Our Climate is Changing

All Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions every time we turn on a light, drive the car to the corner store, start up a computer or do anything that uses energy.

If we're part of the problem, we must be part of the solution. That's why Canada is considering the impacts, costs and benefits of meeting its Kyoto commitments, the options for doing so, and why the Government of Canada is asking Canadians what they think.

The Earth is Getting Warmer

A panel of international scientists has predicted that average global temperatures could rise by as much as 1.4°C to 5.8°C by the end of the 21st century. In Canada, average temperatures in some regions could rise by as much as 5°C to 10°C.

We Are Changing Our Climate

Gases in our atmosphere – water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – act like a greenhouse to keep the sun's heat in and help make our planet livable. Without this natural greenhouse effect, the average temperature on Earth would be -18°C, too cold to support life.

But too many greenhouse gases can be harmful. As we burn more and more fossil fuels to power our cars and trucks, keep our industries humming and make our homes more comfortable, we are increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases are thickening the blanket that insulates the Earth, causing average temperatures to rise.

What's Wrong With Warmer Temperatures?

To some Canadians, warmer temperatures may seem appealing – especially in the middle of winter. But scientists in Canada and around the world have warned of the possible consequences, some of which we may already be experiencing:

• More severe weather events such as thunderstorms, heavy rains, hail, and tornadoes could take a heavy toll on human lives and property.
• Longer and more intense heat waves could make air pollution in larger urban areas worse. Air pollution has been linked to increased deaths and illness from asthma and other respiratory diseases.
• More droughts could harm crop yields and increase the risk of forest fire.
• Drier conditions could affect the quantity and quality of our water.
• Sea-level rises could increase flooding and erosion along Canada's coasts. Combined with violent storms, this could cause sea water to surge inland, damaging buildings, roads, and bridges.

What the Government is Doing

Since 1998, the Government of Canada has invested 1.6 billion dollars in many initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, for example, in the transportation, energy, industry and buildings sectors as well as in its own operations.

More recently the Government of Canada released A Discussion Paper on Canada's Contribution to Addressing Climate Change, which lays out four options to meet Canada's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

Each of the options encourages industry to be more energy efficient. Under the Practical Domestic Emissions Trading option, companies would be required to hold a permit for each tonne of greenhouse gas they emit. Those who reduce their emissions would be able to sell their excess permits to companies whose emissions exceeded their permits.

Another option is the All Targeted Measures, that would achieve Canada’s climate change commitments entirely through policy options, including incentives, regulations, and, possibly, fiscal measures.

The Mixed Approach is the third option, which brings together domestic emissions trading, targeted measures, and government purchase of international permits.

Finally, there's the Adjusted Mixed Approach. This approach draws on elements from previous options, but is designed to ease competitiveness concerns for growing companies that have high emissions, or are facing high costs in reducing their emissions. This option also builds in an offsets system and reflects the request to have credits for cleaner energy exports recognized.

In-depth consultations are being held on the discussion paper with some 900 stakeholders in every jurisdiction in Canada.

For more details, the highlights and the full discussion paper are available on the Web site. The views of all Canadians are welcome. Comments can be sent in directly via e-mail on the discussion paper Web site.

Following these consultations, the Government of Canada will identify a preferred approach, which will be based on one or a combination of the four options, as well as input from Canadians. A draft plan will be prepared over the summer and a second round of consultations with all Canadians on that plan will take place in the fall.