Transcript Blanca L. De La Pava Country Report Environmental Issues Canada

Blanca L. De La Pava
Country Report
Environmental Issues
Canada
Class 1640
Ileana Porges W.
Hialeah Center
Canada’s Environmental
Issues
•
A. Air Pollution
1. Acid Rain
a. Forest
b. Lakes
2. Vehicle Emissions
3. Metal Smelting
a. Lakes
b. Ocean Waters
•
B. Endangered Species
1.Extinction
a. Mammals
b. Birds
c. Fish
2. Threatened
a. Mammals
b. Birds
c. Reptiles
d. Fish
e. Plants
3. Vulnerable
a. Mammal
b. Birds
c. Reptiles
d. Amphibians
e. Fish
f. Plants
Canada’s Environmental
Issues
Canada, like any other country, faces daily decisions dealing with
Its environment which can impact its natural resources and quality of
life for all its inhabitants. There are many different issues and we will
focus on two major ones: Air Pollution and the growing list of
Endangered Species.
Air Pollution: The Canadian people are fighting for environmental
Protection regulations that pertain to acid rain, vehicle emissions and
industry such as metal smelting. These are important environmental
and health concerns for every living being. Many factors can
contribute to air pollution one of these is the effect of acid rain, which
is mainly caused by two components; sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide. These chemicals are the result of processing of fossil fuels and
the by product of exhaust from combustion engines used in motor
vehicles. Vehicle emissions has been a difficult problem for Canada.
The number of cars increases everyday. They are trying to minimize
the traffic by utilizing public transportation systems and promoting the
use of bicycles and walking. This is being done because of its effects
on health and its contribution to acid rain.
The effects of acid rain are many. It damages the forest ( plants
and trees ) contaminates lakes and rivers, and kills or harms many
different forms of wildlife. For example in pine trees and other plants,
it is noticeable on the leaves and branches and for some the harmful
effects can occur within hours or days after exposure to acid rain.
Some species are less susceptible to the acid waters such as the
frogs. Another contributor to air pollution is metal smelting, which is a
process of extracting aluminum from aluminum oxide, this reaction
releases cyanide and lethal levels of fluoride into the environment and
the air, contaminating the ocean waters, lakes and decreasing life of
all aquatic organisms.
Endangered Species: This is
another issue of great concern to
Canadians. There are currently 455
plants and animals species at risk in
Canada, when these species can no
longer find food, clean water, and the
climate that they need and when
they are being hunted, wildlife
populations decline and some species
disappear completely.
The species that no longer exists
anywhere such as:
mammals like: Dawson’s Caribou
which became extinct by over
hunting and climate change.
Birds such as the Great Auk,
hunted for their feathers and the
eggs were collected and chicks were
taken as fish bait
Fish like the Blue Wallaye, was also
overfished.
Many threatened species likely to
become endangered in Canada
Include the Wood Bison that are
being hunted and sold to
organizations that run hunting
The Burrowing Owl which is being
threatened by predators, power lines
and fences.
Reptiles including the Rattle Snake
are being killed by humans.
The Banded Killifish. Not just the
cold waters, but also many chemical
contaminants, such as pesticides,
herbicides can kill these fish.
For rare plants like the Kentucky
Coffee Tree, the climate and the
lack of reproduction by seeds is the
main limiting factor.
Vulnerable species particularly at
risk because of low or declining
numbers include the Peregrine
Falcon, the cause of its decline is
the use of agricultural pesticides in
the environment.
Another fish to make the list is the
Gadus Morhua, on decline again
from overfishing
The Spotted Turtle, because of the
low birth rates, capture (as a pet)
and road kill, these turtles are
decreasing in number.
Amphibians such as the Great Basin are
being killed by vehicles as they emerge from
the water on to nearby roadways.
Plants like the Green Dragon, its decline is a
direct result of habitat modification due to
recreational, industrial and recreational
development
In summary, air pollution and endangered species are the most significant
environmental problems that Canada faces today. These issues in conjunction with
Some humans activities are affecting the population. The Canadians are working for a
Better environment and to protect its forests, lakes, ocean waters and fauna.
MLA: “ Access to Environmental Issues in Canada”
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/environment/roadtraffic.html
“Access to Air Pollution” www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/canev.html
“Access to Acid Rain” http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/dynamic/off site.html
“Access to Endangered Species” speciesatrisk.gc.ca/default_e.cfm
http:// raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/species.html (Alberta’s endangered species)