The Effects of Greenhouse Gas Emission in Canada
Abstract
Greenhouse gas emissions, which is one of the main factors in climate change, is considered to be a highly severe issue, and it has affected countries all over the world, including Canada. From 1990 to 2018, greenhouse gas emissions in Canada increased by 20.9% due to transport, mining, gas production, and upstream oil. However, the intensity of GHGs, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide, went down by 10%. In fact, a majority of electricity in Canada non-GHG emitting sources during 2018. Between 1990 and 2017, energy efficiency improved but so did energy consumption. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, it will likely affect the health of Canadian citizens and the economy of Canada. The increasing temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions will have multiple repercussions such as rising sea levels and risk of death by heatstroke. To prevent climate change caused by greenhouse gases, renewable resources should replace fossil fuels.
CAIT Climate Data Explorer
Greenhouse gases are gases that get trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. These gases let sunlight through but fail to let it escape. This process is known as the greenhouse effect because it controls sunlight in a similar way to a greenhouse. Some greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide. Greenhouse gas emission is largely correlated with the actions of humans. While greenhouse gas emissions are projected to become a more serious issue in the future, there are measures that can be taken to improve the conditions of the world because nothing is set in stone.
The Effects
A good amount of greenhouse gas emissions result from human activities, which are from the production and consumption of energy. These may include various types of transportation that use gasoline, non-renewable electricity production, the production of oil or gas, and lastly, the heating or cooling of infrastructure. This is significant because just around 80% of the GHG emissions come from energy in Canada because inhabitants inevitably use more energy due to the extreme temperatures, vast landscape, and dispersed population that are all native to their region. Moreover, as shown in the graph below, GHG emissions have increased by 128 from 1990 to 2020, Alberta, a province in Canada, being the highest emitter.
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The fact that the numbers of GHG emissions are so high indicates that the issue in Canada is very serious, and it should arouse the public’s attention. However, there are still so many people worldwide that do not fully understand how severe the effects of climate change and GHGs are, so it is crucial to spread awareness about the significance of the effects mentioned above, leading to the next section.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) National Inventory Report 1990-2019: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) National Inventory Report 1990-2019: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) National Inventory Report 1990-2019: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
The Significance of Those Effects
Although many people do not realize it, greenhouse gases are actually vital to human life on Earth, and they are the reason why we are able to not be overheated by the sun when going out for a walk or become frozen when we visit our friends and family outside. In other words, GHGs maintain conditions that make life possible on Earth mainly because it keeps some of Earth’s heat and energy, so it does not escape into space or the atmosphere. This process of trapping heat is known as the greenhouse effect. If there is too little greenhouse gas, then the Earth would become extremely cold. On the other hand, if there is too much GHG, then the planet that we call home would become an uninhabitable land of heat. Consequently, this is why maintaining the perfect balance between carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms are so important.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) National Inventory Report 1990-2019: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
Ways to Improve
Even though there are long-lasting effects to large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, there are ways to improve the situation and better the environment. One major change that can be made is the utilization of renewable energy. Instead of using sources of energy such as fossil fuels, renewable energy sources will not run out and can still power daily activities. For example, the usage of gases is present in lightbulbs. An efficient alternative to light bulbs would be solar panels because they use the energy from the sun. While solar panels could limit hours of use, sunlight is a source of energy that will not run out in the near future so it is a more reliable and better for the environment option than the alternatives.
Although an excessive amount of greenhouse gas emissions pose a threat to the future stability of the environment, there are ways in which their effects can be slowed. Greenhouse gases are necessary to human life but only in moderation. An effort must be made by the people of the world in order to reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions before they get out of hand and cause the planet to become inhabitable. The key to a healthier environment is achieving a balance of greenhouse gas emissions. If the proper measures are taken, nations will be able to reduce their carbon footprint.
Works Cited:
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Greenhouse Effect: Keeping the Balance. (2021). NASA Climate Kids. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-effect-and-carbon-cycle/
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Natural Resources Canada. (2018). Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs). Nrcan.gc.ca. https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-data/data-analysis/energy-data-analysis/energy-facts/energy-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions-ghgs/20063
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Meet the Greenhouse Gases! (2021). NASA Climate Kids. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/greenhouse-cards/#:~:text=Greenhouse%20gases%20are%20gases%20in,Carbon%20dioxide
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US EPA,OAR. (2015, December 29). Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions | US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions