Canada and Global Warming
Similar to most developing nations, Canada is faced with significant global warming challenges. Canada has a very high rate of industrial emissions that influence increases global warming rates. The country has been cited as one of the greatest sources of air emission in the Americas. With annual souring date on industrial emissions, the future can be predicted to be faced with similar challenges. Addressing the problem has also been a major problem. Both political and economic challenges have minimized the effectiveness of the strategies put in place to address the problem. The paper will analyze the need by Canada to implement policies that address global warming. In addition, challenges facing the creation and implementation of the policies will be provided.
Why should Canada implement policy to address global warming?
The level of emissions in Canada prompts the need to put in place strategies that minimize the effects on the environments as caused by the emissions. Additionally, Canada has developed an objective to safeguard the environment and mitigate environmental risks. This requires strategies that minimize the effects of air emissions. In an argument by White the general requirements to stop or minimize the effects towards global warming increases the need by Canada to put in place environmental safety strategies. The author further asserts that as a developing country, Canada struggles with the requirement to balance both its economic input and controlling industrial activity that is on the rise in the country.
In a survey conducted by White, the level of air emissions released in Canada is provided. From the information, there is a significant annual increase on the level of air emissions as caused by human activity. For instance, the need for energy in Canada has increased the level of pollution caused in the industry. Between 1990 and 2008, there is a 100% increase the in the level of air emissions released by the energy industry. The largest cause of the emissions is the transport sector which recorded a 7% increase. From the trend and failure by the country to put in place mechanisms to minimize emissions, the same statistics will be replicated by 2020. From this argument, one may point out that the data provided depict the extent of air pollution in Canada. With the rising, trend it is mandatory for the government to put in place measures aimed at reducing the environmental risks.
Additionally, being a member of the Kyoto Protocol, Canada is required to abide by the global emissions policies. The body requires developing nations to minimize its carbon dioxide emissions in the air. Countries are required to monitor industrial activities and detect possible ways that their carbon emissions may be minimized. Moreover, the state is required to develop policies and regulations that industries should abide by in regards to emissions. With the level of carbon emissions in Canada, it is an accurate assumption that the effects on the environment would be dire. The nation has a high probability of suffering from the effects of global warming.
Why is it so difficult for Canada to commit to international climate change policy?
In most developing countries the greatest cause of emissions is a growing industrial sector. The sector is a major consumption of energy. This results into massive emissions. However, the industrial sector provides a major economic input in these countries. Developing countries significantly depend on the industrial sector for income and financial independency. For this reason, sustaining industrial activity is perceived as mandatory. The situation is similar in Canada where industrial activity is the greatest cause of carbon emissions. In additionally, the effect of the failure to balance between economic income and industrial activity is the greatest cause on increased pollution. In implementing the requirements of the international climate change policies, the level of industrial activity would be minimized. Consequently, the economic output would be affected. This has been the greatest challenge and setback in the creation of mechanism that may aid in the implementation of the international climate change policy requirements. Ragan is of the assumption that Canada’s overreliance on its industrial sector for economy development is a major problem to minimize the excessive carbon emissions.
The economic constrain is supplemented by political factors in regards to the setback in the implementation of international climate change policies. The level of control of industrial activity is dependent on the level of government participation in the developing climate change policies. The political leadership is also responsible of ensuring that the economy sustains the population. In Canada the political leadership focuses on the demand of the people to create a stable economy. This is in replacement of the requirements to minimize carbon emissions. The political-economic factor has also increased the support placed in industrial activity as Canada seeks to be a developed country.
References
Ragan, Christopher. From Fiscal Squeeze to Climate Change: Canada’s Coming Economic Challenges. Policy Options. October 2009. http://policyoptions.irpp.org/issues/minority-government/from-the-fiscal-squeeze-to-climate-change-canadas-coming-economic-challenges/
White, Rodney. Climate Change in Canada. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
