What are the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada?

Highlights

• In comparison to other industrialized countries, Canada uses high energy for heating and cooling of buildings.
• In 2019, almost 26 per cent of total GHG emissions were produced from oil and gas industries in Canada.
• Dehydration and heat stroke caused by extreme weather events can increase death rates among humans.

The various greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, cause damage to the environment and human health. Wildfires, warming climate, oceans, rising sea levels, and glaciers melting are the result of greenhouse gases and are disturbing coastal areas, agriculture, and water resources.

Human activities, including transportation, manufacturing, energy supply, heating and cooling of buildings, electricity production, and burning fossil fuels are primarily responsible for increasing emissions into the atmosphere. In this article, we will learn about the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.

Both human activities and natural processes cause greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that human activities interrupt natural processes in the atmosphere by emitting GHG. Nearly 80 per cent of GHG emissions are from industrial processes and the burning of fossil fuels worldwide.

In 2019, almost 26 per cent of total GHG emissions were produced from the oil and gas industries in Canada. The transportation sector contributed 25 per cent, the heavy industry sector contributed 11 per cent and buildings contributed 12 per cent of GHG emissions. The Government of Canada is focusing on reducing its GHG emissions to 30 per cent by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Also read: Canada Sets-Up C$100M Fund For Cutting-Edge Energy GHG Emissions

Key drivers of GHG emission

In comparison to other industrialized countries, Canada uses high energy for heating and cooling of buildings.

It is a less populated country that has a high demand for transportation compared to other smaller and densely populated countries. The transportation sector, including light-duty trucks, and light-duty vehicles are causing GHG emission in Canada.

According to the Environment and Climate Change Canada report of 2018, the following industries contributed to GHG emissions in Canada, including:

• Transportation – 186 MtCO2e
• Heavy industry – 78 MtCO2e
• Buildings – 92 MtCO2e
• Electricity – 64 MtCO2e
• Natural gas and oil – 193 MtCO2e
• Agriculture – 73 MtCO2e

Also read: 2 Green Stocks To Buy As Canada Increases 2030 Emissions Target

GHG impact on the environment

It is anticipated that average annual temperatures will increase with the increasing GHG emissions.  Due to the high temperature, the snow, sea ice, and glaciers will melt.

This melting would result in rising sea levels that would put coastal areas at risk of flooding. The increasing temperature would also affect the permafrost in the Arctic.

Climate change will likely increase future coastal erosion rates and precipitation levels in most of the areas. The heatwaves caused by climate change would result in forest fires risks. The rising temperature would be difficult to adapt for many wildlife species.

GHG impact on human health

The rising temperature and extreme heat can increase illness and death among human beings. Dehydration and heat strokes caused by extreme weather events can increase death rates among humans. Injury risk due to local weather changes can also increase.

Exposure to extreme heat and increasing air pollution can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems and some cancer types. Temperature rise caused by GHG emissions can also increase water-, food-, vector- and rodent-borne diseases. It is anticipated that the northern communities of Canada, primarily children, and elders would be most impacted by climate change.

Also read: What are the key climate change issues in Canada?

GHG impact on the economy

Climate change would likely affect agriculture, forestry, tourism, and recreation sectors. The impacts on human health may put economic stress on health and social support systems.

The rising temperature, warming climate, thawing permafrost, and sea level can damage infrastructure, including bridges and roads, and would likely affect local populations and resource development.

Image credit: © 2022 Kalkine Media®

Bottom line

The increasing GHG emissions in the atmosphere will increase sea levels and will melt Arctic ice which would likely affect the environment, the economy, and human health. So, it is the duty of all to protect wildlife, the oceans, and human life by reducing emissions, using renewable resources, sustainable transportation, and new and cleaner technologies.