Memo Summary

For the last two decades, the increased use of fossil energy caused the environmental problems. The evidence of global warming, like drying rivers, extinction of species, melting of glaciers, became more often around the planet. The climate change became a threat to healthy environment and prosperity of humanity and wildlife, and the world community started searching for solution to combat climate change. In 2008 British Columbia introduced carbon tax on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reduce global warming. Starting from $10 per tonne of CO2, the price was increasing annually till it reached $30 per tonne in 2012. During that period British Columbia was reducing harmful emissions and improving economy comparing to the rest of Canada. However, since the price rise on carbon stopped in 2012, no improving changes in cutting emissions, economy, and overall quality of life have been noticed. In this essay I will persuade that British Columbia should continue gradually increase price on carbon tax to the level where it will significantly cut the use of dirty energy, provide enough investments into the green projects, and support low-income families.

Stephane Dion (2007) published a summary of the liberal party’s proposal intended to decrease the carbon emissions in Canada. The liberal party suggested making the carbon emissions reduction not only a governmental concern but also the businesses need to get involved. This proposal recommended having a targeted goal so that all the businesses can be on the same page. The industries that would respect these new regulations and reduce their carbon emissions would be recognized and those that do not would be penalized. The party believed that the long-term positive effects outweigh socially and economically the negative impacts. The liberal party was certain that this new plan took into account the human lives threaten by climate change. Reading this article, the question that arose is: would this plan affect the economy of the country if applied?

Air pollution is a big problem here in Canada. With so many companies, factories and gas emitting power sources, our country has a numerous amount of greenhouse emissions. In fact, Canadian companies has contributed to 73% more air pollution than the United States. Our companies produced up to 29% more respiratory toxins than the U.S. as well. If you look at major cities like Toronto or Edmonton, you’ll notice how the air is thicker than usual. That’s because of the air pollutants such as transportation, agriculture, forestry, and domestic uses. These pollutants create something called, the ground level ozone layer, or smog as most people call it. This kind of air pollution gravely affects humans, animals, plants, or

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a necessity to combat climate change. The main greenhouse gas produced by human actions is carbon dioxide or CO2 (Overview of Greenhouse Gases). In 2014, Canada’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases was the oil and gas sector, composing of 26% of total emissions or 192 megatonnes (Mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector, 2016). Considering the impact of climate change on ecosystems, economies, and communities, it is essential for Canada to identify which system has the most impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions (Impacts of Climate Change).

Climate change is becoming a major issue in Canada and in order to reduce the impact global emission needs usage to start dropping as soon as possible. Therefore, a carbon tax levy has been recently implemented in Alberta. The tax is based on greenhouse gas emission caused from burning fossil fuels. The main reason the province is enforcing Carbon tax is to potentially reduce emission which will develope a change in our climate. B.C has implemented the Carbon tax levy since 2008, and has seen a positive outcome thus far.

There is something occurring in Canada. You may have lived here all your life and seen it or haven’t never even thought about it once. Over the period from 1948 to 2013 the annual temperature in Canada has warmed by 1.6[Symbol]C {Government of Canada, 2015}. Along with that, the arctic region of Canada has been warming four times faster than the rest of the planet since the 1970’s {Feket, J 2014 & McDonald, B 2014}. The glaciers are also melting too. The Melville Icecap has lost 13% of its mass since the 1960’s {Feket, J 2015}. With these facts I have come to a thesis regarding this growing Canadian issue, the citizens of Canada, whether or not they are running the government or helping Canadian businesses grow, they need to do more about

In July 2017, “Toronto City Council unanimously approved City’s long-term path to reduce city-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050”. A performance goal of 20% per capita GHG emissions reduction by 2035 from 2014 levels was put into effect, based on feasible energy saving opportunities at each facility. Initiatives used to achieve this goal include reducing energy consumption (electricity and natural gas) and increasing the use of renewable energy.

