Personal Letter to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford - Essay Example

Personal Letter to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Personal Letter to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Mr. Mayor I would like to bring into yourattention on the issues of climate change. Climate change debate has been a contentious issue for a very long time; some support its control while others oppose its control. The proponents have a futuristic view and suggest the benefits realized could be much more than the economic costs used while the opponents argue that it is not economically fit to forego economic development at the expense of preventing climate change. The climate debate is nowhere soon to be over. Hence, all concerned parties should acknowledge the importance of controlling the issue so as to develop a habitable environment in the future for the young generation. First we need to understand the meaning of climate change. “Climate change is the warming of the earth’s atmosphere caused by human-generated emissions of greenhouse gases, the largest contributors being carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane” (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives report, 1995; as cited in Berman, 1997). There is a gradual increase in temperatures, patterns of rainfall and snow are shifting, and other severe climatic events are occurring such as increased droughts and storms. These events have negatively affected the ecosystem, weather, snow, oceans, and society. Although, natural events contribute to climate change, they are not the primary cause. Studies conducted by scientists ascertain that these drastic changes in the climate are associated with the rise of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere. These gases in the atmosphere are due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels. The systems human use each day like cooling and heating systems, electricity generators, industrial processes and motor vehicles all contribute significantly to emission of the greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases trap heat, and prevent it from escaping out of the atmosphere thus, raise the global temperatures. Climate change seems to be a continuous process, and will be there in the future. As humans continue emitting more greenhouse gases, the future will certainly experience more climatic changes. Climate change will negatively affect the entire world by negatively changing the economy, the environment and the health of people. The world has an obligation to strategize well, in anticipating some of the climate change impacts. This will benefit the entire human race (EPA, 2014). Solar energy and ocean currents variations affect the climate. Nevertheless, they do not sufficiently explain the rise of global warming taking place since the last century. These changes are best explained through human causes, which produce greenhouse gases. These include activities such as deforestation, livestock rearing, crop fertilization, manufacturing processes, and poor waste disposal mechanisms like dumping wastes in landfills. However, there are other causes of climate change other than greenhouse gases. For instance, constructing roads or agricultural activities may alter the Earth’s surface reflectivity. These will result in a phenomenon known as local cooling or warming. This effect is common in urban centers. They are usually warm as compared to the suburbs or villages. Scientists project a continual rise in the global temperatures now and in the future. Also, changes in the climate are predicted to be worse. These future projections are arrived at through the study of various factors such as ocean acidity, precipitation, ocean levels, ice, temperature and snow. Climate change has negative effects. On humans, it poses a major health risk such as the possibility of heat waves, more flooding due to rise of sea levels will affect communities in coastal regions. The varying rainfall patterns may affect water supply and hydroelectric production. To the ecosystem, it will negatively affect reproduction of plants, and migration of animals. To the economy, instances such as floods, droughts and heat waves, will raise insurance premiums, more property losses, and high expenditures to people to cater for food and medical bills. However, human beings can well adapt to these changes in the climate to secure their future. These methods of adaptation are creating systems that can detect heat events before they happen, setting up solid water conservation mechanisms, having efficient disaster response strategies e.g. in the event a storm occurs, and use of latest storm-water structures. Some examples of extreme weather events as a result of climate change include; USA, Dec. 1987 -Arizona’s first white Christmas; Bangladesh, Sept. 1988 - 3000 die in a storm and tidal surges; 1989 China - worst drought in centuries; 1992 Hurricane Andrew in Florida; USA, 1993 - Great Mississippi Flood causing an estimated US $12 billion in property damage and crop failure; Canada, 1996 – Saguenay flood in Quebec; Canada, July 1996 - Hailstorm in the Prairies costing over $60 million in damages; Canada, 1997 - Red River flood in Manitoba forcing thousands of Winnipeg residents from their homes; and increased forest fires across Canada. (Berman, 1997, p. 12) Climate change will significantly have a negative impact on big cities economic and municipal activities in the future. Toronto is part of these large cities. The amount of snowfall will reduce because of the rise in temperatures. This means that less snow will be allowed to form than previous years. The average amount of precipitation is projected to increase. Rainfall levels will be much higher during winter than before. Future storm events are expected to be more extreme than ever. There will be a significant rise of the annual temperatures. Predominantly, Toronto will be much warm, but this also has negative effects. In general, Toronto’s future will be different. The effects of local warming are that the cold and warm arctic air masses will shift towards the north, this will produce less intense weather; however, can cause extreme weather conditions during summer. Recently, the times storms occur has reduced significantly, but they have risen in intensity. In the future, this trend is predicted to go on, and increased in magnitude. Thus, it will result in harsh weather conditions like excessive rain, and destructive winds. The reduction of the arctic ice will cause warm conditions in the arctic thus rapidly increasing Toronto’s temperature levels. Also, concentration amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere are predicted