Canada's Pollution Problem: A Comprehensive Overview

Canada is responsible for less than two per cent of global greenhouse emissions, but pollution is still a pressing issue for the country. Air, water and soil pollution pose health risks to the Canadian population and are areas of concern for lawmakers. In 2002, it was reported that the Great Lakes basin was home to 45% of all toxic air pollution in Canada, and the acidity of the lakes is harmful to aquatic life. Canada is taking steps to reduce its emissions, with plans to set national emission caps for four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain.

Canada's air quality is 'good' but there are still health risks associated with air pollution

Canada's air quality is good, but there are still health risks associated with air pollution. At the beginning of 2021, Canada was experiencing "Good" quality air with a US AQI figure of 32, which is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, pollution is still an environmental issue in Canada and has posed health risks to the population. Air pollution in Canada is contributed to by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production.

In 2002, it was reported that the Great Lakes basin was home to 45% of all toxic air pollution in Canada, affecting the water quality of the Great Lakes. Sulphur dioxide emissions have also contributed to the acidity in Canada's lakes, with thousands of lakes, including the Great Lakes, having an average pH of 5, which is harmfully acidic for aquatic life.

While Canada emits less than two per cent of global greenhouse emissions, this does not mean that the country should not implement robust climate policies to reduce its emissions. Canada's climate action matters on a global scale, and the country has committed to meeting or exceeding its emission reduction goals.

Canada's lakes are harmfully acidic due to sulphur dioxide emissions

In western Canada, sulphur dioxide emissions from large point sources are the primary concern for acidic deposition, particularly in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR). Prevailing winds may carry SO2 over acid-sensitive lakes in northern Saskatchewan. A study predicted that 12% of the lakes in the Athabasca Basin, within 100km of the AOSR, have received acidic deposition in excess of their critical loads. Many of them may be at risk of ecosystem damage due to their sensitivity.

In southeastern Canada, reductions in North American sulfur dioxide emissions have promoted expectations that aquatic ecosystems would soon recover from acidification. However, only lakes located near smelters that have dramatically reduced emissions approach this expectation. Several factors may contribute to the constrained or delayed acidity response, including declining base cation concentrations, drought-induced mobilisation of SO4(2), and damaged internal alkalinity generation mechanisms.

Canada's air, water and soil pollution pose health risks to the population and are an area of concern for lawmakers. Air pollution in Canada is contributed by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production. In 2019, data showed that Canada was expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol. In addition, Canada's emissions of sulphur dioxide decreased by 69% between 1990 and 2017.

Canada's climate action matters on a global scale despite contributing less than 2% of global emissions

Although Canada emits less than 2% of global greenhouse emissions, its climate action is still important on a global scale. Canada's emissions are higher than all but five other countries: China, the United States, India, Russia and Japan. Collectively, these six countries' emissions account for 36% of the world total.

Canada's pollution is an environmental issue, posing health risks to the population and causing concern for lawmakers. Air pollution in Canada is caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning and energy production. In 2002, it was reported that the Great Lakes basin was home to 45% of all toxic air pollution in Canada, which affected the water quality of the lakes. Sulphur dioxide emissions have also contributed to the acidity of Canada's lakes, which is harmful to aquatic life.

However, Canada is taking steps to reduce its emissions. In 2019, data showed that Canada was expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol. Canada has also set national emission caps for four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain: nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Limits have also been set for other air pollutants, such as mercury from fuel-based electricity generation and benzene from the natural gas and steel industries.

Canada's Great Lakes are affected by toxic air pollution

Canada emits less than two per cent of global greenhouse emissions. However, pollution is still an environmental issue in the country, with air, water and soil pollution posing health risks to the population. In 2002, it was reported that the Great Lakes basin was home to 45% of all toxic air pollution in Canada, which in turn affected the Great Lakes' water. Sulphur dioxide emissions have also contributed to the acidity of Canada's lakes, including the Great Lakes, which have an average pH of 5, harmfully acidic for aquatic life.

In 2012, the United States and Canada signed an amended version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. In 2019, data showed that Canada was expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol. Canada's plan hopes to encourage businesses to invest in green technologies, which will produce benefits for the environment, by setting national emission caps for four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain, namely nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter.

Canada's Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory shows that 14 out of 17 air pollutants are decreasing

Canada emits less than two per cent of global greenhouse emissions, but pollution is still an environmental issue in the country. It poses health risks to the Canadian population and is an area of concern for lawmakers. Canada's Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory shows that 14 out of 17 air pollutants are decreasing compared to historical levels. The country is expected to meet or exceed its emission reduction commitments for 2020, as per the amended Gothenburg Protocol.

Canada's pollution is largely caused by industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture, construction, wood burning, and energy production. The Great Lakes basin, for example, was home to 45% of all toxic air pollution in Canada in 2002, which affected the water quality of the Great Lakes. Sulphur dioxide emissions have also contributed to the acidity in Canada's lakes, which has harmed aquatic life.

To combat this, Canada has set national emission caps for four air pollutants commonly associated with smog and acid rain: nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. Limits have also been set for other air pollutants, such as mercury from fuel-based electricity generation and benzene from the natural gas and steel industries.

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