Grade 10 Academic Science – Climate Change
Canadian Emissions of Greenhouse Gases
Task

Calculate the percent change in CO2 equivalent emissions by Canadian sector using 1990 as the
base (...or starting...) year. Why 1990? By the Kyoto Protocol, Canada was to reduce emissions
to 20% of 1990 levels.
Table 1. Some Canadian Sources of Greenhouse Gases 1990, 2006, 2008
Source
1990 Annual
Quantity of
Emission
(mega-tonnes
CO2
equivalents)
2006 Annual
Quantity of
Emission
(mega-tonnes
CO2
equivalents)
2008 Annual
Quantity of
Emission
(mega-tonnes
CO2
equivalents)
Transportation
132
190
176
Agriculture
14
62
71
Industrial
Processes
257
324
387
Waste
Management
23
21
21
Fugitive
sources
43
65
67
Forestry
-12
20
19
Percent
Change
1990 - 2006
Source. Natural Resources Canada. 2010. Energy Use Data Handbook Tables (Online).
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/handbook_res_ca.cfm?attr=0
In your own words, what does the term “mega-tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent” mean?
Table 2. Examples of Sources of Greenhouse Gases
Source
Transportation
Agriculture
Industrial
Processes
Waste
Management
Forestry
Fugitive
Emissions
Example
Percent
Change
1990 - 2008
Are forests sources or sinks?
 Canada has about 400 million hectares of forest
(Science Perspectives 10).

Global Warming policy makers suggest Canada has
a vast carbon sink in its forest resources. Examine
Figure 5 on Page 392 of your textbook. Are
Canada’s forest always a carbon sink? Explain.

In the image, is the forest acting as a carbon sink or
source? Explain.

From Table 1, does it seem that Canada’s forests
are presently a carbon sink? Explain.

We have discussed Carbon Trading. In your own
words, what is Carbon Trading?

A quick summary of Carbon Trading (cap-andtrade). In short, a CAP is a legal limit on the TOTAL
QUANTITY of greenhouse gases that a region can
emit each year. The cap is divided amongst all
sources of inputs in that region, and each source is given a permit describing the maximum
carbon that they can discharge. TRADING occurs between sources of input. Sources exceeding
their permit can trade (…or purchase…) permits from sources using less than allowable
discharge. In this way, the total quantity is not exceeded. A cap-and-trade program (1) allows
the economic market to control the pace of change, (2) sparks the competitiveness and ingenuity
to reduce emissions (i.e., people try to make money find new technologies to allow trades), (3)
reduces the need for prohibitive legislation and restrictive rules and (4) finds solutions that are
cost effective, (5) supports economic growth and (6) achieves environmental quality goals
creatively. Using a chart or diagram, explain CAP-and-TRADE in your own words.

Using you answer and information above, the textbook and your understanding of forests as
carbon sinks, do you think Canada can use its forest resources in a carbon trading program?