What is Climate Change?
According to the 2007 report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
- The world has become warmer over the last century.
- Global average air temperatures have increased by 0.13 degree Celsius every decade for the last 50 years.
- Sea levels have increased by 0.17 meters over the last century.
- Arctic sea ice has decrease by 2.7% per decade over the last 30 years.
- Droughts have increased in frequency and duration since the 1970s.
- Heat waves have increased in frequency.
- Heavy rains and tropical cyclones have increased in intensity since the 1970s.
Reference: Government of Canada, "From Impacts to Adaptation Canada in a Changing Climate 2007", 2007
top of page
What causes climate change?
While a number of natural phenomena are known to influence the climate, the International Panel on Climate Change has concluded that, since the 1950s, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and changes in land-use patterns, have been the dominant cause of climate change.
- The energy used to drive vehicles, power equipment, and heat homes is responsible for 75% of the greenhouse gases emitted in Canada.
- Agricultural and industrial processes, that are not energy related, account for approximately 13% of the greenhouse gases emitted.
- The treatment and pumping of water and wastewater account for about 3% of greenhouse gases.
- Land uses, such as forests, wetlands, croplands, and grasslands can either capture or release greenhouse gas emissions. The net contribution of these land uses has been estimated at 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
Reference: ICF. "Sustainable Halton: Climate Change", May 2007
When sources of greenhouse gases in Canada are looked at in isolation of one another:
- The transportation sector is responsible for about 25% of Canada’s emissions.
- Oil and gas production are responsible for about 18% of emissions.
- Electricity generation (16% of Canada’s emissions; higher in Ontario).
- Mining and manufacturing (17%).
- Buildings (10%).
- Agriculture (10%).
- Landfill gases (4%).
Reference: Government of Canada, "Climate Change Plan for Canada", 2002
top of page
How are air pollution and climate change linked?
- Many of the sectors that are major sources of air pollutants are also major contributors of greenhouse gases including:
- the transportation sector
- electricity Generation
- fuel used for building, industry and agriculture
- Many of the actions needed to reduce air pollution will also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases including:
- encouraging public transit and active modes of transportation
- increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and industrial processes
- increasing the fuel efficiency of on-road and off-road vehicles
- encouraging the use of renewable energies
top of page
What does climate change mean for Halton?
- Average temperatures in Halton Region may increase by as much as 5-6°C by the end of this century.
- This means Halton will experience:
- more heat waves
- more hot days in summer
- more air quality (smog) advisories
- more storms with high winds and heavy rain or snow
- warmer winters
top of page
What health impacts are associated with climate change?
Warmer temperatures are expected to:
- Increase the number of heat-related deaths.
- Increase air pollution health impacts as the number of poor air quality days increase.
- Increase the spread of insect- and tick-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus and Lyme’s disease.
Warmer temperatures may have some health benefits for southern Ontario by reducing the number of cold-related health impacts in winter.
top of page
What can you do?
- Drive less, walk and bike more, and make use of public transit.
- Encourage development of “complete” communities that promote walking, cycling, and public transit use.
- Get involved in tree planting and urban agriculture projects like community gardens.
top of page
8 Actions You Can Take Immediately!
The following is a list of easy-to-do actions you can immediately implement to slow climate change.
- Turn off lights, computers, or televisions when not in use
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Wash clothes in cold water and use a clothesline for drying
- Clean furnace filters and vacuum refrigerators coils regularly
- Set thermostats back 1ºC/2ºF 24 hours a day to save on heating costs, or set thermostats higher 1ºC/2ºF 24 hours a day to save on cooling costs
- Fix leaky taps, and draft proof (weather-strip) doors and windows
- Do not idle your vehicle when parked
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones
For more ideas, please visit our energy reduction pages.
top of page
Resources
top of page
View a listing of Regional initiatives for Improving Air Quality and Reducing Impact on Climate Change .