To What Extent Are Canadians Combating Global Warming?

Submitted to: Mr. Poll

Submitted by: Yass Hatahet
Date Due: April 20th
Class: CGC1D8 - B

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 2

To What Extent Are Canadians Combating Global Warming? has been

a rather interesting and debatable question in recent decades. The existence
of global warming in Canada has become increasingly more conspicuous
than ever before. North America is currently being referred to as the
continent with the most greenhouse emissions recorded. Despite the fact
that most of these emissions are released from the United States, it remains
to cause dramatic shifts in rainfall patterns as well as astoundingly warm
temperatures in northern Canada, near the Arctic. For instance, the Angel
Glacier located in Jasper National Park, Alberta has had an increased glacial
budget in the past years. This factor also applies to other alpine glaciers in
Canada. In addition, the occurrences of polar vortexes in North America have
been increasing. An example of such has occurred in the winter of 2014 due
to global warming (Woollaston, 2014). The citizens of Canada as well as the
future generations must acknowledge that global warming is a side effect of
human greed, and actions must be taken as soon as possible to combat it.
The term urbanization refers to a countrys population increase as well
as its independency (Stelter & Artibise, 2006). Canada has entered its
industrial stage very early in its time. After the establishment of the
Canadian Confederation in the nineteenth century, Prime Minister John A.
MacDonald was able to begin industrializing the country by connecting the
provinces

using

newly

built

railways

which

opened

doors

to

huge

possibilities. From this point on, Canada evolved at a drastic rate increasing
its population as well as attracting new immigrants from other countries.

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Thus, in this age, Canada is required to expand and evolve its urban areas to
sustain the increasing population of 35.16 million people. A census
conducted in 2011 discovered that 81 percent of the Canadian population
inhabit urban areas compared to a census conducted a hundred years ago
stating that less than half or 45 percent of the population lived in urban
areas (Stelter & Artibise, 2006). Factors will arise from the expansion of the
urbanized areas such as increased greenhouse gas emissions as well as
pollution. This offers us a better and more intellectual view of how an
extensive increase in urbanization will remain at the same rate if no actions
are taken by the government. What they unfortunately do not acknowledge
or rather wish to ignore are the consequences of urbanization. Urbanization
is a huge leading factor when it comes to global warming and the impacts of
climate change. Ironically urbanized areas are most vulnerable when natural
disasters arise due to global warming. For instance, City Councillor Andrea
Reimer has stated When floods, fires, and sea levels rise, its generally
municipal infrastructure and urban residents taking the larger hits (Rose,
2014). In fact, buildings in urban areas are the most significant sources of
greenhouse gases with 30 percent of the national energy use (Mohareb &
Mohareb, 2014). Globally speaking, well over 70 percent of carbon dioxide
emissions are produced by urbanized cities (Mohareb & Mohareb, 2014).
These factors significantly affect the Earths climate leading to a more severe
case of global warming. Not only is urbanization expanding at an exponential
rate that can be even more dangerous in the near future, but it also

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 4

produces

greenhouse

gases

capable

of

destroying

the

surrounding

environments. Although the technological advancements seem to be

beneficial, they are a huge threat to the global status as they contribute
towards the crisis of global warming. Innovating todays buildings to be more
Eco-friendly is a possibility that could be considered by the government if
they so wish to put more effort towards this global crisis.
Over the years, Canada has faced a lot of issues in terms of attempting
to improve the environment. When taking a brief look at the governments
history, there exists the occurrences of various budget cuts on money that
were intended to be used for the environment. Not only have these cuts
attacked the environmental community in Canada, but they have also
threatened

scientific

research

about

the

ozone

layer

in

the

upper

atmosphere and pollution in the lower hemisphere. With that said, these cuts
also happen to trigger issues with already existing international agreements
(Environment Canada cuts threaten science, international agreements,
2012, p. 12). These agreements vary from the United Nations framework for
Climate Change Convention, Montreal Protocol, and the United States
Bilateral

agreements

(Environment

Canada

cuts

threaten

science,

international agreements, 2012, p. 12). Canada happens to be a major

contributor

to

environmental

research

with

global

reputation

(Conservative Cuts Threaten Canadas Position As Global Leader On Ozone

Science and Arctic Research, 2012). With budget cuts like such, it simply
shows how Canada has no interest in the environment and does not attempt

