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Climate change is a change in climate over a time period that ranges from decades to centuries and refers to both natural and human-induced changes. Currently, human activities are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere at a higher than normal rate. Greenhouse gases, although small in abundance, are excellent heat absorbers. This heat trapping effect is warming our planet. Some of the important greenhouse gases include: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides.

Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gases (GHG), accounting for 25 per cent of Canada’s total output. It also contributes to urban smog and poor air quality. That’s why Transport Canada’s vision for the future, Straight Ahead, outlines a number of actions to foster sustainable transportation, raise awareness, and promote environmental considerations in government decision making.

In its Climate Change Plan for Canada, the Government has challenged each and every Canadian to reduce personal GHG output by one tonne (1,000 kg.) annually. If we achieve this goal, GHG output would be reduced by more than 30 million tonnes a year.

For more information, see:

• British Columbia and Climate Change
• Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Canada Climate Change Development Fund 
• Climate Change Action Fund
• Climate Change Calculator
• Environment Canada and Climate Change
• Government of Canada and Climate Change
• Health Canada and Climate Change
• Indicators of Climate Change for British Columbia for 2002
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 
• Natural Resources Canada and Cimate Change