The world’s greenhouse gas problems require local solutions

The Record
Eric Davis
September 11, 2009

With a federal election on the horizon and with economic issues dominating the
headlines, an issue that has been seemingly pushed aside is that of the
environment.

Though it is not new information, we must continue to acknowledge that our

global climate is nearing a state of crisis. All around us significant environmental
changes are beginning to appear and there is the potential for further and
possibly greater changes to occur in the future, with effects that would be
irreversible. In order to avoid those changes, we must act quickly to slow fossil
fuel emissions during the next several decades.

Indeed, some of the changes we are now seeing are hastening the approaching
crisis. For example, as Arctic sea ice melts, the darker ocean absorbs more
sunlight and speeds melting. As tundra melts, methane (a strong greenhouse
gas) is released, which causes more warming. As species are pressured and
become extinct by shifting climate zones, ecosystems can collapse, devastating
more species.

Human beings have already caused atmospheric carbon dioxide to increase

from 280 to 387 ppm (parts per million). What science has revealed in the past
few years is that a safe level of carbon dioxide is no more than 350 ppm. For
example, an atmospheric CO2 level of 450 ppm would eventually yield dramatic
changes, including sea levels much higher than they exist today. To put it in
context, 450 ppm yields global warming about 2°C above the pre-industrial level.

It is clear that if we burn all the fossil fuels at our disposal, or even half of
remaining reserves, we will send the planet toward an ice-free state. Although it
would take time for complete ice sheet disintegration to occur, a chaotic and
uncontrollable situation would result. One need only think of the millions of
people around the globe who live at or slightly above sea level to get a sense of
what could happen should the ice melt and sea levels rise tens of metres higher
than they are today.

But all hope is not yet lost. Many governments and organizations around the
world are working toward reducing global CO2 emissions. Although change
needs to occur on a global scale, combined local efforts can help significantly in
reducing emissions.
One local organization that is attempting to address the issue head-on is
Sustainable Waterloo, a not-for-profit organization that guides other
organizations in Waterloo Region toward a more environmentally sustainable
future.

The current work of Sustainable Waterloo is centred on what is referred to as the

“regional carbon initiative,” which supports voluntary target-setting and
reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region.
Sustainable Waterloo facilitates collaboration between industry, local
government, academia and non-governmental organizations, with a focus on the
high-tech sector.

To participate in the regional carbon initiative, organizations are given two main
options:

1) one can become a “pledging partner” and make a public commitment to

reduce carbon emissions and any subsequent achievements would be
recognized by Sustainable Waterloo; or,

2) one can become an “observing organization” and make a private commitment,

though Sustainable Waterloo would still track your progress.

All those involved in the regional carbon initiative are provided with a carbon
accounting and reporting tool, quarterly educational forums and technical
workshops, a directory of Waterloo Region greenhouse gas services, and
inclusion in consolidated reporting and public recognition, as merited.

In order to avoid a climate crisis and reduce the level of global CO2 emissions,
organizations like Sustainable Waterloo are desperately needed, but so are
those willing to participate in such initiatives. Though we are dealing with a global
problem, there can still be local solutions.

Eric Davis is a lawyer in Waterloo.

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