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Air quality
Greenhouse gas emissions
Freshwater quality
Linking the indicators to society and the economy
Air quality
The air quality indicators track measures of long term exposure of Canadians during the warm season (April 1 to September 30) to ground-level ozone and to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), two key components of smog that have been linked to health impacts ranging from minor respiratory problems to hospitalizations and even premature death. Studies indicate that adverse health effects can occur even with low concentrations of these pollutants in the air.
- Nationally, the ozone exposure indicator increased an average of 0.8% per year from 1990 to 2005. For the full time period, this resulted in an overall increase of 12% (plus or minus 10 percentage points, resulting in an increase ranging from 2% to 22% at a 90% confidence level). In 2005, ozone concentrations were highest at stations in southern Ontario; southern Quebec and Alberta also had many stations with high concentrations.
- Between 1990 and 2005, the ozone exposure indicator increased in two regions - in southern Ontario by 17% (plus or minus 13 percentage points, ranging from 4% to 30% at a 90% confidence level) and in southern Quebec by 15% (plus or minus 12 percentage points, ranging from 3% to 27% at a 90% confidence level). In other regions, the ozone exposure indicator showed no statistically significant increasing or decreasing trends.
- The PM2.5 exposure indicator showed no significant increasing or decreasing trends, either nationally or regionally between 2000 and 2005. The highest PM2.5 concentrations in 2005 were detected at stations in southern Ontario and southern Quebec.
Greenhouse gas emissions
- In 2005, Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were estimated to be 747 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, up 25% from 1990.
- Canada’s 2005 emissions were 33% above the Kyoto Protocol target of 563 megatonnes, which is 6% below the 1990 baseline level.
- Recently (2003 to 2005), the growth in emissions has been slowed due primarily to a significant reduction in emissions from electricity production (reduced coal and increased hydro and nuclear generation), coupled with reduced demand for heating fuels due to warm winters and a reduced rate of increase in fossil fuel production.
- Overall, energy production and consumption contributed about 82% of Canada’s total GHG emissions in 2005. From 1990 to 2005, these emissions rose by 29%, accounting for 90% of the growth in Canada’s total GHG emissions over the 16 year period.
- The amount of GHGs emitted per unit of economic activity was 17.8% lower in 2005 than in 1990. Increases in overall economic activity, however, resulted in increases in total energy use and GHG emissions.
Freshwater quality
This indicator, as a water quality index based on many chemical parameters, assesses surface freshwater quality with respect to protecting aquatic life (e.g. fish, invertebrates and plants), but does not assess the quality of water for human consumption or use. The data available are not sufficient to report national trends for the indicator at this time. It is based on information gathered from 2003 to 2005.
- Freshwater quality for 359 monitoring sites in southern Canada was rated as "good" or "excellent" at 44% of the sites, "fair" at 33% and "marginal" or "poor" at 23%.
- Freshwater quality measured at 36 monitoring sites in northern Canada was rated as "good" or "excellent" at 56% of the sites, "fair" at 31% and "marginal" or "poor" at 14%.
- Phosphorus, a nutrient mainly derived from human activities and a key driver of the water quality index, is a major concern for surface freshwater quality in Canada. Phosphorus levels exceeded limits set under the water quality guidelines for aquatic life over half the time at 127 of 344 monitoring sites.
Linking the indicators to society and the economy
- Population size, distribution and density play a major role in determining the impacts that human activities have on the environment. Between 1990 and 2005, Canada’s population grew by 17%, from 27.7 million people to 32.3 million. With growing numbers of people living in and around urban areas, the potential for impacts on local and regional air and surface water quality are multiplied. From 1991 to 2006, urban populations increased by 21%, while rural populations decreased by 2%.
- Growth in economic activity brings benefits in the form of increased income, but can also lead to greater pressure on the environment. For instance, economic growth has led to greater energy use by industries, which in turn has resulted in increased emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Nevertheless, some large energy consuming industries are becoming more energy efficient, thereby offsetting some of the growth in emissions. For instance, the manufacturing industry reduced its energy requirements to produce a unit of goods and services by 33% between 1990 and 2002.1 However, total growth in sales of manufactured goods and services outpaced the energy-efficiency improvements, resulting in an overall 4% increase in total manufacturing energy use.
- Consumption behaviours also have an effect on the environment. For example, close to one fifth (17%) of the energy consumed in Canada is used directly by households to heat and power their homes, something that impacts both air quality and greenhouse gases emissions.
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