Governments Response to

Political and Economic Issues

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN CANADA

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
This year in social studies, you have investigated how
governance and economics connect to issues that
concern Canadians, and to citizenship and identity. This
chapter focuses on one group of issues that concern
Canadians environmental issues so that you can
apply what you have learned.
Think about how your quality of life is affected by various
factors surrounding our relationship with the
environment. Think about what the Canadian
government is and is not responsible for as a result of
increased environmental problems caused by: over
development of agricultural land, over development of
the oil sands, over development of forestry
(deforestation), urbanization, increased use of fossil
fuels, etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
As you read and study the material in this section,
consider the different views and perspectives on the
issues and to what extent you think governments
and citizens should get involved. Think about your
role in taking action on environmental issues. The
two major environmental issues that will be
examined are CLIMATE CHANGE and BIODIVERSITY

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
BIODIVERSITYthe number and
variety of plant
and animal
species on Earth,
including genetic
variation within
individual species.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
CLIMATE CHANGEa rise in the average
temperature of the
Earth, primarily
caused by emissions
from burning fossil
fuels, such as coal, oil
and natural gas

Some of the Canadian Governments

Responsibilities for Environmental Issues
Environment Canada
Environment Canadas mandate is to:
-preserve and enhance the quality of the natural
environment;
-conserve Canadas renewable resources;
-conserve and protect Canadas water resources;
-forecast weather and environmental change;
-enforce rules relating to boundary waters;
-coordinate environmental policies and programs.

Climate Change

Climate Change
It refers to a rise in the average temperature of
Earth due to a build-up of greenhouse gases
(GHGs)
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel
predicts that climate change will have a mostly
negative impact on the environment
Impacts on the environment include the rising
sea levels, severe weather, and disruption of
ecosystems and fresh water supplies

Greenhouse Gases
GHGs are created from the burning of fossil
fuels, such as natural gas, gasoline, coal and
oil
Most of the industry in the world depends on
fossil fuels to produce resources and to
transport goods and services

Can you think of how an

individual uses fossil
fuels???

Global Affect of GHGs

Just because a country emits more GHGs
does not necessarily mean that they will be
more affected by worse global warming
The geography of a region dictates how badly
it will be affected by global warming
For example the low lands of New Orleans
and Bangladesh will face severe problems
from global warming

 What two provinces have the highest

carbon dioxide emissions?
WHY???

 How does prosperity differ regionally?

The world considers Canada and the U.S.
developed countries and Mexico a
developing country

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): measures

the amount of wealth a countrys economy

generates
Per capita means average per person
GDP per capita is a way to estimate how well
off people are in a country

Think critically
Do you think there a relationship between

GDP and consumption?

Do you think there is a relationship between
consumption and emissions levels?

GDP by country

http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/david-thorpe/216296/revealed-worst-and-best-places-live-world

Pollution by country

http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/david-thorpe/216296/revealed-worst-and-best-places-live-world

 Video: China slows down GDP to reduce

pollution

 As a class, lets read pages 318-319 of the

textbook.

USA
The U.S. has faced pressure from
countries around the world to reduce
GHG emissions
In 2007, the U.S. had not joined any
international negotiations, such as the
Kyoto Protocol (turn to pg. 316)
In 2008, President Bush said the U.S.
would take action on its own to reduce
GHG emissions

USA
What factors would have influenced Bush in
his decision to not participate in the Kyoto
Accord?
International negotiations focus on reducing
GHG emissions for developed countries but
not for developing countries. WHY???
The U.S. took a stand against international
negotiations because President Bush believed
human actions were not responsible for
climate change and he believed developing
countries should not be exempt

 Video: Denying climate change

Video: Invalid Arguments Climate
Change

Results?

 Video: Canada to quit Kyoto treaty

Video: Vancouver Island Reaction to
Canada Backing Out of Kyoto Accord
Video: RMR: Heritage Moment
Kyoto Accord

Discussion
Should the government make
decisions for citizens to limit GHGs?
liberty vs security
economy vs environment
short term vs long term

What does this mean?

Our world is not perfect, BUT
If there is anything we have learned this year, it is that
YOU, the citizen, have the POWER to make changes!

With great power comes great responsibility -Stan

Lee
Find a cause that you are passionate about, and change
YOUR world for the better
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that
ever has. -Margaret Mead