Talk big, walk little is Canada's approach to environment

Canada may have a decent track record when it comes to greening up the big cities such as Toronto but when it comes to protecting the environment how does the nation stack up?

In terms of natural wealth few countries compare to Canada with its vast freshwater and sea water resources, energy, minerals, timber, fisheries and farmland. Canada is a self sustainable country in many ways. Most Canadians value nature. According to Ian Angus's book A Border Within, 98 percent of Canadians view nature in all its variety as essential to human survival. The residents of Canada are largely pro-environment. Scientists and environmental experts forecast declines in environmental quality in the next decade to fifteen years. That differs from what industry experts and the government says. According to both federal and provincial governments Canada is a world leader on environmental issues. The University of Victoria Canada's Eco-Research Chair in Environmental Law and Policy did a study comparing the G7 and nineteen other European nations on key environmental issues. The performances of those nations were tracked over two decades to see who was improving or worsening. Canada came out a loser coming in second to last, only the United States scored lower. Canada uses 33 percent more energy per unit of gross domestic product than the United States, the report cited. In water and energy consumption, increases in nuclear and hazardous waste, higher greenhouse gas emissions, higher number of endangered species, declining fish populations, higher commercial fertilizer use, more time logged, more cars, more kilometres traveled by road and less official development assistance Canada proved to be worsening when it comes to protecting the environment according to the study. Canada has placed 27th out of 28 for sulphur oxides and 25th out of 28 for nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compound,carbon monoxide and greenhouse gas emissions. Canada did improve in reducing air pollution, improving sewage treatment, reducing municipal waste, increasing recycling, reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances and creating more protected areas. In 2000 the OECD reported that Canada was the worse among 18 high-income countries on energy efficiency noting that Canada has "a tendency to talk instead of act." In 2001 a report by the International Development Research Centre, it ranked Canada and Switzerland tied at seventh place for overall quality of life but when it came to the environment Canada was ranked 94 out of 180 nations. Greenpeace UK reported in November 2009 that Canada’s emissions rose 26.2 per cent between 1990 and 2007. The organization also cites that the mining oil from tar sands is the most damaging way to get oil out of the ground. That hasn't stopped the Canadian government from expanding the Albertan tar sands. Movie director James Cameron sides with Greenpeace when it comes to the tar sands referring to them as a "black eye" on Canada. In Toronto Mayor David Miller has gone on record citing embarrassment of the federal government's environmental record. Last December Miller was in Copenhagen the National Post reported accepting two new "Fossil of the Day" awards on behalf of Canada. "I chose to come here to tell people that Canadians are acting despite the fact that Canada isn't. They're acting through their cities. The mayor of Copenhagen and I have convened a summit of mayors here next week. We have over 100 mayors. Cities are doing incredible things. Calgary's rapid transit is all powered by wind, and Canadians themselves, are acting in their own lives as well, and so are many provinces." While the people of Canada strive to improve their environment their government's track record is lacking. Investments have to be made now so that the future will see a clean, sustainable Canada.