Answer the questions:

I CHECK YOUR LEARNING 1. (a) What one activity does the average Canadian do regularly that produces half of the individual greenhouse gas emissions in Canada? (b) Think of four ways that you and your family can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this activity. E'Zl ll 2. (a) What activity at the individual level produces the second greatest amount of greenhouse gases for Canadians? (b) Describe how you could reduce your greenhouse gas emissions in this activity in both summer and winter. Em ll 3. ln ajournal, record all the activities you engage in or see in your daily life that cause greenhouse gas emissions. With your friends, make a list of suggestions on how to reduce emissions in each of these ways. Prioritize them. I! B 4. (a) If you or your family is affiliated with a particular cultural, traditional, or religious perspective, find out what its viewpoint is with regard to climate change and stewardship. Do you agree with this point of view? (D) Ask your parents, family members, or guardians what the concept of stewardship means to them. Is stewardship a useful idea as regards their attitude toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions? III I?! 5. Describe how reducing greenhouse gas emissions could improve your standard of living. III 6. (a) How does tree planting reduce the impact of climate change? (b) What trees are native to the area where you live? How much would it cost to plant a young native tree around your house? Em III 7. (a) Write a few sentences describing what carbon offset credits are and why we should use them. {b} What are two concerns with carbon offset cred'rls? E'Zl l5! 8. 10. 11. 12. Suppose that your family is purchasing a new appliance, such as a refrigerator, stove, or dish washer. You can purchase one model for $400, or you can purchase a second model almost identical to the first, but much more energy efficient, for $600. The energy-efficient model will save your family $25 in electricity each year. How many years would it take to recover the additional cost of purchasing the energy-efficient model, assuming that the additional capital {$200) is loaned to you interest-free for these years? EII (a) if the cost of electricity stayed the same? (b) if the cost of electricity went up 6 % a year on average? {c} Should cost be the only consideration when buying an appliance? Justify your answer. Use a table, such as Table 1, or a diagram to summarize the information in this section, and your response to it. If! Table I Sectionsays... Ithlnk... In your opinion, would it solve the problem of Canadian and us. emissions if everyone bought enough carbon offset credits to offset their emissions? Explain why or why not. ll ll Explain the meaning of the phrase, \"responsible stewardship of Earth.\" ED What is the biggest reason for you, personally, to take action against climate change? ll What Can Individuals Do? 10.5 Most of the impacts of climate change are expected to occur to some degree tch to clean energy sources. The risk of dangerous even if humans quickly switch to clean energy impacts shon as extreme sea level rise and massive species extinctions increases if we take longer to make changes. The main reason to take action is that not taking action will have dangerous consequences for us all. Not taking action could harm millions of people. It is easy make lists about what actions large groups should be taking. We should also look at what each of us can do. What is our role, as individuals, in reducing climate change? Reducing Your Emissions from Energy Use in Canada one-third of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions come - water heating 11 9 from the activities of individuals. Most of the greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation and home heating and cooling lighting 2 9% ( Figure 1). This is good news because it means that you, your and lights 8 %% friends, and your family can make a genuine our own emissions of greenhouse gases. home transportation are many ways to conserve energy and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Here are just a few. Many of them will cooling ven save you money- . Walk, bike, take public transport, or carpool to school. . If buying a car, choose the most fuel-efficient one you ca afford. Maintain it regularly to keep it running efficiently. Figure 1 Personal greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in Canada Switch off lights and unplug appliances, such as computers and lectricity on standby when they are not in use. READING TIP Fly less, to reduce the amount of pollution (including greenhouse gases) emitted by airplanes and by the production of airplane fuel. Existing Knowledge Use air conditioners and heating only when necessary. Use a you have a treasure chest of programmable thermostat to turn down the heat when you do not need it. Use it to make connections with Plant trees that are native to your area. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, and native trees will not harm local ecosystems. relates to the text. For example, for Turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave. Take short showers Conserving water saves energy because fossil fuels are used to heat the water. has your family made a chance What else could you add to this list? entry, to reduce their energy use RESEARCH THIS BUYING ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES SKILLS: Researching, Identifying Alternatives, Communicating buying energy efficient appliances can save money and reduce . Write a brief (one page) description of the ENERGY STAR products must meet technical specification to ensure that roducts are energy efficient. . What ENERGY STAR" rebates and incentives are available to Ontano residents? Research what problems the disposal of old What environmental problems might they cause? was cause and where old appliances are disposed of. D. What ENERGY STAR" appliances do you have in your GO TO NELSON SCIENCE home? can 10.5 What Can Individuals Do? RESEARCH THIS EATING LOCAL SKILLS: Defining the Issue, Researching, Communicating, Evaluating preparing and transporting to to "eat local." What issue can help save anan produce Write a bret description of the anamay that may ha 1. Research the benefits of eating local produce. Look into processing, packaging, and transporting the frozen sed in cooking a similar meal at home, using local 2. Research the benefits to the environment of growing and C. Evaluate the decision to "eat local." Explain your valuation. 