Climate Change – We’re All Part of the Solution

Background
Climate change is a complex issue studied by hundreds of scientists in Canada and around the world. Although we still have much to learn‚ there is general scientific agreement that human-made emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases (GHGs)‚ primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels‚ are at the root of the problem.

Government action
In December 2002‚ Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol‚ which commits us to reduce GHG emissions by 6 percent below 1990 levels by the period between 2008 and 2012. The climate change plan for Canada includes a challenge for all Canadians to reduce their personal annual GHG emissions, then maintain that level.

Impact of transportation
One of the largest sources of GHG emissions is the transportation sector‚ due mainly to its dependence on fossil fuels such as gasoline‚ diesel‚ coal and oil. Burning these fuels produces carbon dioxide‚ the principal GHG‚ making the transportation sector the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in Canada.

Eliminating unnecessary vehicle idling can be an important part of the climate change solution.

• Climate Change and Transportation
• Actions You Can Take
• Climate Change and Your Health
• Climate Change Links

Climate Change and Transportation

Climate Change

The earth’s atmosphere is a complex mixture of gases that trap the sun’s heat near earth’s surface‚ similar to how the glass of a greenhouse traps the sun’s warmth. Without these "greenhouse" gases (GHGs)‚ the sun’s heat would escape and the average temperature of earth would be 33 degrees cooler ( 18 C) – too cold to support life as we know it.

Scientists believe‚ however‚ that human activities are upsetting the natural balance of GHGs that existed in our atmosphere for thousands of years. As more and more GHGs accumulate in the atmosphere‚ they are causing the earth to «overheat».

Transportation and Climate Change

The main contributor to the increase in GHGs in the atmosphere is our use of fossil fuels. The combustion of fuels such as natural gas‚ diesel or coal produces carbon dioxide (CO₂)‚ the principal GHG. Since the transportation sector has traditionally been so dependent on the burning of fossil fuels‚ personal vehicle use by Canadians is now responsible for half of all transportation emissions and over two thirds (68 percent) of on-road transportation emissions. Personal vehicles alone produce 12.7 percent of the country’s total CO₂ emissions.

Automakers have developed the technology (catalytic converters) to reduce harmful emissions‚ which contribute to air pollution and smog such as hydrocarbons‚ carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide (also a GHG) from vehicle exhausts. But no technology exists for "cleaning up" the major GHG contributor – CO₂ – since it is an unavoidable by-product of burning gasoline or diesel fuel. The average car produces about 2.4 kilograms of CO₂ for every litre of gasoline used‚ or three to four times its own weight in CO₂ every year. Emissions from cars also contribute to urban smog‚ acid rain and other air quality problems.

Close to 17 million vehicles are registered in Canada today‚ and the average motorist can use about 2000 litres of fuel a year. Collectively‚ these vehicles produce 92 million tonnes of GHG emissions annually. So‚ what can an individual do to reduce their impact on the planet?

Find out what actions you can take.

Actions You Can Take

Be Auto$mart

• Buy the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs.
• Measure the manufacturer-recommended tire pressure every month.
• Drive at the posted speed limit on the highway.
• Drive calmly in the city by avoiding fast starts and hard stops.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance.
• Plan trips to combine errands and avoid traffic problems.

This can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30 percent.

In fact‚ if everyone in Canada reduced their vehicle fuel consumption by even 10 percent‚ we could collectively prevent over 14 000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from entering the atmosphere daily. What’s more‚ reduced fuel consumption would also improve the life of your vehicle and reduce its operating costs.

Stop Idling

A recent study of Canadian driving habits and behaviour suggests that in the peak of winter‚ we each voluntarily idle our vehicles for five minutes a day‚ making a combined total of more than 75 million minutes a day. This produces 1.6 million tonnes of GHGs per year and is equal to one vehicle idling for 150 years!

Excessive idling can also be hard on a vehicle’s engine. Since the engine isn’t working at its peak operating temperature‚ fuel doesn’t burn completely. This leaves fuel residues that can contaminate the engine oil and foul the spark plugs.

Why do we idle?

