Our changing climate

Canada will be among the countries most affected by climate change. The Great Lakes region is expected to experience more floods and droughts, lower lake levels, less lake ice cover and more extreme weather events. Already, the glaciers on our snow-capped mountains are shrinking at an unprecedented rate, threatening wildlife and freshwater supplies.

Melting glaciers, sea ice and permafrost will have devastating consequences in the Arctic, including the potential extinction of important species such as the polar bear and ringed seal. Inuit hunting culture is also at risk.

Our climate is already beginning to change, giving us a glimpse of the future we can expect. In the summer of 2003, record heat waves in Europe claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people. And scientists say the increasing intensity of severe storms, like this year’s devastating hurricanes, is linked to human-caused climate change.
 
Solutions
There are many things Canada can do to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.

Addressing climate change will open the door to what some political leaders like to call the “21st century economy.” Deep emission reductions will stimulate clean economic growth. Shifting the way we use energy means developing cleaner, more efficient technologies. Cars that pollute less. Buildings that use less energy. New jobs. Not only is this good for the environment, it’s good for the economy.

Send a free fax to the Prime Minister and tell him to start putting Canada’s Kyoto plan to work!

The Canadian government can:

• Promote and encourage renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and run-of-river hydro.
  
  
• Improve the energy efficiency of commercial and residential buildings.
  
  
• Legislate mandatory fuel-efficiency standards for cars and SUVs.
  
  
• Regulate reductions from key sectors (including transportation).
  
  
• Invest in public transit.
  

See the Montreal conference media page for contact information and climate facts.

Links:
Take action
French
Too Hot to Handle concert
Climate change impacts
Climate change solutions
Official Montreal conference website