Energy Facts

Action: Reduce home heating and electricity use by 10 per cent.

We Canadians are energy gluttons. In a 1999 study comparing the eco-performance of 29 countries, Canada placed 28th overall - but ahead of the US (hurray for us? hardly…) Our greenhouse gas emissions have actually increased by 18 per cent since 1990 (by contrast, Germany’s emissions have decreased by 18 per cent).

Here's some scary news: Canada's air quality is regulated by voluntary guidelines. This is embarrassing. Australia, the United States and most European countries all have legally binding national laws governing air quality that cover and limit the acceptable levels of six air pollutants: ozone, particulates, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead.

Your home is plugged into nature. Nearly 60 per cent of the energy used by Canadian homes is directly related to heating.  Even though we think we’re becoming more energy conscious, this figure is actually rising because the size of the homes we build has been steadily increasing since the 1950s.

Want to know how your province feeds its energy appetite? Check out this map. Depending on which province you live in, electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, hydro-electric dams or nuclear power plants. Each of these has environmental consequences – from air pollution and global warming to habitat loss and nuclear waste.

Come on Canada, it’s time to kick our bad habits and get into shape! Here’s how.



Download the Green Guide (PDF)
Download the Science of the Challenge (PDF)

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