Interim Plan 2001 on Particulate Matter and Ozone: chapter 6


6.0 Supporting Actions on Climate Change

Many of the environmental challenges that Canada faces are interrelated, and action on one can affect others. For example, many of the human activities that contribute to PM and ozone production also produce excess greenhouse gases that lead to climate change. Burning fossil fuels releases NOx into the atmosphere, and also carbon dioxide (CO2) - a greenhouse gas that absorbs some of the sun's heat and warms the Earth. Global use of fossil fuels releases more than 22 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.

The Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change will help Canada become a world leader in sustainable development, and a leading nation in the production and use of all forms of energy. Canadians can also expect other direct benefits from investing in measures to reduce climate change, including cleaner air, cost savings from energy efficiency measures, and expanded use of renewable energy technologies.

Individual actions, and programs by organizations, communities, municipalities and industries, will also reduce emissions that affect both air quality and climate change. Industries can have some security in the investments they make to take action in these areas, knowing there are benefits to both environmental and human health. Sustainable agriculture initiatives such as the Climate Change Skills and Knowledge Transfer Initiatives and research projects on carbon sequestration in soils and climate change assessments could also help improve air quality.

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