Canadians have a huge appetite for energy. Ironically, citizens of developing countries - where climate change will take its greatest toll - produce only a fraction of the greenhouse gas of Canadians.

By the numbers:

• Canada is one of the greatest consumers of energy per capita, burning the equivalent of roughly 7,700 litres of oil per person each year. This is roughly 50 times the consumption rate of Bangladesh, a country that stands to be largely eliminated by climate change-induced sea level rise.
• Canadians use more energy than all of the 760 million inhabitants of Africa.
• Canada makes up less than one half of one percent of the world's population, but is the world's eighth largest producer of carbon dioxide.
• Canadians spend about $75 billion annually - 10 percent of our GDP - on energy to heat homes and offices, and to operate cars, factories and appliances. This is equivalent to $2,500 per person.

Canada Country Analysis  

Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Energy consumption grew about 18 per cent between 1992 and 2002, while emissions rose at a rate of 1.9 per cent annually, 27 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.