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Download Environmental Issues: Global warming, climate change, energy use
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Canada and the World: Environmental Issues History of Environmentalism Energy production and environmental issues started to come to light in 1970s OPEC oil crisis (1973), Three Mile Island (1979) Greenpeace formed in Vancouver in 1971 Environmental issues became more of public concern in 1980s and 1990s Canada has been part of discussions of these issues for decades Advocating for “environmental stewardship” – taking care of the earth – eg. Earth Day UN & Environmentalism UN Conference on Human Environment – Stockholm, 1972 – first time environmental issues became politically recognized UN World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (AKA Brundtland Commission) – 1983-1987 Recognition of many issues with similar causes Produced a report called “Our Common Future” or Brundtland Report – agenda for development Earth Summit (1992) – adopted Agenda 21, a plan for solving environmental issues in 21st century Unsustainability of life UN began to realize that modern (Western) way of life was not sustainable – it could not be supported indefinitely due to growing population in developing countries and waste of resources Focus began to turn to “sustainable development” – what could be supported Concern over “ecological footprint” – the mark humans were leaving on earth Individuals were encouraged to monitor their ecological footprint Corporations and companies began to be held to account for their actions Inequality of wealth One source of issues is inequality in wealth and use of resources Top fifth of Earth’s population have 82.7 % of wealth and use 85 % of resources Economy (poverty) and environment are interconnected issues Energy sources Energy sources for most of the 18th and 19th centuries were fossil fuels (eg. coal, oil, natural gas) that were extracted from ground after being formed from compression of carbonbased organisms Fossil fuels are non-renewable resource – need for alternative (renewable) energy Fossil fuels have damaged Earth’s biosphere (collection of all ecological systems) – over past two centuries with emission of CO2 and other hazardous chemicals Climate change Additional CO2 and gases have created “greenhouse effect”, meaning that less heat leaves Earth’s biosphere Greenhouse effect has led to “global warming” – overall rise in temperature – and climate change, including erratic weather patterns, melting of polar ice caps, rising of sea levels, and disruption of food chain Climate change is not just a scientific issue – it is also political and fundamental to all people Climate change debate Some scientists claim this is a natural cycle, but most acknowledge that human lifestyle has created current situation Some discussing “global cooling” Question of how to respond: mitigation, adaptation, or geo-engineering Recent effects of climate change on Canada: Arctic regions – ice melting, deaths of animals Extreme weather more common – droughts in Prairies, forest fires, floods in Manitoba Salmon survival rate decreased by one-third since 1990s Kyoto Protocol International UN-sponsored agreement to reduce emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) Most countries required to meet standards of 5.2% below 1990 levels 183 countries (including Canada) signed on between Dec. 1997 and 1999 Kyoto took effect in 2005; countries began to be required to meet goals or face consequences US withdrew in 2001 – concerns about economy – responsible for 25% of emissions! Kyoto Protocol in Canada Political debate over Kyoto – Liberal government signed on, but Conservatives have different perspective on requirements Opposition parties disagreed with Harper and passed motion to force government to meet Kyoto targets; it has not been obeyed by government Conservatives say they have their own plans for reducing emissions Some provincial initiatives in spite of federal inaction Renewable Resources Concern over climate change has led to increased focus in renewable resources in Canada Alternative sources include hydroelectric, solar, biomass, tidal, wind Instituted at varying levels across Canada Debate over nuclear power – primarily a safety issue Currently a hot-topic issue in Saskatchewan – placement of reactor and use of resources Ozone depletion Ozone is protective layer in atmosphere that keeps harmful ultraviolet rays away from Earth Overuse of harmful chemicals in appliances and aerosol sprays (chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs) led to depletion of ozone layer Negative effects include increase of skin cancer and disruption of flora and fauna ecosystems Montreal Protocol International treaty to eliminate use of CFCs across the globe Goal is for ozone layer to recover by 2050 Proposed in 1987 and ratified in 1989, with several revisions since Considered one of the most successful agreements in international environmental issues because of wide involvement and obedience to requirements of treaty Acid Rain (and smog) Pollution caused by acid entering water cycle Some areas are more susceptible to problems, including Canadian Shield US contributes significantly to problems in Canada’s air Worst area is around Great Lakes – why? Led to signing of Air Quality Accord between US and Canada in 1991 Called for 50 % reduction of SO2 emissions by 2000 Water • Water is necessary for drinking, irrigation, agriculture, health care • Water is an increasingly valuable commodity, as more water is polluted and improperly used • Over 5 million people die each year from illnesses caused by poor water supply • Over 50% of people in Africa suffer from water-related diseases • Water scarcity will likely affect three billion people in 52 countries by 2025 Sources of water • Surface water collected from precipitation • Aquifers are underground water-bearing rocks that serve as source of clean water • Need for water has led to over-pumping of aquifers, causing water table (level) to drop before precipitation can replenish it • Wells must be dug deeper, disrupting soil • Solutions may include water exporting, desalination (removing salt) of seawater, and conservation (especially in developed world) Water in Canada • Canada has one of world’s largest supplies of freshwater – glaciers, lakes, rivers, Arctic • Freshwater supply is challenged by pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain • Dispute over freshwater supply with other countries (primarily US) • Issues include privatization and marketing of water, borders and rights (especially in Arctic), and US pollution seeping into Canada • Political, legislative, legal, and popular issue Deforestation Rainforest being lost, especially in Brazil Leads to poor climate, loss of species, less protection of air quality Canada has large portion of world’s rainforest, particularly in BC Forest fires devastating in past 20 years Concern over environmental stewardship by logging industry has led to some reforms Agriculture and farming Canadian farmers based in Prairies and ON Farming changing from small family farms to larger sections and corporate management Requires change in technology – larger machines, more effective methods of keeping crops alive Use of pesticides (to kill insects) and herbicides (to kill weeds) has grown Leads to chemicals in soil, air, water, food Genetically Modified? For two decades, genetic engineers have worked on creating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that adapt in growing food GM foods are designed to adapt to chemicals and become more usable and long-lasting Some concern over health risks Rise in marketing of “organic” products Governments regulate foods carefully Political and legal issue of patents and ownership – eg. Percy Schmeiser + Monsanto Health crises Environmental disruptions and genetic modification have (arguably) led to health crises Global health crisis is called a pandemic Recent almost-pandemics include AIDS, SARS (2002-03), Avian flu (2004), H1N1 (2009) Pandemics may be prevented through improvement of environment and standard of living Conclusions The environment has changed significantly over the past fifty years, arguably in large part due to human technology and industry Environmental issues have been politically acknowledged since 1972 Canada is one of the world leaders in these issues and discussions Political debate over sacrificing economic good to meet environmental needs is common The environment is perhaps the greatest issue facing this generation, including Canada