Personal Letter to the Prime Minister - Essay Example

Personal letter to the prime minister Prof. Myles Wieselman ENVS 2400 Foundations of Environmental Management 11, March, Your Name, Your Address, 11-03-2014 The Hon Stephen Harper, Prime Minister, Parliament House, RE: Action Needed By Federal Government to End Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Dear Prime Minister: I am deeply troubled by the risk of greenhouse gas emissions to climate change. Over the last few years, scientists have predicted an increase in the warming trend of the earth’s surface. Elevated greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere is a direct contributor to climatic change that has tremendous impacts on flora and fauna. Impacts of climatic change include the rise of sea levels, global warming, amplification of extreme weather conditions and altered patterns in rainfall. As a result, governments are adopting actions to reduce the rates of greenhouse gases through the formation of international commitments. Canada is listed as one of the largest GHG emitters in the world and has devised numerous methods of stabilizing its GHG emissions (Conference Board of Canada, 2011). However, the country has not improved on its GHG emissions. One of the chief reasons is the increase in the growth, in exports of forest products, petroleum, and natural gas. Even though these commodities are all exported to other countries, GHG emissions that result from their production remain in the Canadian ozone layer. Nevertheless, it is vital to note that Canada has significant opportunity to reduce GHG emissions through the use of lower gas emitting technologies and increasing efficiency of energy. Canada must also seek to honor international commitments by reducing its GHG emission levels, instead of pointing fingers to other nations. Why the government should reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research indicates that Canada is among other developing nations that produce high greenhouse gas emissions to the air, hence bringing about climatic changes (Darragh, 1998). Therefore, this calls for reduction of greenhouse gas to combat problems related to climatic changes that have economic, environmental and political impacts to the people of Canada. The political atmosphere regarding moves employed to reduce GHG emissions should be addressed. The Canadian government has heavily received criticism from environmental groups and other governments on its role in reducing GHG emissions (Darragh, 1998). Further, I believe that the government should work to maintain the political will of the people. This is clearly evident in polls showing great support for the Kyoto protocol that would ensure that Canada reduced its GHG emissions to considerable amounts (Graves & Boucher, 2005). The government should consider the push by civil and political groups, among them, the liberals, Bloc Québécois, Friends of the Earth and the new Democratic Party, that advocate for Canada to meet global change obligations (Graves & Boucher, 2005; Seed Magazine, 2007). In addition, in spite of the adaptation of some policies by the federal government, a number of states are engaging in policies that bring GHG emissions under control (Telegraph Journal, 2009). Long droughts are a projection of the climatic changes experienced especially in the prairies. As a result, summer cooling and pumping would increase in demand, resulting to increase thermal production and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, wildlife species die due to lack of water. Changes in temperatures and rainfall would affect the sea levels, whose impacts may possibly bring in floods, erosion and sedimentation of the coastal region, and reduction in sea ice levels (Darragh, 1998). Climatic changes would directly affect indigenous populations due to their close relationship with the environment. Human population relies on land and sea for survival. Changing weather patterns also affect economic activities among them, agriculture, tourism and forestry. Floods and calamities caused by extreme weather conditions could also damage infrastructure, and cause significant health problems to human population that supports the economy of the country. In addition, air pollution increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems in the human population. The Kyoto Protocol as an Effective Policy As a citizen, I think that the government should re-think its decision about withdrawing from the Kyoto protocol. This protocol assists countries in adjusting to the unfavorable effects of climatic changes through developing and deploying technologies that help in fighting the impacts of climatic change (UNFCC, 2005). Through the department of environment, the government of Canada should work to ensure protection of citizens from any harm caused by climatic and environmental changes. The department of the environment is conscientious for coordinating environmental programs and implementing policies with the goal of preserving and improving the natural environment (Environment Canada, 2013). According to the Canadian constitution, the responsibility of environmental management is shared between the federal government and territorial governments, which have primary authority for resource management (Denstedt and Duncanson, 2012). The Kyoto protocol contains sets of rules that govern the emission of GHG emissions with the aim of putting a stop to induced obstruction of the climatic system (UNFCC, 2005). This protocol would ensure that the federal government has put enough measures to protect the environment by enforcing laws that are against GHG emissions. Implementing the Kyoto Policy In an effort to implement the Kyoto protocol efficiently, the Canadian government would face possible oppositions from a number of parties. From the implementation history of the Kyoto Protocol in the Canadian government, The House of Common has taken and opposition stands by passing opposition bills. Further, the department of environment, through its minister has illustrated the stand of the ministry by citing that Canada is not liable to huge financial penalties (CBC NEWS, 2011). It is also evident that several business groups have also cited their views disregarding the protocol because their companies would be disadvantaged. In addition, the World Bank, a Canadian International Regulatory and Advisory Body heavily object the limited financial support of the protocol (World Bank, 2010). Even though the policy has faced opposition, I believe that the government can: 1. Reduce GHG emissions from burning of fossil fuels. This can be achieved via the regulation of the transport system that contributes a high percentage in burning of fossil fuels. Raising taxes on gasoline and reducing transport fares will decrease the number of private owned cars on the roads, hence reduce GHG emitted. Also, the government can technologically develop cars that consume clean fuels that emit less GHG or none. 2. Regulate the generation of electricity through incentives that aim at developing renewable sources of energy like wind solar. 3. Introduce laws in the building sector where old buildings will be fitted with insulation windows, and upgraded heating and cooling systems with furnaces. 4. Enhance carbon sinks through improvising better farming methods that aim at making soils potential carbon sinks and practicing forestation. 5. Conduct energy audits in business in order to identify low cost options for reducing GHG emissions and assess potential energy saving. 6. Create markets for GHG emitting industrial waste products that can be recycled, rather than dumping in landfills. 7. Educate local communities about home energy efficiency and public transport programs and policies. The population can work jointly with the federal government to capture methane gas from landfill sites, planting trees for air conditioning, and building co-generating energy plants. The Kyoto protocol is the only self-regulating GHG international emission policy that provides an assurance to future reduction commitments. Even though the protocol seems to present diminutive steps towards alleviating concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the outcome is significant. Further, the protocol straightens the stand of Canada by setting out an example to other developing nations and its citizens that the global warming problem is being taken seriously, and the natural environment is safeguarded. The Kyoto protocol also acts as a stepping stone to other environmental conservation policies. As a result, the policy should be adopted by all stakeholders and other states, so as to ensure that relevant national and international goals are attained favorably. Yours Sincerely, Name and Signature Date and Address References CBC News (2011). “Canada pulls out of Kyoto Protocol” Retrieved March 10, 2014, from , http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-pulls-out-of-kyoto-protocol-1.999072 Conference Board of Canada. (2011). Environment: GHG Emissions Per Capita (July Report). Retrieved March 10, 2014, from, http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/environment/greenhouse-gas-emissions.aspx Darragh, I. (1998). A Guide to Kyoto: Climate Change and What it Means to Canadians International Institute for Sustainable Development. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Denstedt, S., & Duncanson, S. (2012.). Federal Government Releases Draft Legislation to Reform Federal Regulatory System. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Business Law in Canada. Retrieved March 10, 2014, from http://www.osler.com/NewsResources/Federal-Government-Releases-Draft-Legislation-to-Reform-Federal-Regulatory-System/ Environment Canada - Environment Canadas Home Page. (2013). Government of Canada, Environment Canada. Retrieved March 8, 2014, from http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=BD3CE17D-1 Graves, F., & Boucher, C., (2005). "Public Attitudes Towards the Kyoto Protocol" (PDF). Ekos Research Associates. Retrieved March 10, 2014, From www.ekos.com/admin/articles/10June02KyotoProt.pdf Seed Magazine. (2007)."Friends Of The Earth sue Canada for breaching Kyoto Protocol". Archived from the original on 22 June 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2014, from http://web.archive.org/web/20070622092334/http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2007/05/friends_of_the_earth_sue_canad.php Telegraph Journal. (2009). "Alberta leading the way in carbon-offset programs". Retrieved March 10, 2014, from , https://www.telegraphjournal.com/csp/cms/sites/TJOnline/GreaterSJ/index.csp United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) (2005), Kyoto Protocol: Monitoring emission targets. Retrieved March 10, 2014, from http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php World Bank. (2010). “Integrating development into a global climate regime": World Development Report, pp. 248 Read More