to increase hence, affects moisture and heat distribution which are the factors that influence weather conditions (SENES Consultants Ltd.). The city could implement policies which will see better use of energy resources and reduction of greenhouse gases. The energy consumption of the city is in two forms. The first, raw fuel is used is burned to produce heat and run equipments or machinery. The other energy source is “electricity which is acquired from the grid and steam received from a district energy system” (Energy Waste Management Office., 2011). The city energy consumption uses more electricity than natural gas. However, natural gas contributes to the majority of the greenhouse gases emitted (Energy Waste Management Office., 2011). The ChemTRAC program is the best way to see a reduction of toxic elements released to the environment. This program monitors all toxic substances released by institutions, commercial and industrial facilities and avails the reports to the general public. It also, “supports facilities to adopt environmental best practices” (Toronto Public Health, 2012). This will require facilities to lower their toxic wastes which in turn promote a clean, healthy environment. The program provides grants to businesses and other organizations to fund toxic reduction strategies. There is a technical assistance service which is free. These involves visits to industries that analyzes chemicals used, those released, and recommends best strategies to prevent pollution. “The Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw: The bylaw mandates businesses and facilities in Toronto to give a comprehensive report on the use, manufacture and release of the 25 chemicals listed in the bylaw.” (Toronto Public Health, 2012) However, such legislation of policies that aim at creating a better environment will never go unimpeded. Critics will tend to shut down such initiatives. Businesses and industries are the major opposers. They argue that the costs of implementing these pollution reduction methods are high. They will have to reduce expansion plans to cater for the new pollution prevention technologies. Their annual profits might decrease. The economy might grow at a lower rate due to implementation of this policy. However, Mr. Mayor these are short term effects. The initial costs are higher but, when these measures are set up the future running costs are relatively lower. The economies we are protecting now may even suffer much more in future than now if we do not address the issue of climate change. The storms may cause destruction of infrastructure and businesses may incur so many losses due to the damages. Also, the cost of business would be high due to the high insurance premiums that could be offered by insurers due to the highly vulnerable environment. We all could like to create a sustainable future for the young generation; thus change begins now, and not in the future. The benefits that would be realized in the future are so much as compared to the economic costs. Toronto has a large population and is endowed with numerous industries, which mean the majority of people is exposed to a pollutant source. The high number of facilities present across the city poses a major health risk concern to the future generation. This means there will be a high industrial pollution in the future. Hence, by making it a must for businesses and other facilities to be accountable for their wastes will help create a healthy environment. The public reports will increase community participation in helping businesses achieve the greener city initiative. Thus, Mr. Mayor and your team should be in the forefront of formulating these laws that will protect the future generations and the environment; should also enforce these laws. Public participation and environmental protection organizations should be incorporated in the formulation of these laws. Handling climate change will create a conducive environment for us to adapt well. Global warming would be considerable reduced hence flourishing of agriculture produce and reduction of floods and various storms. In the chance that we completely stop the release of greenhouse gases, it would be inevitable to experience some effects of climate change because of the amount of greenhouse gases previously existent in the atmosphere. “By improving our prediction, prevention, design and operational capacities, we can be able to build more resilient communities that are better able to adapt to a changing climate” (A Scan of Climate Change Impacts on Toronto, 2006, p. 39). References Anderson, C. A. (2000). Temperature and Aggression. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 32, 63-133. Berman, S., & Lindala, E.M. (1997). Our Changing Climate. Toronto: Toronto Environmental Alliance. Climate Change. (2014). Retrieved 2014, from Toronto Environmental Alliance: http://www.torontoenvironment.org/campaigns/climate/climatechange Climate Change and Health. (2014). Retrieved February 27, 2014, from http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=d0685ce6dfb31410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=d06e23bf6d481410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD Energy Waste Management Office, Enviroment & Energy Division. (2011). Annual Energy Consumption & Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. Retrieved from http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly? EPA. (2014, March 5). Climate Change Science Overview. Retrieved from Enviromental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/overview.html Energy & Waste Management Office. (2011). Annual Energy Consumption & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report. Toronto: Environment & Energy Division. Evans, R.L., & Bryant, T. (2013). Trottier Energy Futures: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Canadian Oil and gas Sector. Trottier Energy Futures Project. Ligeti, E. (2006). A Scan of Climate Change Impacts on Toronto. Toronto: The Clean Air Partnership. Ligeti, E. (2007). Climate Change Adaptation Options for Torontos Urban Forest. Toronto: Clean Air Partnership. SENES Consultants Ltd. Study. (2011, December). Torontos Future Weather and Climate Driver Study. Retrieved from http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly? Timilsina, G. N. (2006). GHG Emissions and Mitigation Measures for the Oil & gas Industry in Alberta. Institute for Sustainanble energy, Environment and Economy. Toronto Public Health, N. (2012, May). Creating Healthy Built Environments: Highlights of Best Practices in Toronto. Retrieved from http://www.toronto.ca/health Torrie, R. B. (2013). Low-Carbon Energy Futures: A Review of national Scenarios. Trottier energy Futures Project. Read More