CLIMATE CHANGE FACTS

Our Climate is changing. As the concentrations of Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) increase in the atmosphere, they are causing average temperatures to rise.

Climate: long term average day-to-day weather, including seasonal extremes and variations, for a specific location or a region.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs): are found in the earth's atmosphere; they trap the sun's heat close to the planet's surface. Without them, this heat would escape into space and the earth would not be habitable. However, changing the concentrations of these GHGs changes our climate. The most common GHG contributed by human activity is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and through deforestation and land degradation.

Climate Change: a long term shift in the climate of a specific location, region or the entire planet, measured by changes in temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation. Scientific research shows that human activities are increasing the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere, resulting in changes in temperature, which in turn cause changes in weather patterns. In Canada, we are already seeing the signs of climate change-melting permafrost in the north, declining water levels in our lakes and rivers; and more extreme weather events, such as droughts, ice storms and floods.

How does our personal energy use contribute to climate change? In many Canadian homes, natural gas or oil is burned for heating and hot water. Electricity is used for heating and, increasingly, cooling. It also runs major appliances and provides lighting. In addition, we consume energy through yard maintenance and the dsiposal of household waste. Electricity is often thought of as "clean energy", but in many parts of Canada, where there are no nuclear generation or suitable hydroelectric resources, electricity is generated by burning coal, natural gas and oil, which produce a large percentage of Canada's total GHG emissions. Even in those places that depend on nuclear stations and hydro dams for power, the nature of the North American electricity grid means it is difficult to know the exact source of electricity from day to day.

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