Canada's Pollution Footprint: Global Impact And Responsibility

Canada is one of the world's worst polluters, ranking in the top 10 for total emissions. In 2022, Canada was the 11th biggest CO2 emitter worldwide, producing 1.5% of total global CO2 emissions. However, other sources claim that Canada's share of global emissions is less than 5% or even less than 2%. Canada's high level of oil production and large oil and gas reserves contribute significantly to its environmental impact.

Canada is one of the world's worst carbon emitters

Canada's Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) aims to cut GHG emissions by 40-45% by 2030 from 2005 levels, with a goal of net zero by 2050. However, achieving these targets has proven challenging, with Canada's total GHG emissions estimated to have risen by 2.1% in 2022.

Despite being a relatively small contributor to global emissions compared to countries like the United States, China, and Russia, Canada's climate action is still significant. As one of the world's top polluters, Canada has a responsibility to reduce its emissions and align itself with a climate-safe future.

Canada's pollution of the Great Lakes

Canada is responsible for 2.6% of the world's total carbon emissions, ranking 10th globally. However, it is one of the highest per-capita emitters in the world.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was signed by Canada and the US in 1972, focusing on point source pollution, particularly excess nutrient loading from phosphorus and nitrogen. However, both nations mostly ignored the commission's advice about restricting border pollution. By the early Cold War period, pollution in the Great Lakes basin was even worse, with bacteria levels three to four times higher than in 1912.

Today, toxic pollution in the Great Lakes remains a colossal problem. The environmental impacts of urbanization, trade, industrialization, agriculture, climate change, and toxic contaminants are obvious. Concentrations of historic pollutants are still a concern, with mercury levels in some species of Great Lakes fish increasing. Nearly 40 million people, including 11 million Canadians, depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water, recreation, transportation, power, and economic opportunities.

Canada's per-capita emissions

Canada is responsible for 2.6% of the world's total carbon emissions, ranking 10th in the world. While this is less than two per cent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions, Canada is one of the highest per-capita emitters in the world.

The Canadian government has recognised the need to reduce emissions and has implemented measures to tackle climate change. These measures include cutting pollution from transportation, homes, buildings, and agriculture. However, the country's emissions remain high, and it continues to be ranked as one of the top polluters in the world.

The impact of Canada's emissions is significant, with pollution contributing to thousands of deaths each year. According to the Lancet Commission, 5.3% of Canadian deaths in 2015 were attributable to pollution, with many pollutants not even considered in the Commission's work. The burden of pollution disproportionately affects the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples.

Furthermore, Canada's emissions have a global impact, particularly in the Great Lakes region, which is home to some of the world's biggest bodies of fresh water. High pollution levels in this region have affected the air and water quality of the ecosystem, with the Alberta oil sands' impact reaching as far as the Great Lakes.

Canada's plan to tackle climate change

Canada is one of the world's worst emitters of carbon, responsible for 2.6% of the world's total carbon emissions. However, some sources state that Canada's emissions are less than 2% of global emissions. Canada is also the third-largest producer of oil and gas in the world, with 6% of the world's total production.

• Developing a National Adaptation Strategy by working with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners.
• Reducing emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Creating an estimated 2.68 million clean energy jobs by 2050 in areas like clean transportation, renewable energy, and green building sectors.
• Implementing carbon pricing to encourage businesses to adopt cleaner practices and make sustainable options more accessible.
• Phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
• Reducing methane emissions.
• Limiting emissions produced by the oil and gas industry.
• Helping provinces and territories to keep electricity affordable and reliable as Canada’s electricity needs increase.

Canada's pollution-related deaths

Canada is responsible for 2.6% of the world's total carbon emissions, ranking 10th in the world. However, when it comes to per-capita emissions, Canada is one of the highest emitters in the world.

In 2015, 5.3% of Canadian deaths were attributable to pollution, according to The Lancet Commission. This means that 14,738 deaths out of 277,420 were caused by pollution. The main causes of these deaths were exposure to particulate matter in ambient air and exposure to carcinogens, such as second-hand smoke.

Canada is largely unscathed by the deadly consequences of pollution compared to its global peers. Only six countries have fewer pollution-related deaths than Canada, according to a Lancet study. However, vulnerable populations, including the poor, women, children, and Indigenous peoples, are disproportionately affected by pollution in Canada.

Pollution of the Great Lakes, the world's biggest bodies of fresh water, is a significant problem for both Canada and the United States. High pollution levels in the Great Lakes basin have impacted the air and water quality of the ecosystem.

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