Huge Energy Appetite

Canadians have a huge appetite for energy. The developing countries that will be most severely affected by climate change produce many times less greenhouse gas emissions per person than Canadians.

• Canadians consume more energy per capita than any other country.



• Canadians use more total energy than the 700 million people of Africa.



• Canadians are the third-largest per capita producers of greenhouse gases in the world.



• Although Canadians make up only one-half a per cent of the world’s population, Canada is the 8th largest producer of carbon dioxide;



• Canadians spend about $75 billion annually - 10 per cent of our GDP on energy to heat homes and offices, and to operate cars, factories and appliances.

Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Energy consumption grew about 13 per cent between 1990 and 1998, while emissions rose at a rate of 1.5 per cent annually, 17 per cent since 1990. Rising emissions trigger more rapid climate change and worsen air pollution - with serious health consequences.

On a sectoral basis, the energy industry and the transportation sector contribute the greatest share of emissions. For individual Canadians, transportation accounts for almost half of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to automobile use. Energy use in the home accounts for the other half of greenhouse gas emissions produced by individual Canadians.

Despite our high consumption, research shows that Canadians are eager to adopt clean, renewable energy technologies. The good news is that these technologies are available now, and are becoming more affordable each year. Many Canadians also realizing that cutting energy use can mean substantial savings.