What is Climate Change?
When we speak of climate change, we are referring to changes in the climate of the Earth as a whole. The rate and magnitude of global climate changes over the long term have many implications for natural ecosystems.
A natural system known as the "greenhouse effect" regulates the temperature on earth. Human activities have the potential to disrupt the balance of this system.
As human societies adopt increasingly sophisticated and mechanized lifestyles, the amounts of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere have increased. By increasing the amount of these gases, humankind has enhanced the warming capability of the natural greenhouse effect. It is the human-induced enhanced greenhouse effect that causes environmental concern. It has the potential to warm the planet at a rate that has never been experienced in human history.
The Earth is Getting Warmer
An international scientific consensus has emerged that our world is getting warmer. Abundant data demonstrate that global climate was warmed during the past 150 years. The increase in temperature was not constant, but rather consisted of warming and cooling cycles at intervals of several decades. Nonetheless, the long term trend is one of net global warming. Corresponding with this warming, alpine glaciers have been retreating, sea levels have risen, and climatic zones are shifting.
Climate scientists around the world agree that average global temperatures could rise by 1.4 to 5.8 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. This increase will not be distributed evenly around the globe; in Canada, this could mean an increase in annual mean temperatures in some regions of more than 5 degrees.
Climate change is more than a warming trend. Increasing temperatures will lead to changes in many aspects of weather, such as wind patterns, the amount and type of precipitation, and the types and frequency of severe weather events that may be expected to occur. Such climate change could have far-reaching and/or unpredictable environmental, social and economic consequences.
Additional resources on Climate Change:
What is Canada Doing?
Climate change is a global challenge, and the Kyoto Protocol is the only global mechanism with targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Canada is a strong supporter of the Kyoto Protocol.
Canada's Kyoto target is challenging. However, Canada has many advantages that will help us rise to that challenge.
The Government of Canada is committed to the transformative, long-term change required to make reductions in GHG emissions while ensuring continued economic growth. In achieving that transformation, we believe we will meet our Kyoto target while maintaining a productive and growing economy.
On April 13, 2005 the Government of Canada announced the climate change plan: Moving Forward on Climate Change: A Plan for Honoring our Kyoto Commitment. This is the first phase of Project Green - a national project to create a healthier environment and a stronger economy by combining the efforts of governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and all Canadians to build a more sustainable future.
For more information on the Government of Canada's climate change plan: Moving Forward on Climate Change: A Plan for Honoring our Kyoto Commitment, please click here.
In addition, in November-December 2005 the Government of Canada will be hosting the first meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (MoP1) in Montréal in conjunction with the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention (CoP11). For more information about Montreal 2005, please visit Environment Canada's website dedicated to the event.
Additional resources:
For information on Canada's Project Green, please visit their website.
The UN Climate Change Conference in Montreal
Canada will host the 11th Annual United Nations Climate Change Conference from November 28 to December 9, 2005, in Montréal, Québec.
This Conference will be the first Meeting of the Parties since the Kyoto Protocol came into effect in February 2005. This event represents a milestone in the global effort to address climate change. The Conference opens a new chapter in the international dialogue on climate change, including discussions about long-term efforts to pursue and enhance efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This meeting brings together delegates from 189 countries and a large number of people from industry, business, the scientific community, and groups interested in action on climate change.
Montréal 2005 will also include a series of dynamic parallel events to reach people outside of the negotiations. These events will showcase a wide range of perspectives and solutions to the global challenge of climate change. These events present a unique opportunity for people from all sectors to exchange information and learn from the experience of others.
Montréal 2005 is expected to attract between 7,000 and 10,000 registered delegates and observers and 1,000 journalists are expected inside the formal UN meetings, and another 2,000 to 3,000 attendees are expected at Parallel Events.
For more information about specific events or exhibits, please visit:
For more general information about Montreal 2005, please visit Environment Canada's website dedicated to the event.
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