“We are about half a century away from being ecologically and economically bankrupt because of global warming.” The continent of North America is enormous and has a sub-tropical climate prevalent in the sunshine state of Florida to the sub-zero climate of the Arctic. Between these two realms are a couple of very wealthy and varied ecological units in danger. Hitherto America and Canada are considered to be the world’s largest contributors to global Warming by emitting the largest amounts of greenhouse gasses resulting in warmer weather. The evident facts can be found in places changes in the rate of polar Warming in places like the melting glaciers in Montana as well as the declining marshes in the Chesapeake Bay, the bleaching of the coral reefs, and many more. North America has many more hotspots compared to anywhere else in the world. The fact that America and Canada were able to detect cautionary signs simply because of more in-depth studies and better access to data with a technologically advanced monitoring system, all this is important because it is imperative for North American to take measure now to help reduce global Warming in these regions. Global Warming is a serious threat to many ecosystems, and to many countries, ignorance is a daunting reality. Although Canada is rich in many natural resources, they are however are depleting gradually. And this, in turn, will directly be affected if a change in the climate occurs. And it is for this reason we need to decipher what ecologists and scientists mean when they say a change n climate and global Warming is to occur. It is imperative to understand the earth’s natural functioning to keep the temperature in equilibrium and the detrimental factors that affect the earth’s temperature. The atmosphere of the earth contains many various gasses maneuvered by gravity t stay in place. These gasses comprise nitrogen dominantly; second most would be oxygen and traceable amounts of argon and carbon dioxide. The atmosphere and its determinants protect the earth from harmful solar radiation and maintaining a balance in temperatures. (Simms, 2003).
Climate can be broadly considered the summation of all prevalent weather conditions over a period of time. It is only recently ecologists and scientists have begun to understand the complex process of change in climate and the causes. The earth has experienced various climate changes from extreme cooling to Global Warming, which have helped assess current situations. Another important jargon is the greenhouse effect. The earth possesses energy which it receives from the sun in the form of radiation, of which much is barred by the atmosphere, but the little that does enter the earth’s atmosphere is responsible for the climate. When the earth heats up, it then discharges infrared radiation; with the existence of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, all this radiation is absorbed and sent back to the earth’s surface to provide us with a relaxing climate. Without the existence of these greenhouse gasses and recycling of this radiation, the earth would be approximately 25 degrees Celsius cooler. In aggregate, the earth has gained about a whole degree in the past decade, and chances are it can increase about six degrees by the year 2100. However, this may seem rather small if we think what a minute change in an individual’s body temperature can have rather serious effects if such changes go unnoticed. These changes in the earth’s temperature may cause shifting patterns of rain and ocean levels. (Simms, 2003).
Canada has made a steadfast commitment to enforcing the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by being a member of FCCC. The first step the Canadian government took after the Kyoto convention was to determine efficient and realistic schedules to reduce the emission of harmful gases, and in turn, maintaining a healthy relationship with all business partners. While being a member of the FCCC, Canada made conscious efforts to reduce levels and also provided the country with reduced cost solutions and pliability. Presently Canada has developed.
