Lesson 19 — Activity 1: Canada and Greenhouse Gases
Completion requirements
Lesson 19 — Activity 1:
Canada and Greenhouse Gases
Canada and Greenhouse Gases
Warm Up
In this activity, you will learn how Canada contributes to greenhouse gas emissions as well as how Canada is threatened by them.
Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which makes the earth warmer than it should be. Greenhouse gases do have natural causes, but as the earth's population has increased, so too have the amounts of these gases that are man-made. A higher population means that more energy is required. More factories, vehicles and aircraft, and burning of forests to clear land are just some of the reasons for the increase in greenhouse gases that are man-made.
Click on the Play button below to watch a short video on the different types of greenhouse gases.
These gases
contribute to global warming, which affects the earth's climate. Global warming (also referred to as climate change) is the increase of the earth's surface temperature due to the effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from earth. As the earth's temperature rises, the consequences for mankind are potentially
disastrous.
What is Global Warming?
- Global warming is the result of the earth temperature heating up
- Most recently, temperatures have been rising, causing more issues for the environment, animals, animal habitats, and humans.
These gases contribute to global warming, which affects the earth's climate. Global warming (also referred to as climate change) is the increase of the earth's surface temperature due to the effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from earth. As the earth's temperature rises, the consequences for mankind are potentially disastrous.
What is Global Warming?
- Global warming is the result of the earth temperature heating up
- Most recently, temperatures have been rising, causing more issues for the environment, animals, animal habitats, and humans.
The gas that most people associate with this phenomenon is carbon dioxide, but methane, various forms of fluorocarbons, and nitrous oxide also add to the problem. These gases in the atmosphere are problems because they trap the sun's heat beneath the earth's atmosphere similar to the way a greenhouse captures the sun's heat.
Click on the Play button below to watch a video on global warming and the greenhouse effect.
Global warming could easily mean changes to our daily lives. If the global warming trend continues, we may experience shorter, warmer winters and longer, hotter summers. So what is the problem with this? Don't most Canadians head south during the winter for the warm weather? Wouldn't Canadians enjoy a warmer climate?
It is not as simple as that. Here are some things that could happen if global warming continues:
Water supply:
Some areas of Canada might get more rain while other areas might have
drier climates. Changes in water supply would have an effect on farmers
and the crops they grow.
Sea levels: The level of the oceans might rise as polar icecaps and glaciers on
mountaintops melt. If oceans rise, coastlines may flood. Some small
islands may go under water.
Plant and animal life: Some species of animals and plants may have trouble
adjusting to major changes in climate. Many years from now, some may not
be able to survive.
This problem began with industrialization, but the rate of change increased drastically in the last 25 years of the 20th century. Reversing this trend will not be easy, but necessary steps must be taken to do so.
So what about Canada?
Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Energy consumption has grown about 22% and emissions by 19% since 1990. Rising emissions trigger more rapid climate change and worsen air pollution, with serious health consequences.
So how does the increase of greenhouse gases and their effect on our environment relate to Canada's pursuit of internationalism? The energy industry and the transportation sector contribute the
greatest share of emissions. For individual Canadians, transportation (including the transportation of goods and services to other countries)
accounts for most greenhouse gas emissions. As well, the energy used in our homes also accounts for a large portion of greenhouse gas
emissions. With the trade of goods such as oil and electricity between nations, these ties contribute to the overall greenhouse gases that are emitted into our atmosphere.
As Canada (and other nations) pursue internationalism, this can have a huge effect on our environment. However, research shows that,
despite our high consumption, Canadians are eager to adopt clean,
renewable-energy technologies. The good news is that these technologies
are available now and are becoming more affordable each year. Many
Canadians also realize that cutting energy use can mean substantial
savings.
Global warming could easily mean changes to our daily lives. If the global warming trend continues, we may experience shorter, warmer winters and longer, hotter summers. So what is the problem with this? Don't most Canadians head south during the winter for the warm weather? Wouldn't Canadians enjoy a warmer climate?
It is not as simple as that. Here are some things that could happen if global warming continues:
This problem began with industrialization, but the rate of change increased drastically in the last 25 years of the 20th century. Reversing this trend will not be easy, but necessary steps must be taken to do so.
It is not as simple as that. Here are some things that could happen if global warming continues:
Water supply:
Some areas of Canada might get more rain while other areas might have
drier climates. Changes in water supply would have an effect on farmers
and the crops they grow.
Sea levels: The level of the oceans might rise as polar icecaps and glaciers on
mountaintops melt. If oceans rise, coastlines may flood. Some small
islands may go under water.
Plant and animal life: Some species of animals and plants may have trouble
adjusting to major changes in climate. Many years from now, some may not
be able to survive.
This problem began with industrialization, but the rate of change increased drastically in the last 25 years of the 20th century. Reversing this trend will not be easy, but necessary steps must be taken to do so.
So what about Canada?
Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Energy consumption has grown about 22% and emissions by 19% since 1990. Rising emissions trigger more rapid climate change and worsen air pollution, with serious health consequences.
Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Energy consumption has grown about 22% and emissions by 19% since 1990. Rising emissions trigger more rapid climate change and worsen air pollution, with serious health consequences.
So how does the increase of greenhouse gases and their effect on our environment relate to Canada's pursuit of internationalism? The energy industry and the transportation sector contribute the
greatest share of emissions. For individual Canadians, transportation (including the transportation of goods and services to other countries)
accounts for most greenhouse gas emissions. As well, the energy used in our homes also accounts for a large portion of greenhouse gas
emissions. With the trade of goods such as oil and electricity between nations, these ties contribute to the overall greenhouse gases that are emitted into our atmosphere.
As Canada (and other nations) pursue internationalism, this can have a huge effect on our environment. However, research shows that,
despite our high consumption, Canadians are eager to adopt clean,
renewable-energy technologies. The good news is that these technologies
are available now and are becoming more affordable each year. Many
Canadians also realize that cutting energy use can mean substantial
savings.
So how does the increase of greenhouse gases and their effect on our environment relate to Canada's pursuit of internationalism? The energy industry and the transportation sector contribute the greatest share of emissions. For individual Canadians, transportation (including the transportation of goods and services to other countries) accounts for most greenhouse gas emissions. As well, the energy used in our homes also accounts for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions. With the trade of goods such as oil and electricity between nations, these ties contribute to the overall greenhouse gases that are emitted into our atmosphere.
What Others Have Said ...
"According to the National Climate Assessment, human influences are the number one cause of global warming, especially the carbon pollution we cause by burning fossil fuels and the pollution-capturing we prevent by destroying forests. The carbon dioxide, methane, soot, and other pollutants we release into the atmosphere act like a blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm. Evidence shows that 2000 to 2009 was hotter than any other decade in at least the past 1,300 years. This warming is altering the earth's climate system, including its land, atmosphere, oceans, and ice, in far-reaching ways."
- Melissa Denchak, March 15, 2016, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
What Others Have Said ...
"According to the National Climate Assessment, human influences are the number one cause of global warming, especially the carbon pollution we cause by burning fossil fuels and the pollution-capturing we prevent by destroying forests. The carbon dioxide, methane, soot, and other pollutants we release into the atmosphere act like a blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm. Evidence shows that 2000 to 2009 was hotter than any other decade in at least the past 1,300 years. This warming is altering the earth's climate system, including its land, atmosphere, oceans, and ice, in far-reaching ways."
- Melissa Denchak, March 15, 2016, National Resources Defense Council (NRDC)