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Challenges in SaskatchewanThe Challenges of Reducing Emissions and Adapting to Climate Change International efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases involve the Kyoto Protocol. Canada has agreed to implement the Kyoto Protocol, thus Canadians must find ways to lower their emissions of greenhouse gases to a level 6% below what they were emitting in 1990 over the period from 2008-2012. Saskatchewan may face significant difficulties in attempting to lower our emissions to a level 6% below what we were emitting in 1990. Our economy is currently very energy intensive. Activity in many sectors of the economy would have to be cut back or considerable costs would have to be incurred to increase the efficiency with which these sectors use energy or to control emissions of greenhouse gases. The economic consequences in terms of job losses or dislocations, higher energy prices and lower tax revenues could be considerable. These consequences would be added to whatever costs Saskatchewan would also be incurring in order to understand and adapt to climate change itself. Although the challenges posed by climate change are considerable, Saskatchewan people are beginning to respond to them. These responses include innovative ways of reducing energy use, investment in new technology and more sustainable use of renewable resources such as our agricultural soils. In the past, Saskatchewan people have shown considerable ingenuity and persistence in dealing with climate. As a result, there should be optimism that current and future generations of Saskatchewan people will find solutions to successfully address the problem of climate change. |
