Why is it happening?
We're pumping huge quantities of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. These gases trap the sun's heat and cause the planet to warm too much.
Greenhouse gases come from:
- our cars, vans and trucks;
- the power plants that light, heat and cool our homes; and
- the factories that produce the goods we consume.
Individuals are responsible for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario. The average Ontarian generates about 5 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.
The Earth’s surface temperature is expected to rise anywhere from 1.1° to 6.4°C over the next 100 years. This may not seem significant, but when it comes to worldwide averages, small-digit changes have huge consequences. The world was only 5°C cooler during the last ice age.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations-backed group of some 2,500 top scientists from 192 countries, stated in its fourth report, issued in 2007, that human activities have contributed significantly to recent changes in ecosystems and weather patterns, and to threats to human health across the world.
What's in this Section
What the Ontario Government Is Doing
GHG Reduction Targets
Our Plan: Adding It Up
Cap and Trade
Climate Change Secretariat
Ontario Climate Change Announcements
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Initiatives
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Last modified: June 27 2008.