Facts, Figures and Quotes
"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that if no explicit action is taken to curb GHG emissions from human activities, the global average surface temperature is projected to increase by 1.4 to 5.8ºC between 1990 and 2100. Warming of this magnitude would cause enormous disruption." (Pembina Institute, November, 2005. The Case for Deep Reductions: Canada's Role in Preventing Dangerous Climate Change) "Nova Scotia's greenhouse gas emissions grew by 18% between 1990 and 2004. Road transport contributed the most GHG emissions in 2004 (69%). Heavy-duty diesel trucks produced about 54% more emissions in 2004 than in 1990." (GPI Atlantic, November, 2006. The GPI Transportation Accounts: Sustainable Transportation in Nova Scotia) "Research from US-based Electric Power Research Institute identifies the Bay of Fundy as perhaps the most potent site for tidal power generation in North America. When fully developed, new in-stream tidal technology has the potential to generate 300 megawatts of green, emission free energy from only eight small locations in the Bay of Fundy - enough energy to power close to 100,000 homes." (NS Department of Energy) "Up to half of Canada's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (350 million tonnes) are under the direct or indirect control or influence of municipal governments." (FCM Centre for Sustainable Community Development ) "Seventy-five percent of the world's energy is consumed in urban areas." (Pew Center on Global Climate Change "The first greenhouse gas reduction target adopted by any level of government in the world was put forward by Toronto in 1989. That city's actions helped inspire the first formal municipal program for climate protection, the Urban CO2 Reduction Project, which was launched in 1991 by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)." (Pew Center on Global Climate Change "Around the world, energy efficiency is the fastest growing way of meeting people's needs, followed by using the sun to produce heat, followed by wind power, followed by solar electricity." (Climate Protection Manual for Cities, 2007) "Atlantic Canada has the longest length of coastline sensitive to sea-level rise in Canada: approximately 80% of the Atlantic Region's coast is considered to be moderately to highly sensitive." (Shaw, J., Taylor, R.B., Forbes, D.L., Ruz, M-H. and Solomon, S. 1998. Sensitivity of the coasts of Canada to sea-level rise. Geological Survey of Canada Bulletin 505. 79p.) "Municipal governments are key to adaptation because they control much of the infrastructure that will be adversely affected and the emergency management programs that will respond to extreme events." (Kyle McKenzie, Philana Dollin, Bruce Gilbert, and Peter Duinker Dalhousie University, December 2006. Five-Year Compendium: Status of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation in Atlantic Canada from the Perspective of C-CIARN Atlantic) "Adaptation and mitigation ought to be complementary parts of any climate change strategy." (Conference Board of Canada, March, 2006. Adapting to Climate Change: Is Canada Ready?)
"Global warming has accelerated from a problem that might affect our grandchildren to one that could significantly disturb the social and economic conditions of our lifetime." Richard Murray, Chief Claims Strategist, Swiss Re |
"Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level." (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, February, 2007. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis, Summary for Policymakers.)
"You can no longer deny the science and bury your head in the sand - climate change is real, and by looking at where and how we are contributing to that problem, we can identify how to reduce our emissions and create a better future for our children and grandchildren." Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York City, 2007