WELLS OF KNOWLEDGE
Chapter 9 Notes PackageHow should governments in Canada respond to political and economic issues?Focus Questions for Chapter:How do environmental issues involve political and economic decision making?What political and economic decisions should Canadians make to respond to climate change?What political and economic decisions should Canadians make to protect biodiversity?Important Vocabulary:TermDefinitionExamplesBiodiversity- the number and variety of plant and animal species on Earth, including genetic variation within species.-the Amazon rainforest is a great example of the diversity of life.Climate Change- a rise in the average temperature of the Earth, primarily caused by emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas.-Earth’s temperature has risen sharply since the industrial revolution.Greenhouse Gas- GHG’s capture the heat generated by the sun, which the heat then becomes trapped.-a greenhouse or the earth.CO 2 EmissionsCarbon Dioxide or CO2 is the largest emissions in greenhouse gases-Alberta and Ontario are large emitters of CO2.Kyoto Protocol- The first climate change plan the countries of the world negotiated.-Many countries signed it but the U.S. did not and Canada has changed its support.Carbon Tax- A tax directly on fossil fuels such as diesel, natural gas, propane and coal.-The B.C. government created a carbon tax in 2008 to discourage consumers from using these fuels.Focus Question 1: How Do Environmental Issues involve political & economic decision Making? What are Environmental Issues?Environmental issues arise because of human activities that change the natural world.Ex. Factories release toxins into the airIncreased emissions of GHGs Like all issues, environmental issues involves different views and perspectivesLaws & Policies are often passed to counteract these issuesEnergy-efficient light bulbs mandatory by 2012Recycling bins/Limit to house garbageEnergy rebates’center799900Are Governance, Economics & Environmental issues connected?Of Course!Gov’t policies/laws to protect environment:Public TransitFederal gov’t provides funds to develop renewable energy technologiesWind turbines (Fort Macleod)Solar panelsBiofuelClean air act 2006 – new emission standardsTax breaks on energy-efficient productsCarbon TaxBUT…what made the issue in the first place? Consumer demand!Consumers create demand for products such as oil & gas productsEx: Cars, phones, plastics, etcFocus Question #2: What political and economic decisions should Canadians make to respond to climate change?What is Climate Change?The average rise in temperature of Earth due to a buildup of greenhouse gases (GHGs).Greenhouse gases come primarily from burning fossil fuels like natural gas, gas, coal and oil, which release CO2 into the air.Results:Rising sea levelsSevere weather – floods, droughts (Are we seeing this?)Disruption of ecosystems and freshwater – loss of wildlife Different regions of the world are affected differently by global warming. Alberta has the largest CO2 output (31%) than any other province because of its oil industry & coal plantsPolitical & economic decision-making help shape the industries and plants that Alberta has. For example:Laws & policies set standards for pollution control, including GHG emissionsDemand for energy and for products influences the number of industrial plants in operationReducing GHG emissions from industry is one way to respond to climate change4533613378700The Kyoto Protocol - Attempting to deal with Climate Change!The Kyoto Protocol was the first ever climate change plan the countries of the world negotiated. Canada at first agreed, but its position has changed depending on what political party has been in power.December 1997 -?The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is held in Kyoto, Japan. Over 150 nations attend and adopt the first international treaty on controlling and reducing greenhouse gases.February 16, 2005 - The Kyoto Protocol takes effect.December 12, 2011 - Canada officially renounces the Kyoto Protocol. Environment Minister says Kyoto's goals are unworkable because the U.S. and China never agreed to Kyoto, and that a new pact is needed to address emissions.December 2012 -?The Kyoto Protocol is?extended to 2020 during a conference in Doha, Qatar.center1841500Focus Question #3: What political and economic decisions should Canadians make to protect biodiversity?Why is Biodiversity Important?Allows for a rich array of microbes, insects, plants, birds, and animalsConsidered by many to be more resilient to physical disturbances, natural disasters, and invasive speciesProvide ecological services that are expensive to replicate, like air and water purification, attracting pollinators, and providing natural material for advances in science and medicineProvide aesthetic value and reinforce a sense of place for urban dwellers, bringing a bit of nature into the cityExplore the Issues of the Woodland Caribou on p. 330 – 335 to better explore this focus questioncenter122470 ................
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