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 5

to pursue strategies to assist in combating global warming. The countless

budget cuts that have occurred over the years simply enforce Canadians to
believe that Canada must be spending billions of dollars on the environment.
However it is the complete opposite. Despite the budget cuts on the
environment, the Canadian government continues to spend billions of dollars
on the oil and gas industry showing no responsibility towards major global
warming issues in Canada. For instance, in the year of 2012 to 2013,
Environment Canada was allowed to spend approximately 989.7 million
dollars (Report on Plans and Priorities, 2014). When that is put into
comparison with the amount of money spent on alcoholic beverages which
happens to be an astounding 21.4 billion dollars it is ridiculous to see where
the governments priorities are (Canadians Spent $21.4B on booze last
year, 2014). In addition to the minimal money Environment Canada is
allowed to utilize and spend, they still face budget cuts annually. After
analyzing how the Canadian Government have spent their money on the
environment, it can be agreed upon the fact that Canada is not doing an
exceptional job attempting to combat global warming. Not only are they
cutting the budget of those who care about the environment but they also
seem to prioritize ridiculous things over the environment. Canadians must
remember that the future has no price tag thus, all efforts must be put in to
ensure a brighter future for the upcoming generations.
When

it

comes

to

the

government's

promises

regarding

the

environment, it does not do a great job at it. Taking a look back at the efforts

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 6

Canada made towards the environment, there was not much. However, there
was one that should be brought to attention, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. The
Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty signed by over 200 nations,
including Canada with an aim to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases
such as carbon dioxide to 5 percent by the year 2012 (Schiermeier, 2003).
Canada has done an inadequate job attempting to achieve the main goal of
the protocol. Instead, greenhouse gas emissions has increased by a shocking
44 percent from the year 1990 to 2011 obliterating the idea of the Kyoto
Protocol (Canadas Emission Trends, 2014). This has led to the withdrawal
of Canada from the Protocol in 2011 breaking their promises to all Canadians
as well as 200 nations. However, this was not the only promise the Canadian
government failed to follow. A few years after the withdrawal, the
government announced that it will decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 17
percent, below 2005 levels by the year 2020. Environment Canada shortly
after states that this target will not be met anytime soon (Climate change
report urges Ottawa to do more; Rate of global warming in Canada double
global average, federal study finds, 2014). This simply shows the lack of
effort Canada has put towards eliminating global warming. Some individuals
may say that the Canadian government is doing enough for the environment.
For instance, the green belt in Ontario is an excellent example of Canada
attempting to care for the environment. However, officials say that the green
belt is a promise that may not be kept for long. Ever since the coalition
agreement has been confirmed, housing development on the green belt has

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 7

doubled in one year and continues to do so (Lainton, 2013). Others might

mention the recent climate conference that was held in Paris. This new
agreement was created with the intention to reduce global warming to 2
degrees Celsius and zero greenhouse gas emissions by the second half of the
21st century. The agreement however is unaccountable and uncertain. It
lacks having a specific plan for nations to follow, instead it relies on what
they call nationally determined contributors. In other words, the agreement
relies on the good actions of politicians (Paris Agreement on climate change:
the good, the bad, and the ugly, 2015). Thus, the Canadian government
itself needs to be dedicated unlike the previous attempts to accomplish
anything related to combating global warming. Overall, the Kyoto Protocol is
a reflection of how the Canadian government feels about combating global
warming. Despite the existence of a few attempts such as the Ontario
greenbelt as well as the new Paris Climate Change agreement, relying on
words will not help. It is easier said than done. In order to achieve any of
such, the Canadian government needs to clearly recognize the impacts of
global warming today and what it has to offer for the near future. As a
nation, Canadians must have the dedication and ambition to successfully
pursue any plan, no matter what difficulty it proposes.
In this essay, the extensive rate of urbanization in Canada and how it
increases global warming throughout the nation has been discussed. In
addition the lack of a reliable budget and examined the various budget cuts
Environment Canada has received over the years while still supporting the oil

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 8

and gas industries which encourages global warming was inspected. Also,
the amount that is being spent on Environment Canada which happens to be
insufficient enough when compared to other areas where money is being
spent such as alcoholic beverages was examined. Finally, the different
attempts Canada has made to combat global warming and how it failed to
keep promises such as the Kyoto Protocol as well as the seventeen percent
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions were stated alongside the Ontario
greenbelt and how the Paris Climate Change Agreement is not really
accountable. After all that has been discussed, it is simply up to the reader to
decide on how they would like to answer the question. Canadians can do
much better with determined minds however. Any goal set can be achieved
no matter how difficult. Recognizing the fact that the future has no price tag
and that all efforts must be put in to ensure a safe and bright nation for
upcoming generations is essential. Remember, it is the responsibility of
Canadians as well as everyone elses on this planet to assist in carving a
better and brighter world.

Comba tti ng Gl obal Warmi n g | 9

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