Printer-FriendlySustainability Highlights
Climate change is one of the world's leading sustainability challenges, and the energy sources we rely on play a determining role. Most scientists agree that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities are adversely changing the earth's climate. The main sources of these GHGs include the burning of fossil fuels, as well as additional contributions from land use practices, including agriculture, landfills and forestry. This buildup of GHGs is contributing to rising average temperatures, changes in wind and precipitation patterns and increases in the frequency of severe weather events. In addition to lowering our output of GHG emissions, it is imperative that we prepare our communities to be more resilient to face impending climate variation and its impacts-both negative and positive.
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Per capita GHG emissions in BC were 15.9 tonnes in 2004 (2% increase since 1990), compared with the Canadian average of 23.7 tonnes. Levels below the national average are largely due to BC's clean hydroelectric resources and the fact that the majority of the BC population lives in a relatively mild climate.
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Total emissions in BC increased by 30%, due mainly to changing energy consumption patterns and increases in natural gas production.
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | GETTING WORSE - In 2004 both total and per capita GHG emissions were at their highest levels reported since 1990. | |
| Climate Change Impacts | GETTING WORSE -Average freshwater and air temperatures have already warmed over the past 50-100 years, and Fraser River peak flows are occurring earlier than in the past 85 years. | |
| Climate Change Adaptations | GETTING BETTER - Communities are assessing climate risks, initiating plans to adapt, and preparing for climate-related vulnerabilities such as flooding, drought and interface fires. |
Issues and Trends
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in BC (1990-2004) 1,
2
GHGs originating from human activity include carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases-emitted
by a wide range of human activities-enhance the warming capability of the
natural greenhouse effect to such a degree that scientists from around the
world agree that GHG-emitting human activities are a contributing factor
to the climate changes occurring around the globe.
Despite increases in total (30%) and per capita (2%) GHG emissions between
1990 and 2004, the BC economy has become more carbon-efficient, producing
11% fewer emissions per dollar of GDP. Although the economy is becoming
more efficient, population growth, rates of economic production, consumer
choices (e.g., larger homes and vehicles), and increased use and production
of fossil fuels continue to drive GHG emissions upward. (See
Energy)
| BC’s GHG emissions in 2004 and change since 1990. 1,2 | ||
| %
Change (1990-2004) |
Total
emissions (2004) |
|
| Total BC GHG emissions | + 30% | 16.8 megatonnes |
| Per capita BC emissions | + 2% | 15.9 tonnes |
| Per $GDP BC emissions | - 11% | na |
| SECTOR | %
Change (1990-2004) |
%
of total BC emissions (2004) |
| Transportation | + 42% | 40% |
| Industry (excluding fossil fuel production) | + 22% | 27% |
| Production/mining of oil, gas & coal | + 83% | 9% |
Climate Change and Its Impacts1,
3
In the Fraser Basin, some observed climatic changes in the past 50-100 years
include:
Average temperatures
in the Basin rose by approximately one degree Celsius in the past century,
and average precipitation rose as well.
Summer water temperatures
of the Fraser River have warmed over the past 50 years at a rate equivalent
to 2.2ºC per century, and are increasingly in the upper threshold of
what sockeye salmon can tolerate.
Peak flows on the Fraser
River and its tributaries are now occurring earlier in the year than 85
years ago. The Fraser is reaching half of its annual cumulative flow nine
days earlier on average compared with a century ago.
The following are some of the predicted impacts in the Fraser Basin that
may result from climate change:
Many of the extreme
events to which communities are already vulnerable are predicted to increase
in frequency, magnitude and intensity, such as floods, drought, interface
fires, pest outbreaks and invasive plants (See
Natural Hazards).
An increased amount
of precipitation will be received in the form of rain, rather than snow,
which may result in low flows and droughts during the summer in some watersheds.
Increased distribution
of grasslands and transition areas are expected, compared with forests.
Not all predictions
are bad news. There will likely be an enhanced potential for growing agricultural
products such as apples, tomatoes, corn, grapes, plums and peaches in the
Cariboo-Chilcotin and Upper Fraser regions of the Basin.
Inspired Action
What is being done?
28 local governments
in the Basin belong to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Partners
in Climate Protection Program, and the number of communities that have developed
corporate or community emissions reduction plans has increased from five
to nine since 2004. 4
Biodiesel use in BC
is estimated to have grown from near zero to approximately 4 million litres
in 2005, reducing emissions by the equivalent of taking 2,500 light-duty
cars off the road.
The number of LEED®
certified green buildings in the Fraser Basin has grown from five in 2004
to 17 in 2006, with 63 buildings in the registration process. 5,
i
Adaptation
planning-Several communities, including Vanderhoof and Delta, have developed
initiatives to better understand their climate risks and begin to plan for
changes in sea level rise, precipitation, forest species, forest pests and
other factors.
Communities
are better preparing for current climate-related vulnerabilities-like floods,
drought, and fires-and these efforts will strengthen resilience to future
impacts related to climate change. See Natural
Hazards
What else can be done?
Walk, bicycle, carpool,
telecommute and take transit where available.
Reduce energy use through
more efficient fleet management. Participate in the E3 Fleet Rating System
and be recognized and supported in efforts to green your fleet: www.e3fleet.com.
Consider alternative
fuels, such as biodiesel, that reduce GHG emissions and other air pollutants:
www.bcbiofleet.ca.
Join
Idle Free BC and reduce unnecessary idling in your community or vehicle
fleet. You could save up to 10% of fuel costs: www.idlefreebc.ca.
Visit
www.bcclimateexchange.ca
for other ideas on energy efficiency and GHG emission reductions.
Communities
can undertake vulnerability assessments and develop adaptation strategies.
Reduce
transportation emissions by buying locally grown or manufactured products,
as well as products that use less packaging.
|
E3 Fleet Rating
System sets the bar for green fleets |
|
|
|
PHOTO: John McQueen
is fleet manager for Langley Township, one of the municipalities coming
on board the E3 program. |
REFERENCES
1. BC Ministry of Environment. Indicators of Climate Change
(2002): www.env.gov.bc.ca/air/climate/index.html.
2. Environment Canada. National Inventory Report 1990-2004
Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada (2006).
3. Royal BC Museum. 2005. Maps prepared for Living Land,
Living Sea Gallery: www.pacificclimate.org.
4. Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Partners for Climate
Protection Program (updated July 6, 2006): www.sustainablecommunities.ca.
5. Canadian Green Building Council 2006. LEED Certified
Projects in Canada (updated Sept 20, 2006): www.cagbc.ca.
FOOTNOTE
i. LEED®, stands for "Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design." It is a green building rating system that recognizes
leading-edge buildings that incorporate design, construction and operational
practices that combine healthy, high-quality and high-performance advantages
with reduced environmental impacts