The Effects Of Climate Change On Canada - 1398 Words

An unfathomable number of planets, but only one Earth; one us. COâ‚‚ is a naturally occurring gas, however, emissions in Canada have continually risen, from 591 megatons (Mt) in 1990 to a full 18% increase to 699 Mt by 2012 (Environmental Canada). The dramatic rise in existing levels is directly connected to human-related activities, with roughly 80% due to the burning of fossil fuels (Canada’s Action on Climate Change). When split into five equal quintiles according to income, the estimated emission production for the top quintile is around 20% over the calculated average of all five quintiles (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives [CCPA]). As well, it has been calculated that when analyzing gender, men contribute considerably larger†¦show more content†¦Many of Barbara Kingsolver’s characters in her novel Flight Behavior, are living within these limits. Dellarobia, for example, is a small town woman who would be classified under the first or second qu intile. During a conversation about using less fossil fuel, with educated urbanite, Leighton Atkins, it becomes apparent that she cannot afford to enlarge her carbon foot print: â€Å"‘Okay, this is the last one,’ he said. ‘Fly less.’ ‘Fly less,’ she repeated.† (Barbara Kingsolver 329). Dellarobia, having never flown before, is relatively cynical when such is suggested. Many in situations like Dellarobia’s are restricted in ways to produce greenhouse gas, while those in the higher income quintiles are not. Jeremy, a retired climatologist in the short story, In-flight Entertainment, says: ‘We need heat and light and food for survival,’ continued Jeremy. ‘We don’t need to fly. But nobody’s going to give up flying, because it’s the biggest perk of modern life - so cheap and fast and easy... It’s us rich ones that jet around the globe guzzling untaxed kerosene and ploughing up the stra tosphere like there’s no tomorrow.’ (Simpson 16) He exemplifies the higher carbon foot print of the rich and the need for more wealthy people to recognize the issues surrounding climate change, while being conscious of their action’s effects on the planets well-being. Sex refers to biological differences between males and females, where as gender is what