Strategies to deal with climate changes and reach its goals. When all strategies are put in action, Canada will be able to reduce harmful gases by about 70 percent in the air. The Canadian government has also put foreword a half-decade plan that includes plans for energy conservation, transportation, science and technology, forestry, and various other industries that accounts for Canada’s bulk of greenhouse emission. Sometime in early 1997, the Canadian government decided to be an active member of the Kyoto Protocol, the investigation of prevalent emission levels started in mid-1998 with members from the government, industry, non-government environmental spectators. And in 2002, Canada was proudly inducted into the Kyoto protocol. The results of Canada were put aside before concrete evidence. The results that were presented to Kyoto made the protocol feel the cost was insignificant, and it seemed as if induction into Kyoto was possible with a few billion dollars in comparison with Canada’s national income. When the findings were publicized, the results seemed a little distorted to the masses; even so, the president was anxious to endorse Kyoto. The initial action was titled Climate Change Plan for Canada, which was biased and full of inconsistencies. The Kyoto project tried to heavily address the rate at which the globe was heating up. Whether Kyoto Protocol can actually achieve its targets seems a long shot. At its inception, about 140 countries promoted it except for America, Australia, and Monaco. The US is a superpower and industrial nation put to the table 25% of the total emission. Developing countries who contribute actively to pollution like China and India have now joined in. but as these countries are classified as third world countries, Kyoto has refrained from enforcing emission cuts till late 2012. as seen Kyoto does not handle every country on the same plane, Canada has dedicated itself to diminish the emitting of greenhouse gasses by six percent, while America vouched for seven, but the appointing of Bush resulted in America’s withdrawal on the grounds of economic prosperity and unequal treatment. Kyoto, steadfast in its cause, was confronted by a lot of criticism, which usually surrounded political aspects and the loopholes in the treaty. Many stakeholders believe that a five percent reduction wills be insignificant without American participation. Canadians believe that the financial burden of meeting the Kyoto commitment will leave them stranded in the international market as uncompetitive compared to America who does not have to honor any restrictions; Canada might find it extremely hard to meet its initial target. Others strongly believe that such capital may be useful in more productive and developmental ventures. (Pendergast, 2002).
The American’s exclusion was not enough to eradicate Kyoto; as soon as Russia joined in late 2004, Kyoto Protocol got its much-needed boost, but until and unless the USA, who by far is the largest contributor to global Warming, won’t take any curative measures Kyoto cannot make a significant impact. The question is, is Canada still planning to honor its Kyoto commitments? In as little as a word would be a veto. With the new government in power, the Kyoto targets had to be revised and finally forfeited. According to 2005 Prime Minister, Mr. Martin and his associates pledged over ten billion to honor Kyoto commitments. However, on the other hand, Mr. Harper’s regime did not consider any provision allotment towards the Kyoto Project. Approximately 400 million were endowed with tax credit and benefits for commuters. Somewhere in 2006, the environmental minister Rona Ambrose declared that Canada would be unable to meet its Kyoto commitments. It was obvious that liberals had diverged and spent way too much to keep up international commitments but let go of the country’s prosperity. Ambrose also promised the nation a greater concentration on the emission of greenhouse gasses and various pollutants through the passage of a clean air act. This clean air act was promised to be to intensify that is the emissions would be in conjuncture with the economic output., the only drawback of such an intensity-based act, which is also clearly pointed out by critics, that the amount emitted could be lowered by the barrel of oil or kg of coal, but in case production increases the overall rates of emission would gradually increase as well. Another concern for Canada who does not wish to honor its Kyoto commitments, is fine it would have to pay for not achieving its targets by the end of 2012. (De Billy, 2005).
The trading of credits may be revoked, and deficits need to be met in the second commitment. In Canada, the specific industries involved in final harmful emissions include chemical manufacturing, aluminum smelting, glass product manufacturers’ electricity industry uses coal and gas, metallurgy, mining, paper manufacturers, and the cement industries using calcium hydroxide. Undoubtedly the level of emissions has sharply increased under the Harper administration. Harper worked strenuously at Bali and Nairobi conferences to make sure no fixed targets were set for Canada. When Harper can use this opportunity to benefit, Berkley and debasement of fossil fuel could bring about a significant increase in GDP and creation of jobs. But to think about it would blame Exxon and all other oil companies involved is the right thing to do. Harper is surely acting on behalf of Canadian citizens, and it is the citizens that are worried about the drastic revamping of the economy. Gradually reducing the levels of greenhouse gasses will not affect the economy, but drastically attempting to reduce it would certainly affect the economy adversely. And politically speaking, parties cannot win the support of the people who preach the drastic change. (De Billy, 2005).
