The climate is changing

It is now widely recognized that Earth's climate is changing, and that the impacts of climate change will be felt in the decades ahead. Scientists have concluded that the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernable human influence on global climate. It's time to take action.

Necessity encourages innovation

Climate change is creating a demand for good ideas that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions - new technologies, alternative energy sources, progressive government policies, and lifestyle choices. We can be innovators at home, at work, in the marketplace, and within our communities. It's up to us!

Limestone generating station, Manitoba (Manitoba Hydro)

Adapting to change

By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can slow the rate and eventual magnitude of climate change. But we will also have to adapt, because some climate change is now inevitable.

Take action on climate change

Canadians are being encouraged to become informed on climate change, and support efforts to slow its progress. On a practical level the most important step you can take is to practice energy efficiency in your everyday life - in our homes, our schools, in our transportation habits, and in the workplace.

Natural gas well with solar panel. Used to power monitoring equipment. (Soltek Solar Energy Ltd.)

Better safe than sorry!

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is expected to have only a partial impact - it will slow the warming trend; however, slowing the rate of warming will provide us with more time to adapt to our changing environment. It will give us time to find new ways to reduce our emissions. The longer we wait to take action, the fewer options we may have for dealing with climate change.

(Turner and Clague, 1999)

References

Turner, R.J.W. and Clague, J.J., 1999: Temperature rising: climate change in southwestern British Columbia; Geological Survey of Canada, Miscellaneous Report 67.