The Fifth National Communication on Climate Change 2010 shows two
very proactive examples that Canada is undergoing to adapt to future impacts of
climate change. These two examples below are directly from Canada's 2010 (PDF)
NC5 report:
1.
Energy efficiency: Canada is amending
energy efficiency regulations under the Energy Efficiency
Act to
introduce new performance standards on products accounting for 80% of the energy
used
in homes
and businesses in Canada. Governments in Canada are also implementing a wide
range
of energy
efficiency programs for consumers and businesses, and exploring the potential of
smart
grids.
2.
Since 2006, Canada has also been
developing a comprehensive, market-based regulatory regime for GHG emissions
from major industrial sources. In 2009 Canada indicated it would review this
proposed regime to align with the emerging cap and trade program in the United
States. Aligning our climate change policies and measures with those of the US
is a critical element of Canada’s overall approach, in light of the close integration
of our two economies and our geographic proximity.
Reference:
National
Reports for Developed Countries (Annex I) : http://unfccc.int/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/items/4903.php
National
Reports for Less Developed Countries (non-Annex I): http://unfccc.int/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/items/2979.php
The IPCC's adaptation section makes an interesting point when it
shows that the U.S. and Canada have to work together both politically and
financially, mainly because of the close proximity of their geographic
locations. However, in working together
they have to somehow learn how to respond to the adaptation evidence that is
available without thinking about their own interests. This statement really illustrates the result
of their recent attempts:
"Canada
and the U.S. emphasize market-based economies. Governments often play a role
implementing large-scale adaptive measures, and in providing information and incentives
to support development of adaptive capacity by private decision makers (UNDP,
2001; Michel-Kerjan, 2006). In practice, this means that individuals,
businesses and community leaders act on perceived self interest, based on their
knowledge of adaptive options. Despite many examples of adaptive practices in
North America, under-investment in adaptation is evident in the recent rapid
increase in property damage due to climate extremes (Burton and Lim, 2005;
Epstein and Mills, 2005) and illustrates the current adaptation deficit."
(Retrieved from <http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/ch14s14-5-1.html> )
The
article below is taken from Government of Canada's website regarding climate
change; particularly their involvement with the Kyoto Protocol - http://climatechange.gc.ca/cdp15-cop15/default.asp?lang=En&n=72499914-1
"The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on December
11, 1997 and entered into force on February 16, 2005. 184 Parties of the
Convention have ratified its Protocol to date. Canada signed the Protocol on
April 29, 1998 and ratified it on December 17, 2002.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Canada's emissions over
the 2008-2012 period are limited to 2,791 megatonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent. As is the case for a number of other Parties to the Kyoto
Protocol, our emissions are projected to exceed this agreed limit."
This article above was written on 8-10-2010, and
since that time Canada withdrew themselves from the Kyoto Protocol, stating
several valid reasons. First, they pointed out that it was a platform that
started with “30% of the top C02 emitting countries, and in 2011 had about
13%" and is slowly dwindling. Second
and one of their main concerns is that the United States and China are not
committing to this protocol which makes the platform null and void because the
U.S. and China are the world's top C02 emitting countries. This link (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16151310> ) will
show the interview with Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent, where he plainly
states that the Kyoto Protocol "does not represent a way forward for
Canada and the country would face crippling fines for failing to meet its
targets.".
References:
Canada's efforts towards mitigating climate change are targeted at
collaboration with the world's top C02 emitters to form a plan that will work
for the world as a whole. This is one of
their motives for withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol, because not only would
it cost the countries involved money to try and meet unrealistic goals; the main
contributors toward global warming (U.S. and China) are not even committed to
the platform. Therefore Canada has taken
the following steps on the Federal level to develop policies that stress the
importance in climate change:
·
Research and assess renewable energy options and best practices
·
Advocate for national renewable energy and energy efficiency
(RE/EE) strategies, and for the establishment of national body(ies) to
coordinate and lead RE/EE by:
·
participating in consultation processes, meetings and working
groups on renewable fuels, green electricity and energy efficiency
·
working in partnerships such as the Canadian Renewable Energy
Alliance (CanREA)
·
providing accurate information to Canadians on renewable energy to
allow voters to make informed choices on energy issues
·
Develop model renewable energy and energy efficiency strategies
that demonstrate feasible options for transitioning to a renewable energy
economy
·
Encourage federal and provincial cooperation on renewable energy
strategies and initiatives
·
Advance Canada’s role in working with other nations to maximize
investment and support for renewable energy in developing countries, which will
help improve access to services and move countries beyond an unstable,
unhealthy and inequitable reliance on fossil fuels.
Canada's Federal Policy initiative
shows a sense of their dedication towards mitigating climate change when they
state that "Investing and supporting Canada’s renewable energy industries
today will help create new jobs, ensure Canada is a competitive leader in the
world’s future energy markets, and provide a reliable and secure source of
energy for Canadian families. Increasing our use of renewable energy is also an
important climate change strategy for Canada because it reduces our reliance on
coal, oil and gas, which produce greenhouse gas pollutants that are fuelling
global warming." (Retrieved from
<http://www.pembina.org/re/work/federal-policy>
)
The
pie chart below shows the different renewable resources Canada has had since
2010 and hope to have by 2035:
"The
Government is committed to reducing total GHG emissions by 17% from 2005
levels by 2020. Canada is also committed to the goal of having 90% of
electricity provided by non-emitting sources such as hydro, nuclear, clean coal
or wind power by 2020" (Retrieved from <http://www.ieahev.org/by-country/canada/>
) This image shows the variety of
resources it has for electricity by region:
I
personally believe that it is every countries moral duty to mitigate and adapt
to climate change in any respective way they can. Especially Canada because
they, like the U.S., India, and China are the world's top C02 producers and
emitters. I agree with Canada's decision
to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol and work toward a real platform that will
involve the top C02 emitters first and follow a uniform process for
collectively mitigating climate change on a global scale. Yes, every country has to try their best to
reduce their emissions but there should be a uniform process or platform for
all to follow which would push policy towards a real change in the earth's
climate.
