The Canadian federal
government expenditures on oil sands, including tax expenditures,
research and development support and the Syncrude Remission Order,
is estimated to be approximately $1,193 million from 1996 to 2002,
inclusive. The trends in government expenditure on the oil and gas
industry described above are particularly worrisome in light of
Canada's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the
Kyoto Protocol. In 2002, 20% of Canada’s GHG emissions came
from the oil and gas industry, up from 16% in 1990.
The Green
Party of Canada believes in promoting energy conservation, and
the conservation of wildlife, habitats, and natural ecosystems,
shifting to a green economy, building mass transit and transportation
systems that make ecological and social sense, reducing greenhouse
gases and achieving Kyoto targets and moving beyond. Unfortunately,
they aren't taken seriously enough, and thus have no real power
to affect Canadian Government issues.
The United States remains the largest energy consumer
in the world, and also the world's largest emitter of energy-related
carbon dioxide. Although according to the EPA, "Over the last
30 years, total emissions of six principal air pollutants have decreased
by nearly 25%, resulting in lower concentrations of these pollutants
in ambient air;" "one of the major components of acid rain, wet
sulfate deposition, has declined. and "air toxic's emissions
have declined". Is it really doing enough? With populations
ever growing, the amount of pollution will still climb anyway.
In Europe, polluting emissions from transport continue
to impact on health and undermine progress towards Kyoto targets,
says a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Human
exposure to increased pollutant concentrations in densely populated
urban areas is high. Air quality limit values, which are aimed at
protecting public health, are frequently exceeded especially in
streets and other urban hotspots. An EEA study of 20 European cities
found air pollution above recommended levels in every one, according
to a new EEA report. The improvement of air quality is therefore
imperative. |
