Ways to Protect our Environment

We are running out of time, act now before it's too late

[environmental-issues-101-blog]

Air Pollution

               People aren't aware about the fact that air pollution is something we should be cautious about. We must be more careful in order to prevent certain pollutants from damaging the ozone layer. Air pollution in Canada has caused smog, acid rain, and trans-boundary air.

The smog compromises the quality of our air. Smog is a thick pollutant-rich fog along a city skyline. The result of smog can be severe, leading to many human health and environmental issues. Smog is mostly caused by cars. To prevent smog, people can use their cars less, use electrical equipment instead of gas-powered, use an electric starter or propane grill, keeping up with regular car maintenance, etc. These are just a few ways to prevent smog.

Acid rain is a major concern for our natural and built environments, especially in the eastern regions of Canada. Its impacts can be as small as lowered vegetation growth and productivity, to as drastic as significant losses in forest cover and aquatic life. Many buildings and statues are particularly vulnerable to the effects of acid rain. Energy production creates large amounts of the pollutants that cause acid rain. In order to prevent acid rain, we could turn off electrical equipment when we aren't using it, limit the use of air conditioning, encourage people to buy equipment that may have the Energy Star label on it.

Transboundary air is when wind transports pollutants long distances away from their source. This increases the levels of air pollution that are generated locally, and quickly increasing the intensity of our air quality concerns. There isn’t any prevention we can do. Canada and the United States have entered into an agreement to monitor and mediate sources of transboundary air pollutants.

In conclusion, Canadians should be more cautious and choose to be eco friendly. Air pollution is more of a concern nowadays. We should all do as much as possible to prevent it.

[environmental-issues-101-blog]

Solutions to Global Warming

Global warming is affecting many parts of the world, excessively. It is a huge threat on on our environment. What causes global warming? Greenhouse gas emissions have impacted the earth thoroughly and they are the cause of the temperature of the earth which is increasing. The more greenhouse emissions we have, the warmer the earth. If we don't do anything about that, we may have to face severe situations like rising sea levels. The number of polar bears are diminishing due to global warming and within a century, it is possible for them to disappear entirely. Hurricanes can also increase and become more intense in the years to come.

There are ways that you can do to reduce and fight against global warming. Such as, planting a tree in your backyard, recycling, using gas reasonably, reducing coal, oil and natural gas burning, reusing your shopping bags, buying organic, using less hot water. If we can attain to do all of these, it can make a huge difference in our world and we can finally eliminate global warming.

Everything we do makes a difference. 

[environmental-issues-101-blog]

Car emissions and the environment

   We are very aware that oil consumption is a major environmental issue that we must be conscious about before it's too late. Two century's ago, oil began to form and there was a considerable amount. Today, we have used up half of that supply and in a couple years we will run out. We must be alert of these issues and face them. Oil is mainly used for transportation vehicles and they are a dominant concern for oil's future generations.

    To reduce the oil consumption on this earth, we encourage people to adapt some new ways of transport other than vehicles. Such as, biking and walking. People have a habit of using their cars excessively, using up a lot of gas. Carpooling is a major issue as well, because they are always active for people who need a ride somewhere. Wouldn't it be more beneficial for you economically and physically for you to walk or take your bicycle to get to your destination? Staying fit despite a busy schedule is something a bicycle or walking can provide, not a powered vehicle.

   If you are to have or use a car, at least maintain it properly and use it wisely. Abstain from the air conditioner in the car, the overfilling engines, and on going driving.

[environmental-issues-101-blog]

Sign or Resign

World leaders including Stephen Harper will be gathered together at the Doha Conference to brainstorm a new plan to tackle climate change and come to an agreement. If they come to an understanding, the representatives must sign a treaty that states their acceptance of the method chosen to stabilize greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

  Environmental issues should be taken up as a matter of priority. Climate change has been put aside for many years and Stephen Harper is one of the main reasons nothing has been changed. He has cancelled many meeting concerning the environment. He concerns mostly about the economy, rather the environment.

  Stephen Harper took position on the Kyoto Accord which had negative impacts on the environment while not providing accurate results as far as greenhouse gas emission reductions. A lot of the environmental organizations criticized Stephen Harpers new policy.

  Harper should resign from his position because he doesn’t take the citizens and the environment into account. He only seems to care about money, power and the economy. We need somebody who cares about our environment, and the inhabitants of Canada. He didn’t make a good decision by not signing the treaty. He didn’t think about the population and now he may ruin our chance of doing something about climate change.

  In conclusion, we believe that Stephen Harper should sign the treaty this year. People would have more respect for him and would appreciate him more if he showed that he cared about the environment. Stephen Harper, as a citizen and a world leader, should encourage climate change.