Nursing:
Introduction
Every so often, it is increasingly becoming important to reset and re-envision what a sustainable, prosperous future might look. This article seeks not only to highlight the importance of sustainability but also point to the various efforts taken by regions in the recent past to become more sustainable. Throughout the world, studies show that the ecological footprints of urban areas are one of the heavy contributors to the un-sustainability of the Earth (Greinetz, 2014). Despite this, cities continue to become, the primary human living space. Over half (50%) of the world’s population lives in urban areas. This number is expected to swell to about two-thirds (75%) by the year 2050. Statistically, this means that today, an estimated 3.9 billion people live and work in cities, and that number will continue to rise exponentially in the years to come (Greinetz, 2014). While this is a hallmark of the transformation of humanity’s socio-cultural structure, policy framework, and economic base, it presents an equally oblique future. By attracting, retaining, and concentrating people and resources, cities make it possible to lower unit costs on planetary resources so as to provide and sustain the stream of flow of public services such as energy, water and sanitation, shelter, and health care. Whereas there are several reasons why global cities are increasing their focus on sustainability, population explosion is perhaps one of the greatest reasons why city sustainability is so important (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 2010). A rising population puts pressure on the bare resources of life such as food, water, medicine, and shelter. It also leans heavily on issues such as fossil fuel depletion, water resources, climate change and weather variability (The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission [MCEC] & International Institute for Sustainable Development [IISD], 2001).
The important for cities to try to reduce their environmental impact
It is, therefore, crucial for cities to reduce their impacts on the environment. There are several reasons for this. First, reducing these impacts is essential in facilitating the provision of necessities of life such as ample energy supply, adequate and quality food, water, and shelter. Because the provision of these essential services and goods depends entirely on having a working infrastructure that can sustain the delivery mechanism for the long-term, sustainability in the environmental front can assist in the achievement of the same. Thirdly, reducing ecological impacts is important to support and sustain the agricultural food requirements for the increasing global population (Runnalls, 2007). Fourthly, urbanization framework built around reducing the after-ecological impacts can contribute to accommodate the development of cities. Lastly, controlling climate change and sustaining biodiversity are other issues that can be adequately remedied through sustainable development which revolves around reducing human environmental impacts (UNEP, 2010).
Overview of the study area
Manitoba is a province in Canada. With its Capital Winnipeg, it is one of the three Prairie Provinces bordered to the east by the province of Ontario. To the West, the Manitoba region flanks the province of Saskatchewan and the Nunavut territory to the north. On its Southside lies the US states of Minnesota and North Dakota (Brinkhoff, 2016). With a population of 1,208,268 (2011) and which is expected to grow to 1,293,378 (2015 estimates), Manitoba is the fifth-most populous province in Canada. The major cities of the region are Winnipeg the capital, Brandon, Dauphin, Selkirk, Winkler, Thompson Town, Portage la Prairie, and Steinbach (Brinkhoff, 2016). Geographically, Manitoba is mostly a flat land with limited elevations towards the southwest. Here, are Manitoba’s mountains that include the Porcupine and Pembina Ranges and Duck Mountain (the highest point at 2,727 ft.) (Weir, 2015). Geologically, more than half of the province is covered by the Canadian Shield, which slopes gently towards the northeast before flattening out into the Bay of Hudson (Weir, 2015). Manitoba harbors several rivers (like Churchill, Gods, Poplar, and Wolverine) and lakes (such as Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Winnipegosis) just to name but a few. Demographically, the majority of the people (about 90%) live within or near the largest cities located in the far southern region of the province (Weir, 2015).
Like most areas in Canada, Manitoba was largely a rural setting before it joined the Confederation. Before this time, only a small portion of its population (4%) lived in urban centers. Today, 72% of Manitobans live in urban centers (Weir, 2015). Of this population, over four-fifths and approximately 60% of the entire population of the province resides in the metropolitan region of Winnipeg (Weir, 2015). During the Boom years at the turn of the 20th century, Winnipeg arose as the economic, seat of government, and the transportation hub of Western Canada (Weir, 2015).
Discussion
Just like major urbanized regions in the world, Manitoba faces serious looming environment-related challenges. For example, the vitality of Lake Winnipeg – the central feature of the province’s landscape – is in jeopardy. Such factors as habitat destruction, environmental pollution, invasion by foreign floral and faunal species, climate change and weather variability, uncontrolled water exploitation, artificial eutrophication, and soil erosion severely threaten the lake in a cause and effect interaction (Government of Canada, 2016). This state of Lake Winnipeg is just an illustration of the water issues in the province. Even though the air concerns in the region are a problem of a localized nature, where it has an impact on the local people and the nearby environment, the presence of the issue is a course for concern. Some of the air issues include the presence of toxic fumes, particulate air contaminants, noise, and odors (Government of Canada, 2016). The sources of these adverse environmental impacts arise from human activities such as intense agricultural production and use of commercial pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in the case of eutrophication. Other primary sources include vehicle emissions, Greenhouse gasses (GHGs), ozone layer destruction, and habitat degradation (Province of Manitoba, 2016).
