|
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
effective as of March 1994, marked the beginning of international
cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation
of GHGs). 186 governments had signed by 2004.
The Convention's ultimate objective is to stabilize atmospheric
levels of greenhouse gases to prevent dangerous human-made interference
with the climate. See 6.2.2.1 for global perspective and principles.
Ontario hosted one of the earliest scientific world conferences
on climate change!
Historically Ontario was part of the Canadian scientific community
in developing the Montreal Protocol in 1987- an agreement to
ban ozone-depleting substances. Not only was this a precedent-setting
international effort in itself, but it led to the conference
hosted in Toronto in 1988.
Here, several leading scientific experts presented preliminary
results of the current understanding of climate change to a world
gathering of scientists, politicians, policy advisors, engineers
and others, held in Toronto. This meeting was the first of its
kind.
The Prime Ministers of Canada and Norway, environment and energy
Ministers and other policy makers from many other governments
attended.
The conference participants, in the opening sentences of their
formal statement, issued this clear warning to the international
community:
1988 Toronto World Conference Participants Statement:
"Humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled,
globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate consequences could
be second only to a global nuclear war."
Source: Proceedings of the World Conference on the Changing
Atmosphere: Implications for Global Security, WMO report # 710,
P292 (1988).
Some at the time regarded this statement as alarmist. They cautioned
for the need to undertake better assessments of the science to
better identify the risks - given the complexity and uncertainty
related to climate change science. However, the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, or the IPCC was established and the
first global assessment efforts began.
Canadian scientists played a significant role in the IPCC assessment
process. Many are from the Government of Ontario and the Ontario
Region of Environment Canada. Canadians represented more than
4% of the scientists involved in the 2001 Third Assessment and
Review (TAR) process. Of these, about two-thirds are with government
research agencies and the remainder from academia - the universities.
Source : H. Hengeveld et al., (2002) Science and Impacts
of Climate Change CD Presentation Graphics MSC Environment Canada/
ESS Natural Resources Canada,
ACTIVITY 1
- What does TAR stand for? WG
1?
- What percentage of the total world's
contributing scientists were Canadian?
Research
- How well does #2 represent Canada by % of the total global
population?
- Is the % Canadian contribution representation by population
for this global project?
Since 1988 other international science conferences on climate
change have been held in Toronto include one on the Urban Heat
Island Effect and the most recent State of the Lakes Ecological
Conference - SOLEC - The International Joint Commission biennial
meeting in 2004.
Present Ontario Government Policy includes emission reduction
plans or mitigation of the effects of climate change with respect
to international commitments with the United States e.g. water
quality and air quality along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
River. See Areas of Concern (AOC) map.
The government of Ontario is committed to a Conservation Culture.
Adaptations that reduce the risk to damage from climate change
are a great part of this approach.
Conservation of energy by of all sectors reduces the required
generation and transmission of electrical energy. Smart meters
measuring electricity use are being installed to encourage use
with lower rates during off-peak hours.
Mitigation strategies to reduce emissions included closing of
some nuclear power stations, coal-fired electrical generating
stations, conversion to gas-powered stations and encouraging
alternative sources of energy production.
Projections for the future are based on what we know now. Not
taking action because of uncertainties increases the risk and
costs of damage due to the effects of climate change.
The connection and the urgency to do both adaptation and mitigation
for climate change is shown in the figure below for strategy
in Great Lakes and St. Lawrence.
Source: International Joint Commission (IJC) Climate Change
and Water Quality in the Great Lakes Region. May2003 www.ijc.org
ACTIVITY 2
- Choose one of these sectors: Government, Buildings, Transportation,
Industry, Agriculture, Forestry, Energy Supply, Waste Management.
- Research and report the status and plans with respect to
mitigation or reduction of emissions addressing future
needs and effects of climate change.
- for Ontario
- for your municipality
- for you and your family.
Scientific research today must include practitioner/stakeholder
and researcher views of what is needed to understand climate
change, the impacts, and adaptive responses.
Since mitigation is based on reducing emissions, emphasis has
been placed on understanding bio-physical systems.
More attention must also be placed on understanding human and
institutional behaviour in the face of a changing climate. Methods
must be agreed upon to ensure data are preserved for future reference
and use. Sensitivity of the Great Lakes beneficial uses to climate
change must be included.
The sooner mitigation or emission reduction policies are developed
and put into action the more the cost of make the effort can
be reduced.
The Government of Ontario has undertaken a review of plans for
growth and development while at the same time encouraging a conservation
culture. This acknowledges the issues of sustainable growth and
communities facing climate change projections. Reducing the need
for generating electricity and burning fossil fuels, providing
public transportation initiatives support this policy review.
ACTIVITY 3
Check the Government of Ontario website. www.gov.on.ca for
further information. Browse each ministry to check its mandate
with respect to environmental and climate change issues.
- Choose one policy or one ministry and report your findings.
The general public needs to become informed and help the government
and agencies set policies and priorities in actions to limit
the effects of climate change.
Mitigation strategies to reduce emissions include reviewing
coal-fired electrical generating stations status with reference
to gas-powered stations, nuclear power stations and encouraging
alternative sources of energy production.
The sooner mitigation or emission reduction policies are developed
and put into action the more the cost of make the effort can
be reduced.
Recommendations from the IJC report in 2004 which need to be
supported by government policy for managing the future with respect
to climate change are listed below.
ACTIVITY 4
- Choose a bulleted point. Check out
your local community's
level of preparedness.
Content Updated Sept 2005
See Activities in 7.2.2.1 – Check
Ontario websites, newspapers and magazines for updated information
on new initiatives or reports which show awareness and response
to these international recommendations. Research to discover other
present and proposed changes
Eg. Montreal Protocol –
Track Ontario’s history of making changes to meet this agreement - eg
freon in air conditioners both in vehicles and buildings and refrigerators.
|
