Newspark — Will Canada Meet its Climate Commitments?

Fig.1. Diaz, Daniel. Pixabay; Web. September 6, 2018.

Background: 

As part of the Paris Agreement, Canada recently submitted its latest greenhouse gas (GHG) emission report to the United Nations. The results showed an encouraging downward trend but experts warn the trend needs to be bigger to meet targets. Currently, Canada emits 704 million tonnes of GHGS each year. Canada’s commitment with the Paris Agreement is to get emissions down to 517 million tonnes by 2030. This means Canada has to find a way to reduce emissions by 187 million tonnes to meet their goal while meeting any growing demand due to growth. 

Although this seems like a big challenge, the federal government is committed to meeting the targets. Their strategy has included providing billions of dollars for public transportation and reforestation. The government is also encouraged by new technologies that will help carbon-heavy reduce industries reduce their emissions. On the other hand GHG emissions might be a bigger problem then recently thought. A recent study has now shown that plastic exposed to sun emit GHGs, especially single use plastic bags. If this new understanding is considered, it may affect Canada’s challenge to meet targets. 

While encouraging, scientists are raising concerns about the thawing permafrost (ground that remains frozen for two or more years). Currently, the permafrost of the world holds 1,500 billions tons of carbon (about double the amount of carbon in the atmosphere today)  from the remains of plants and animals that became frozen before they decomposed. Unfortunately, when permafrost thaws, it releases carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. As the earth’s temperature rises, more permafrost will thaw, releasing carbon rather than storing it

National GHG targets can only be met with the support of the provinces and territories. In 2016 Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan and all three territories saw emissions drop while other provinces saw minimal rises.

climate-change-contribution
Fig.2. Chodosh, Sara. Data from Wynes & Nicholas, 2017. Popular Science. Web. September 6, 2018.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why should we work towards reducing our greenhouse gases?
  2. What is the Paris Climate Agreement?
  3. What is the economic benefit to reducing greenhouse gases?
  4. What is holding Canada, and other provinces back from meeting their GHG targets?
  5. What can you do to reduce your GHGs?
  6. What can your school do to reduce their GHGs?
  7. If you were Prime Minister for a day, what 3 things would you do to help Canada reduce their GHG emissions?

The Big Question:

How can Canada meet its target for the Paris Agreement by 2030 while also considering government changes, population changes, new technologies, updated research, and economic pressures?

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