Regardless of the above challenges, Manitoba has made a significant improvement in the recent past to prevent, manage, and recycle it wastes (Manitoba's Green Plan, 2014). Throughout the province, private entities, the general public, local government municipalities, the industrial sector, businesses, and institutions have all embraced waste prevention and recycling, helping to reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfill. This initiative has helped the province lessen the amount of wastes going to landfills by approximately 15% since the 1990s as at 2014 (Manitoba's Green Plan, 2014). Additionally, these waste diversion practices are expected to improve following the implementation of the extended producer responsibility programs, the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WraPP) Fund, the Common Waste reduction and recycling support landfill levy (Wrars) (Manitoba's Green Plan, 2014). Other policy instruments that the city is using to address the waste problem include the Blue Box Program and the proper use of the Producer responsibility organization (Pros) to manage designated waste materials and operate their recycling programs (Manitoba's Green Plan, 2014). Because of these practices, the province was able to recover 13.6 million liters of used oil, 323,700 liters of antifreeze, collect 3,026 tons of e-waste from 57 sites, and place close to 40,000 recycling bins across the country in 2013 alone (Manitoba's Green Plan, 2014).
While the province has made strong progress in the Waste Reduction and Recycling sector, it has scored dismally on climate change and carbon competitive cities front. In most parts of the province, average temperatures have increased by 1-20C in the past 60 years (Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plan, 2015). The current warming episodes are projected to continue, precipitation pattern to change and become more unpredictable, and incidences of water scarcity to be more frequent and intense if current trends do not alter (Province of Manitoba, 2016). For Manitoba, climate change means permafrost thawing that will cause the northern infrastructural system to buckle and deteriorate while ecosystem modifications and alterations will affect access to traditional foods. Warmer temperatures will cause an increase in extreme events such as heat waves, forest fires, an outbreak of pests and diseases, and frequent episodes of drought (Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plan, 2015). In light of these facts, Manitoba has historically taken steps to build a sustainable low-carbon economy (MCEC & IISD, 2001). For example, in attempts to reduce its carbon footprint, the province derives 98% of its electricity exclusively from renewable hydro-electricity (HEP) (Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plan, 2015).
In addition to being renewable, Manitoba HEP activities also inspire the government to invest in other PowerSmart initiatives like wind and solar. From smart energy initiatives like the HEP and the protection of the fragile natural eco-zones like the expansive boreal forest to disseminating highly innovative green transportation solutions, Manitoba approaches the issues of climate change and green economic growth with innovative solutions. These include the installation of sufficient geothermal heating, and cooling heat pumps through the province, the implementation of Emissions Tax on Coal and Petroleum Coke to curb GHGs, promoting Sustainable Farming Systems, and streamlining public transportation (Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), 2013). There is, however, more the province needs to do to address its Climate Change and Carbon competitiveness. Some of such initiatives include habitat protection and conservation, public enlightenment and education on the need to protect the environment, levying of eco-tax, fines, and charges to inspire sustainable behavior. Deliberate cuts on GHGs and the institutionalization and implementation of climate mitigation rules and regulations can also come a long way in improving sustainability (MCEC & IISD, 2001).
Conclusion
Climate change is the defining socio-economic, policy, and environmental issue of our time. There is, therefore, the urgent need to reduce drivers of climate change such as GHG emission, care more for our natural environment, adapt to the new realities of climate change, and proactively engage in the creation of a low-carbon sustainable society for the betterment of all. Manitoba is already making tremendous steps in waste management and recycling and the development of clean sources of energy, but more work is still required. Curbing climate change and creating a sustainable future requires collective actions of the government, private sector, industry, and individuals. Manitoba could consider designing and instituting action plans, with the leadership of the provincial government, that among other issues invest in green technologies, promote climate adaptation strategies, and encourage the people of Manitoba to reduce their ecological footprints.
References
Brinkhoff, T. (2016). Canada: Manitoba - Population Development. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from http://www.citypopulation.de/Canada-Manitoba.html
Government of Canada. (2016, February 2). Environment and Climate Change Canada - Environmental Indicators - Nutrients in Lake Winnipeg. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from https://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/default.asp?lang=en&n=55379785-1
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Manitoba's Green Plan. (2014). Recycling and Waste Reduction: A Discussion Paper. Retrieved from https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/envprograms/recycling/pdf/mb_recycling_strategy_2014.pdf
Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Economy Action Plan. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/climate/pdf/mb-climate-change-green-economy-action-plan.pdf
Province of Manitoba. (2016). Environmental Programs & Strategies: Conservation and Water Stewardship. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/envprograms/airquality/
Runnalls, D. (2007). Climate Change Impacts in Manitoba. Retrieved from International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) website: https://www.iisd.org/sites/default/files/publications/com_climate_impacts_mb.pdf
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). (2013). Why the World Needs an Urban Sustainable Development Goal. Retrieved from UN HABITAT and The Global Network of Cities, Local, and Regional Governmnets website: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/2569130918-SDSN-Why-the-World-Needs-an-Urban-SDG.pdf
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2010). Waste and Climate Change: Global Trends and Strategy Framework. Retrieved from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) website: http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/spc/Waste&ClimateChange/Waste&ClimateChange.pdf
Weir, T. R. (2015, May 29). The Canadian Provinces - Manitoba. Retrieved April 10, 2016, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/manitoba/