3. Go to a grocery store and look at a frozen packaged meal How might switching from conventional farming to organic package says what city the meat combe and see if farming give local ecosystems a better chance of adapting to Research Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Locate changes in climate? can a Would you consider buying produce from a CSA farm? at least one CSA farm near you. Explain why or why not. um a GO TO NELSON SCIENCE Carbon Offset Credits Even committed environmentalists such as David Suzuki say that it is impossible to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to zer However, we can achieve carbon neutrality" by purchasing carbon offset credits when we purchase creams th clean energy programs such as new wind energy To learn more about carbon set carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gas) emissions Sim when we purchase credits for reforestation in Braz GO TO NELSON SCIENCE sinks, thus, we help offset the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. projects can offset your greenhouse gas ery sources such as (a) solar power You may hear criticisms of the carbon offset program. Some people feel it is a way for rich westerners to ease their conscience and continue t fuel-intensive lifestyle. Many organizations suggest that we should purchase carbon offset credits only after we have made a strong effort to minimize our carbon footprint. Others believe that organizations receiving carbon offset credit payments do little with the money . Fo s. it is important to deal with certified carbon offset organizations. Chapter 10 . Assessing and Responding to Climate Change CITIZEN ACTION Everyone Can Make a Difference Work with a partner or in a small gr up to brainstorm specific Try to persuade others to join you in taking action. Consider mitigate of adapt to climate change Your suggestions must be creating a video and posting it onlinemance art piece, or practical. Present your actions on a poster or as a in your school or in a local library or shopping mall. GO TO NELSON SCIENCE Climate Change and Stewardship stewardship is an old concept that is coming back into focus in Ontario. This esponsibly for our children. One of the worst inheritances we could eave to future generations would be an Earth spoiled by our extravagance. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MINK) has an interesting tewardship program for 17-year-old students. Every summer, they employ "Ontario Stewardship Rangers" to work on a variety of projects. These include conducting forest research, planting trees, and studying species at risk (Figure 3). The MNR also supports a volunteer organization for adult to get involved in caring for Ontario's environment and dealing To learn more about Ontario change. This organization is called Ontario Stewardship. GO TO NELSON SCIENCE Figure 3 Ontario Stewardship Ranger ecological research, or create wadlife You read above that stewardship is not a new idea. In fact, it has been DID YOU KNOW? part of many cultural, traditional, and religious beliefs throughout human history. If you or your family is affiliated with a particular tradition, you aforestation in the Amazon Rainforest might like to find out what viewpoint it takes with regard to climate change nd stewardship. when of Earth's deforestation is taking Ultimately, how we think about our environment concerns values. ple clear land for farming. We could Ontario's science curriculum says, "Values that are central to responsible colect the rainforest and reduce further stewardship are: using non-renewable resources with care; reusing and weloping nations in the Amazon region recycling what we can ; switching to renewable resources where possible " (The Ontario Curriculum: Grades 9 and 10 Science, 2008 (revised), page 5). 10.5 What Can Individuals Do? 431 The impacts of climate change may seem too large or global to be affected To take the One Less Tonne r personal choices, but they are not. Choices made by you, your challenge and learn how yo family, your school, and your community can make a big difference. You can gas emissions, asons why you should take action, Some are cases, There are important reasons why you sho GO TO NELSON SCIENCE discussed below. TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S HEALTH A warming climate would increase smog levels in cities. By reducing prevent further pollution ( Figure 4). Switching to pop-motorized activities (canoeing instead of power boating, and walking or bikin the planet and for your health. In addition, eating less meat and fewer packaged foods is a good choice. TO SAVE MONEY ferent climate is likely to be very expensive for cities, 100 bocchicome bridge in the short term but could save money in the lon 50 term by preventing extreme climate change ( Figure 5). Also, being energy efficient saves money and reduces emissions. TO IMPROVE YOUR CITY OR TOWN Many of the actions that reduce greenhouse gases have additional positive results for our cities a or example, reducing energy consumption-perhaps by developing communities that require less car travel-could result in less traffic, less smog, and less risk of electricity blackouts (Figure 6). TO PROTECT TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES As plant and animal species migrate into new areas, cultural activities change protects these traditional activities. It also protects other winter activities, such as skiing, and even some summer activities since it could become much hotter in the summer. TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT Reducing climate change will discourage invading species that prefer warmer temperatures. This will help protect native plants and animals in your region (Figure 8)