As most countries in the world know that the exploring and production of energy sources like gas and oil can be an uphill task, especially if emission reduction is a prerequisite. A company like Devon pays close attention to being environmentally cautious. For example, in Canadian operations, Devon reaches far beyond government rules and regulations; technology and educational resources are dedicated to the cause. The first government initiative was the registering of credits; according to the governor, businesses and individuals could voluntarily register the emissions quantity, the amount targeted to reduce, and the reduction achieved. The number of offsets of all these provisions were made in Bill 15, where building standards and vehicles specification. The bill caters to reduce all greenhouse gases, which include carbon dioxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, nitrous oxide, and perfluorocarbons. As seen throughout that the direct cause of Global Warming is the superfluous emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Canada could try hard to honor its Kyoto commitments at the expense of the economy. The government, instead of using the hard-earned taxpayer’s money a rebate on the general sales tax for hybrid vehicles and lawnmowers, etc., in this way, manufacturers will be encouraged to produce low emitting vehicles. The fact that the government of Canada is concerned about environmental atrocities cannot be denied. The determinants of acid rain smog definitely affect global Warming. The government has taken the initiative to enforce the Clean Air Act by considering the greenhouse gasses and other pollutants, to preserve the health of the Canadian people. This act will provide the government with more authority to enforce targets strictly. Replace the shady ad hoc committee with a move consistent with nationally standardized law. To treat all issues in combination and not isolation. This step was a major one; this move was basically specifically designed to cater to various sectors with their own regulations. By the end of this decade, the government will devise final targets and monitoring tools. (Ambrose, 2006).
A detailed investigation into the goods and services that contribute to pollution and global warming. The factors ignored of indoor air quality will be dealt with with stricter regulations. To cater fort the largest contributors’ vehicles were catered for under the Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption Standards Act to achieve the standards of efficient fuel consumption. Energy consumption performance standards for about 20 more products in addition to the existing 10. This would help regulate 80 percent of home energy consumption and 88 percent of commercial use. The greenhouse effect is due to mankind’s own fault, and it is in our hands to curtail it. The amount and quantity of gasses are steadily increasing. Astonishingly it might even be possible that today we are inhaling carbon dioxide that was emitted at the time Napoleon and his troops took the Russian march. It is also possible that in the year 2190, you and I might inhale carbon dioxide emitted from our chimney today. It is important for citizens and the government to firstly identify the sources of these harmful emissions and curtail them before it’s too late. Everyone understands the essentiality of the workings of the greenhouse. But when the number of greenhouse increases, then it could pose a daunting problem for humans. The overall rise in temperature has been up to 0.6 degrees Celsius, and the sea level has risen approximately 15 cm. due to this increased temperature, oceans expand, and ice melts, leading to further problems. Although these problems might not seem dramatic now but over a sustained period, they will pose problems. (Ambrose, 2006).
Climate fluctuations can affect the globe and single habitations adversely. Many factors need to be considered; the health care sector will need to revamp and adapt, as will agricultural practices. The households and industries will need to alter their water usage patterns. The pattern of ecology will be disturbed, the floods will tend to be larger and droughts prolonged, major infrastructure expenditure and development will need to take place. Global Warming, the reduction of the ozone layer and other pollutants, are going to reduce the standard of living of the earth’s inhabitants considerably. All problems are dealt with in isolation but are imperatively linked with each other. The perception that CFCs only deplete the ozone layer is right but also that this contributes to global warming and acid rain. The industry with their carbon dioxide emissions directly causes global Warming. While the sulfur emissions are turned into acid and cause acid rain or become aerosols which adversely affect the ozone. Reduction of SO2 per out will only cause a proportionate increase in carbon dioxide emissions. This situation is dreadful and a little out of control, it is important and difficult that we must reduce the usage of fossil fuel. With a strenuous effort and dedication we can reforest and help reduce global Warming. To eradicate the ozone layer depletion, the simple answer for Canada and the whole world is to ban the manufacturing of CFC and HFC. (Anderson, 2007).
References
Ambrose , Rona (2006). Canada backs away from Kyoto protocol. 2008. Web.
Anderson, Mitchell (2007). Global Warming grinch. 2008. Web.
Andrew Simms, Andrew Simms (2003). Quotations on global Warming. 2008. Web.
De Billy, Lavery, (2005). The Immediate effects of the Kyoto Protocol and Canada’s Green Project. 2008. Web.
Pendergast , Duane (2002). Canada’s Climate change plans m Project Green, Kyoto. 2008. Computer- thoughtful analysis and commentary on climate change and greenhouse gas management. Web.
Society for Conservation Biology (2001). Kyoto’s Global Warming Controls Could Harm Forests. ScienceDaily. 2008. Web.