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The evil in this world is not done only by those who commit it, but those who stand by and do nothing

- Albert Einstein

The scientific evidence for climate change or global warming is overwhelming. There are a number of good primers on climate science and the impacts of climate change available on the internet from organizations like Environment Canada, the Union of Concerned Scientists, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The blog Realclimate does a great job explaining the latest science. For some examples of the impact climate change is having around the world, take a look at the “climate hot map”.

With the media furor over climate change and the Kyoto Protocol, the widespread agreement over the basic science is often forgotten. Most of the uncertainty you hear about in the news is really in the details of the science (regional impacts, feedback effects) and the demographic and economic projections of future. Next time someone tells you that global warming is only a "theory", remember that gravity is also only a theory.

I have been particularly interested in the Canadian government’s lame effort to combat climate change (see my June, 2004 column). The issue may disappear from the agenda of the new Conservative-led government. Historically, Canada has played a prominent role in advancing global environmental policy, and with the lack of action from the United States, serious leadership is needed on this issue. The climate is our largest shared resource and climate change is everybody's problem

What can you do? Join the One Tonne Challenge!

As a part of Canada’s commitment to the reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, the federal government initiated the One Tonne Challenge, an innovative program asking Canadian to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emission by one tonne or roughly 20% (on average). It is for everyone who says “I’d help, if only I knew how”.

The initiative can teach you the many environmental and economic benefits of energy efficiency in the home and in the car and get you involved in the fight against climate change. Most of recommendation actions, like not idling you car, buying efficient appliances and reducing household waste, have the potential to reduce energy costs and improve local air quality while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative is obviously aimed at Canadians but the recommended actions are useful regardless of your nationality. Even if you're not Canadian, it is worth taking a look at the site.

To begin, register with the challenge, calculate your personal greenhouse gas emissions  and learn about the various ways to reduce those emissions at home, at the office and in transit. For more advice, you may also want to check out onelesstonne.ca, a terrific tool developed by the Pembina Institute.

A great way to get started is having an energy assessment conducted of your home through the federal government’s EnerGuide for Houses Program. If you undertake some of the efficiency measures recommended by the energy advisor, you could be eligible for a grant.

If you're stumped, check out my own tips. And please let me know when you sign up for the One Tonne Challenge and any actions you choose to take over time. I’ll gather the numbers and the stories and post them on the web-site to inspire others in our virtual community.

Offsetting emissions

In addition to reducing your own greenhouse gas emissions, you can encourage activities that reabsorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, like planting trees, or invest in other efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, like investing in renewable energy projects. I try to buy “offsets” each year to account for my own emission from driving and traveling. Buying carbon offsets by planting trees can be a great present for

Tree planting and the purchase of offsets is available from a growing number of organizations, including Tree Canada, American Forests and Future Forests out of the UK . You can use the emissions “calculators” on their websites to help determined how many trees you should plant or how much money you should be donated to offset your personal greenhouse gas emissions.

 Climate change

January thaw, central Ontario

Island in Yasawa group, Fiji (where saltwater intrusion from rising seas and drought limit  water supplies)

  Receding glacier, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies.

Bleached coral, Naha, Okinawa

Low water, Lake Huron (Ontario)