Canada and Climate Change

By Allison Varga

           

Climate change should be on the forefront of our minds. It is apparent that if we do not change our ways Earth will suffer from irreversible damage. Scientists estimate that if action is not taken in the next 12 years, the fate of our planet could be at stake. With such an unrelenting problems, many nations are stepping up their protocols and investing more time, energy, and resources into saving the environment. Canada is no different. They have put several actions into place to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint and lower emissions in general. They are looking to be sustainable in the future and work on global warming through focusing on clean electricity, forestry, agriculture and waste, short-lived climate pollutants, and methane regulations for the oil and gas sectors. However, some experts and activists dispute how effective their initiatives really are and maintain that the country can do more for the climate mission.

According to the Government of Canada's website, Canada is taking appropriate actions on climate change. The government claims that they have extensive plans in place to reduce carbon emissions and that they take climate change very seriously. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the government recognize the importance of the issue. Priorities have been enacted both on the international and local level. For one thing, they are ratifying the Paris Agreement which involved the United Nations coming together to take international action on climate change. They also support collaborative approaches and promote enhanced action on adaptation especially in developing nations. Since Canada is a first world nation, in part, it is their duty to help the nations that are not as fortunate and make sure that they are taking action as well. In addition, they have invested toward a sustainable low carbon output future.

In 2015, Canada committed $2.65 billion over five years to support climate change action in developing countries. Canada is working to ensure that climate finance is accessible and effective at reducing emissions and enhancing resilience on the ground. Mobilizing private sector investment and innovation to accelerate the adoption of clean technology is a key aspect. This is why Canada is financing transformational mitigation initiatives, climate-smart agriculture, and is building local capacity and climate resilience abroad (Government of Canada).

They have addressed the problem in a transparent way and are holding themselves accountable, taking extra measures to report and review their implementation of orders and plans. Ultimately, the long term goal is to share knowledge and support the ending of climate change through taking responsibility in the ever growing challenge. Internally, the country is already taking steps to heed climate change. With a team of scientists and researchers they made a game plan. The Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) is a plan to help meet their carbon emissions reduction targets, strengthen the economy, and build resilience to a changing climate. It was developed with the territories, provinces, and Indigenous people in mind. The second annual progress report detailed the plan.

In 2018, the second year of PCF implementation, work continued to implement over fifty actions introduced in the PCF. This included work on carbon pollution pricing; the introduction of key regulations; the implementation of funding programs and initiatives to improve energy efficiency; significant investments in green infrastructure projects, and support for the development of clean technology; as well as the release of climate action plans, strategies, and funding programs to support adaptation and climate resilience (Government of Canada).

Although it seems that they have taken relevant and fitting steps towards a better future, there is some doubt if what is being done is enough. Experts weigh in on how Canada could do more to handle the situation. In April 2019, it was reported that Canada’s emissions increased by 8 million tons from 2016 to 2017, meaning 716 millions tons of greenhouse gases were produced that calendar year. This data suggests that Canada is not upholding its pledge to the Paris climate agreement to reduce its emissions by 30% of the 2005 levels by 2030.

Greta Thunberg, a noted climate activist, continues to express frustration and distaste for their climate policies. Last June, Parliament declared a national climate emergency. But the following day, the Liberal government approved the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion, which was a highly controversial topic due to its negative impacts to the environment. Thunberg called the approval shameful. This could be more evidence that current policies may not be adequate.

Julie Gelfand, Canada’s Commissioner for Environment and Sustainable Development, called out the federal government to do more and to prepare Canadians for the effects that climate change can have. Her report features her thoughts on the matter, mentioning how far Canada’s government still has a long way to go to achieve a better understanding of how the climate impacts them, the risks they have, and how they still need to provide more solutions.

Overall, Canada has started taking steps in the right direction according to the government, but there is still more that can be done sooner. The implementation of the PCF is a good starting point; however, in order to see more tangible results that show significant decrease in emissions there must be more effort being put in. The progress reports show there is room for more necessary action to take place that demonstrates the effectiveness of the work Canada claims it is doing about climate change. Addressing the issue of climate change and taking responsibility is important, but like Greta Thunberg and other activists and experts have said, there is always more that can be done, especially with climate change being such a pressing matter.

Works Cited

Abedi, Maham. “Canada Positioned Itself as a World Leader on Climate Change - Is It?” Global News, Global News, 24 Oct. 2019, globalnews.ca/news/5948969/canada-climate-change-record-un/.

“Canada Must Do More to Adapt to Climate Change, Environment Commissioner Says.” IISD, 10 Oct. 2017, www.iisd.org/library/canada-must-do-more-adapt-climate-change-environment-commissioner-says.

Climate Change Canada. “Government of Canada.” Canada.ca, Government of Canada, 4 Nov. 2019,www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/canada-international-action.html.

“Federal Government: Canada's Record on Climate Change.” Climate Action Network,climateactionnetwork.ca/issues/government-inaction/learning-center/federal-government/.

Murphy, Jessica. “Is Trudeau Doing Enough on Climate Change?” BBC News, BBC, 28 Sept. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49804234.