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The Science of Climate Change & Air Quality
Human CO2 Emissions & Lifestyles
This graph depicts Human-Induced CO2 Emissions (Excluding Land-Use Change and Forestry).
Many European nations, with similar climates and standards of living to Canada’s, have GHG per capita emissions that are less than half of ours.
That suggests that we can reasonably cut our GHG emissions, and still maintain a high standard of living. Take Sweden for example - a cold climate country with per-capita emissions that are one third of Canada’s. Major changes in consumer behavior and public and industry infrastructure will be need to help reduce green house gas Emissions.
How do they do it?
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They have more compact cities, which allow for effective public transit networks and lower automobile use
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They rely on widespread use of ‘district heating’ (community energy) systems that utilize waste energy from electric power plants to supply ambient heat to nearby buildings
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They have strong environmental policies that encourage energy-efficient building practices
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Tax policies in Europe are such that high fossil fuel prices discourage energy consumption, and encourage conservation and renewable energy alternatives.
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