Warming up or cooling down a vehicle is the most common reason given for idling‚ in the winter and summer‚ respectively. Canadians also idle their vehicles when:

• waiting for passengers
• in the drive-through lanes of fast-food restaurants
• stopping at railway crossings
• waiting to park
• running quick errands
• waiting to refuel or to have the car washed
• stopping to talk to an acquaintance or friend
• preparing to leave the house

In all of these situations‚ you can avoid needless fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by simply turning off the engine.

The good news

If every driver of a light-duty vehicle in Canada avoided idling for just five minutes a day‚ we would save 1.8 million litres of fuel and $1.8 million daily (assuming fuel costs are $1/litre). What’s more‚ collectively‚ we would prevent almost 4500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere daily and contributing to climate change. In fact‚ for every day that Canadians do not idle‚ it represents the equivalent in environmental and fuel savings of taking 490 000 cars off the road for that day.

Change your habits

• Drive the vehicle to warm it up‚ rather than idling the engine (no more than 30 seconds of idling is needed on winter days to circulate oil through the engine).
• Turn off the engine if the vehicle is going to be parked somewhere for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic).
• Use a block heater in winter to warm the engine before starting (turned on by an automatic timer 2 hours before leaving).

Remember‚ overall‚ the best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it at a moderate speed.

More information on buying‚ driving and maintaining personal vehicles for maximum fuel efficiency is available on the Auto$mart Web site or by calling 1 800 387-2000 for a free information kit.

Climate Change and Your Health

Scientific projections indicate that climate change could affect the health and well-being of Canadians in a number of ways.

• Smog and heat waves
• Air pollution
• Extreme weather
• Diseases
• Water contamination
• Lack of food sources

Smog and heat waves

• Many Canadian cities and towns are now experiencing a significant rise in the number of very hot‚ smoggy days‚ with more frequent and longer heat waves. This increase in hot weather and poor air quality‚ combined with an aging population‚ is expected to result in an increase in illness and death from heat stroke and dehydration.

Air pollution

• Children‚ the elderly and people with cardio-respiratory problems are at the highest risk of experiencing adverse health effects due to air pollution‚ even at today’s levels. Projections of more frequent and severe heat waves and humidity due to future climate change indicate that this air pollution problem will worsen. Increases in smog‚ pollens and mould spores would compound the situation and affect those with cardiovascular disease‚ allergies and respiratory disorders such as asthma‚ emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Extreme weather

• Projected increases in extreme weather‚ such as tornadoes‚ floods and winter storms‚ could cause more deaths‚ injuries‚ infectious diseases (due to contaminated run-off affecting water supplies) and stress-related disorders associated with social disruption and environmentally forced migration.

Diseases

• Infectious diseases such as malaria‚ dengue and yellow fever could appear in Canada as insects carrying these diseases migrate northward with the warming of our climate.

Water contamination

• The quality and the quantity of drinking water could decline as water sources in some areas become threatened by drought. Health disorders related to environmental and water contamination by bacteria‚ viruses‚ protozoa and parasites could also increase.

Lack of food sources

• Many Aboriginal communities that follow a traditional diet based on hunting‚ fishing and other resource-based activities could be vulnerable to health problems due to predicted changes in the amount and distribution of wildlife‚ fish and vegetation.

Take Action!

Taking action on climate change is important for the environment but it can also improve the health of Canadians. Driving less is one of the most tangible things you can do. By walking or cycling instead of driving‚ we not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but gain the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and cleaner air. When driving is necessary‚ eliminating unnecessary idling can keep the environmental and health impact to a minimum.

For more information on the health impacts of climate change‚ visit the Web site of Health Canada’s Climate Change and Health Office. Information about respiratory issues is available from the Canadian Lung Association.

Climate Change Links

Looking for more information on climate change and how Canada is responding? Check out these sites:

• Government of Canada Climate Change Web site
• Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Web site
• Office of Energy Efficiency
• The Green Lane (Environment Canada)
• Climate Change and Health Office (Health Canada)
• CSA Climate Change‚ GHG Registries
• Green Communities Canada
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• Clean Air Partnership
• Climate Change Central

Also‚ check out local municipal Web sites and community groups in your area.