Saskatchewan Environmental Society — Climate Change

Saskatchewan Environmental Society--Working for a Sustainable Future

Climate Change — Taking Action

The earth is naturally warmed by the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping our atmosphere. Without the greenhouse effect the earth would be too cold to maintain the diversity of life that it does now.

Human activities are releasing more GHG emissions into the atmosphere than ever before, causing a warming in the average temperature of the earth. The eleven hottest years, out of the over 100 years that we have data for, have all occurred in the last 13 years. This unnatural climate change poses a multitude of environmental, health, and economic problems.

The high concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere are a result of the fossil fuels that we use to do things like heat our homes, generate our electricity, run our cars, produce consumer goods and transport food. According to our commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, we in Canada are supposed to reduce our GHG emissions to 6% below the levels in 1990, by 2012. Since the Protocol was signed in 1998 our emissions have increased rather than decreased. The necessary reduction will require a big change in our energy consumption. However, taking the necessary action will bring many benefits, financial and otherwise, for the individual as well as for the global environment.

What can I do?

Despite the many initiatives of governments and large organizations, some of the most important efforts to stop climate change can be undertaken by individual Canadians. From installing a high-efficiency furnace to simply driving your car less, there are a wide variety of things that you can do to improve the state of the environment.

At home

There are many actions that can be taken to improve the energy efficiency of your house. Many of them require an initial monetary investment, but with the savings on energy bills the payback period will be very short.

If you are building a new home, consider building it to R-2000 standards. Homes of any design can be built to meet the standards. Your house will be constructed using more environmentally-friendly materials and it will be highly energy efficient, resulting in lower energy bills. Other benefits of R-2000 include better indoor air quality and more even temperatures. R-2000 homes outperform homes that have been renovated for energy efficiency simply because their efficiency features are integrated so well into the design.
When replacing your furnace, choose a high efficiency model.
Improve the efficiency of your heating system by insulating, caulking, weather-stripping, and installing energy efficient windows. These actions will help keep heat inside in the winter and heat outside in the summer. Consulting the home EnerGuide can be very helpful ( http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/index.cfm). You can have an expert come in and do an assessment of your house’s energy efficiency.
Lower the temperature of your house. You can save 2% of your heating costs for every degree (celsius) that it is lowered. There are additional savings and a further reduction in GHG emissions if you lower your thermostat by 3 degrees at night or when you’re away.
When replacing appliances, choose EnergyStar certified ones which use less power (the Government of Saskatchewan will rebate the sales tax on the purchase of EnergyStar appliances).
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. If you replace only one-quarter of your incandescent bulbs in lights that are on much of the time, the result will be an almost 50% savings on energy for lighting.
If your power supplier gives you the option, purchasing green power (like wind or solar) is a great way to reduce emissions. In many places, alternative energy is still more expensive but the more people buy into it, the lower the price will become.
If you have an EnerGuide evaluation done on your house and you follow up on the recommendations for improving the efficiency of your home, you may be eligible for a grant from the federal government to retrofit your house to achieve even better results (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/home-improvement.cfm?attr=0).
Reduce your household waste by recycling and composting. Landfills produce methane and transporting waste takes energy.
Buy locally grown food (see box).

Food and Climate Change

It is estimated that the ingredients of a typical meal eaten by a North American family have travelled 2,400 km. The transportation of food over long distances contributes to GHG emissions and consequently, climate change. By buying food grown locally, you not only reduce emissions, but are supporting local farmers and the local economy. It is even better for the environment to buy food grown near you with either ecologically sound practices or that is certified organic. Buying local food also gives you the opportunity to ensure that food is pesticide free and that animals have been ethically treated. You may find locally grown food in some stores in your community, or you can check your newspaper and bulletins at health food stores for ads from local farmers, or support your community’s farmer’s market . The Saskatchewan Farmers’ Market Co-op has a website with some details about the markets in particular communities (www.sasktourism.com/saskfarmersmarket/).

Driving

Drive your vehicle less. Carpooling and using public transportation reduce GHG emissions. Even better, walking, rollerblading, and biking all produce no emissions and are a great form of exercise. Using alternative transportation is a great way to save money on gas, reduce your emissions, get/stay in shape and save money on gym memberships, all at the same time!
When purchasing a new car, opt for a fuel efficient vehicle (http://oee.rncan.gc.ca/transportation/personal-vehicles-initiative.cfm?text=N&printview=N). You’ll save money on gas and be doing something great for the environment. Driving a mid-sized sedan instead of a sport utility vehicle will produce about one-third less emissions.
Keeping your tires properly inflated and having regular maintenance checks done on your car will also reduce GHG emissions.
When operating your car: Be Idle Free - Idling is when you have the engine running, but the car is not in motion. A good rule of thumb is, if you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds, when not in traffic, you should turn off your car.
To warm up your car in the winter: use a block heater with a timer for 1-2 hrs. before starting, then run for 30 seconds, or long enough to clear windows of fog or ice. Then drive slowly for the first few kilometers, until your engine starts to warm up.

Idling wastes fuel and money and causes needless emmissions which damage our health and the environment. If every driver of a light duty vehicle avoided idling by five minutes a day, collectively, we would save 1.8 million litres per day of fuel, almost 4500 tonnes of GHG emissions, and $1.7 million in fuel costs everyday (assuming fuel costs are $0.95/L) From:http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/idling.cfm?attr=8

For more on this and other Climate Change issues see: http://www.climatechangesask.ca/html/individuals/on_road/avoid_idling/index.cfm

Saskatoon Home a Model of Energy Efficiency

The best insulated house in the world can be found in Saskatoon! In his own words, Rob Dumont built his house in 1992 to “be a leading example of energy efficiency; use renewable, sustainable energy sources; minimize environmental damage; and contribute to a better world through the use of recycled materials and carbon-based materials.” Exceptional insulation, solar energy features, and efficient appliances and lighting in their home allow the Dumonts to reduce their energy usage to only 16% of the Saskatchewan average.

Other actions

There are many actions you can take that are a part of sustainable, environmentally responsible living. It is important to be conscious of how your actions affect the earth and try to stay informed about the many issues that affect you. It is also important to support and/or encourage positive efforts by others. For example, you can write to your MLA or MP and persuade them to take action or congratulate them if they’re already doing a great job. Finally, get involved with an environmental organization or tell other people about climate change. It’s a global issue that will pose unique challenges for different areas of the world.

Reduction Strategies

Calculate Your Emissions and Reductions

There are many excellent calculators and challenges available online for individuals which make it easy to see how you can have an impact on climate change.

The Pembina Institute’s One Less Tonne:
www.onelesstonne.ca/

allows you to see exactly how much you can reduce your emissions with each step you take
quick and easy to use
does not give you specific, personalized information about your emissions like the other two calculators do
does not take into account as many factors as the other two calculators do

For more information

Climate change

Economics

Kyoto

http://unfccc.int/

Maps and diagrams

Climate change glossary

www.nrtee-trnee.ca/eng/programs/ArchivedPrograms/Climate_change/climatechange_glossary_e.htm