.
The revenue generated can be used to lower income tax, and to support
clean technology and green infrastructure.
Greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide can also be priced.
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8.
How will clean technology, innovation and jobs support efforts to
address climate change?
 Supporting a clean-growth economy will help Canada take advantage of
new global opportunities. It will diversify our economy, open access to new
markets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create good, well-paying
jobs in Canada.
 Canada can both protect the environment and grow the economy. These
goals are not at odds with each other—they go hand in hand.
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9.
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What is climate change mitigation?
Climate change mitigation means reducing or preventing greenhouse gas
emissions in order to lessen climate change. This can be done in many
different ways, such as using new technologies or renewable energy, or
even changing consumer behaviour.
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10.
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What is climate change adaptation?
Climate change adaptation means changing our decisions, activities and
thinking because of observed or expected changes in the climate.
Climate change adaptation is essential if we want to manage the risks that
come with a changing climate.
Adaptation can save lives, reduce damage, create new opportunities, and
lower costs in the long term.
Examples of adaptation include changing building standards and
community development plans to take into account expected changes in
weather and rising sea levels.
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