When solar energy hits the ground, it warms the Earth and turns into infrared energy. Gases in the atmosphere act like the glass panes of a greenhouse and trap a part of these rays, resulting in a warming effect. This natural phenomenon is what allows the surface of the Earth to maintain an average temperature of 15°C. Without this greenhouse effect, the average surface temperature of the planet would be -18°C.
Climate Change is a direct effect of a surplus of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere due to human activity, leading to an accelerated rise of the Earth’s average temperature. This added heating is at the origin of the « reinforced greenhouse gas effect » which can have severe repercussions on the Earth’s physical and chemical processes as well as on biodiversity and natural areas.
Human activity has a big influence on the Earth’s temperature and its climate, as GHG emissions are mainly produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. According to the National Energy Board of Canada, the three sectors that contribute the most to climate change in New Brunswick are electricity generation (32%), transportation (28%) and oil and gas (17%).
As in other industrialized countries, additional GHG emissions come from heating systems for buildings, industrial processes, manufacturing and waste management. Deforestation and land modification as well as agriculture also contribute to the alarming rate of increase of GHGs in the atmosphere.
According to data from the Conference Board of Canada, our country gets a “D” for very high GHG emissions (per citizen), the equivalent of 20.5 tonnes of CO2 per person for the year 2016. The only countries who received worse marks are the United States and Australia.
New Brunswick’s results were not better, with 20.77 tonnes per resident, equaling a total of 15.3 megatons (Mt) of carbon dioxide.
In Canada, the National Indicator monitors seven Greenhouse Gases that are responsible for climate change. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important of these GHGs. Atmospheric concentration of this gas is now 40% higher than it was in the pre-industrial era (18th century).
The seven gases are listed in the table below- carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), fluorocarbons (CxFy), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).
The following table lists the GHGs and indicates their primary source and use.
In order to determine what factors contribute the most to climate change, increased monitoring of fossil fuel energy is essential. The primary challenge is implementing new models of economic growth that are less dependent on energy consumption. Energy efficiency must also be improved alongside the continued development of cleaner sources of energy.
Through December 2015’s Paris Agreement, the international community, including Canada, recognizes that the battle against climate change is about reducing our Greenhouse Gas emissions. The Agreement aims to limit the rise of the Earth’s average temperature well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, and to avoid an increase of more than1.5 °C. Now is the time to make the transition towards a low-carbon world economy.
Interesting links
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Greenhouse gas sources and sinks
Natural Resources Canada- Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs)
Cutting Greenhouse Gases in NB – Conservation Council of New Brunswick
Provincial and Territorial Energy Profiles- New Brunswick
Paris Agreement