This engagement process was facilitated by the City of Edmonton’s Office of Environment and was in partnership with Alberta Climate Change Dialogue (ABCD) and the Centre for Public Involvement (CPI) (Citizens’ Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate changes, 2013, pg. 1). The goals of the panel, the function and the process were clearly outlined in the Participants Handbook 2012 given to all the panel participants (Citizens’ Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate changes Participant Handbook, 2012, pgs. 1-84). The goals of the project was to explore Edmontonians views on the importance of reducing its carbon footprint for future policy and direction. Final recommendations included that “the City of Edmonton take the measures needed to become a low Carbon City by 2050 and six goals (Citizens’ Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate changes, 2013, pg. 1) were determined by this engagement process.

At the 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference, countries around the world joined to discuss the substantial problem of climate change. Together, they came up with a universal climate agreement that consists of policies that each country must follow so that our planet’s current condition is improved. In order to meet its goal, Canada must change its transportation regulations, invest in renewable energy and improve its food regulations.

The June 2007 , Change in the Air article thoroughly explains and discusses the new ideas and plans that the municipal government of Toronto is bound to enforce within the near future. Climate change is the single biggest issue that the planet currently faces. The City of Toronto is commited to face the challenge through environmental leadership and a sustainable future for all Torontonians. To adress this following challenge, Torontonians are encouraged to adopt more enviromentally friendly lifestyles. Some plans of many that the city is willing to enforce. Some of these programs incldue, “The Live Green Toronto program”, create a City-delivered “one-window” source of information on federal, provincial, municipal, private sector and community programs related to energy and other environmental issues, establish new standards to require and regulate green roofs in the City, and update the Green Development Standard accordingly, as well among other plans. If Toronto goes along with these respective plans it will help Toronto become a leader in local energy reproduction, which will help Toronto build a sustainable transport system. If Toronto goes along with this plan, we will see Toronto Tree canopy icrease drastically from 17%

The Canadian government ought to take a tougher stand against business enterprises who are causing negative environmental externalities by levying taxes, intensifying standards and introducing new environmental programs. Canada wants to be a world leader in climate change and now is the time to act and set the standard. Revenues generated through taxes will be rolled into environmental programs and businesses will be forced to innovate to find new ways of doing business.

The article Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Ontario Waste Management Industry by Maria Kelleher, Christina Seidel, and Ralph Torrie, examined cap and trade policies for greenhouse gases and waste management systems in Ontario, Canada. The authors purpose was to summarize the connections between Ontario’s waste management industry and greenhouse gas emissions, as wells as to identify and explore opportunities and challenges associated with GHG cap and trade systems in industries (Kelleher, Seidel, & Torrie, 2015). A cap and trade policy for GHGs is in preparation for implantation in Ontario. The waste management industry influences GHGs in a variety of ways. Some of these influences include

The Province of Ontario is not only the recipient of transboundary air pollution, but contributes

Greenhouse gas regulation (GHG) is one of the ways that eases climate change while keeping Canadian economy. They must consider mitigating greenhouse emission under the condition of rising energy production and greenhouse gas consistently (Tarnoczi & Driver, 2014). In addition, Canada is a third largest oil reserves, as well as ninth largest emitter in the world and approximately 25% of greenhouse gas is attributed to transportation (Figures, 2015). Therefore, the effort of people is needed for significant reduction. Canadian governments try to achieve it through the stringent regulation for the transportation and electricity sectors (N.A, 2015). However, advantage and disadvantage for both people and industry exist at least. Forum (2013) indicates

Ontario is looking to partner with First Nation communities to ensure a transition to non-fossil fuel energy that will minimize the impact on the communities. This can potentially be done through investments in energy efficiency, micro-grids and renewable energy. Remote communities will be connected to the provincial electricity grid through the partnership of the federal government and First Nations. Renewable energy such as biomass, solar and waterpower will be the focus of the projects. A fund will be established for community-level greenhouse gas pollution reduction projects and for community energy and climate action planning. Jobs will be established among post-secondary institutions that are low-carbon along with training partnerships. This initiative