http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/10/18/canada.pollution.ap/index.html Canada 'among worst polluters' Tuesday, October 18, 2005; Posted: 1:14 p.m. EDT (17:14 GMT) Manage Alerts | What Is This? OTTAWA (AP) -- A new study by a leading environmental group ranks Canada among the worst polluting nations in the industrialized world, according to 29 key environmental indicators. The study, conducted at Simon Fraser University and released by the David Suzuki Foundation, rates Canada 28th among 30 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. It puts Canada dead last among the 30 countries in nuclear waste and carbon monoxide production, and 29th in per capita water consumption. European countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany ranked at the top of the environmental list, while Canada, Belgium and the United States were at the bottom. Suzuki, a geneticist and one of Canada's most respected environmentalists, said North Americans take their natural resources for granted while most European countries have dealt with environmental crises for years. He said environmental issues need to take a prominent place in the next federal election, likely early next year. The study was conducted by an independent team of multidisciplinary researchers at Simon Fraser University, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Gunton. "Our research found Canada's environmental performance to be surprisingly low," said Gunton. "Canada lags behind in almost every performance indicator." Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are two times higher, and major smog-causing air pollutants are two-to-three times higher than the average for other industrialized countries, according to the report by the international environment watchdog group. "The ability of other high-income countries, such as Sweden, to achieve much lower levels of pollution shows it can be done," Gunton said in a news release. "There's no excuse -- all it requires is a strong commitment from government." The study found Canada has shown no improvement over the last decade. Canada's rank today is the same as it was in 1992: 28th out of 30. "The Canada we see in this report does not reflect the one we hold in our hearts," said Suzuki. "Canadians expect more and they expect better," Suzuki said. "We should be outraged that we are among the worst in the industrialized world."
Yes, the US is dead last among the listed OECD countries. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/files/EnvirPerf.pdf Canada is in bad shape, but scapegoating isn't the most proactice envt. policy...
hey man ...we just follow whatever the U.S does...unless they don't get serious about reducing pollution i don't think Canada is even going to think about it...plus everything we produce ends up going to the U.S ...so we blame you guys in the end!
Well, some Canadians speak French, so I guess now we will rename Canadian Club whiskey "Freedom Club whiskey".
What's up with Belgium? Why are they so bad? And if this thread was started (by an American) to make fun of Canada, then that's pretty funny, in a sad way.
They are notorious for being the most polluted in Western Europe. Not only is it the most densely industrialized country, their specialty is chemicals - notably petrochemicals. And their other manufacturing includes rubber, metal, plastics, auto parts, pharmaceuticals. Antwerp is also a huge port (only Rotterdam is bigger over there I think) and the water there reeks to high heaven. By comparison, many people actually go fishing out of the sea canals around the city center in Stockholm.
Blame Canada Sheila: Times have changed Our kids are getting worse They won't obey their parents They just want to fart and curse! Sharon: Should we blame the government? Liane: Or blame society? Dads: Or should we blame the images on TV? Sheila: No, blame Canada Everyone: Blame Canada Sheila: With all their beady little eyes And flappin' heads so full of lies Everyone: Blame Canada Blame Canada Sheila: We need to form a full assault Everyone: It's Canada's fault! Sharon: Don't blame me For my son Stan He saw the darn cartoon And now he's off to join the Klan! Liane: And my boy Eric once Had my picture on his shelf But now when I see him he tells me to **** myself! Sheila: Well, blame Canada Everyone: Blame Canada Sheila: It seems that everything's gone wrong Since Canada came along Everyone: Blame Canada Blame Canada Copy Guy: They're not even a real country anyway Ms. McCormick: My son could've been a doctor or a lawyer, it's a-true Instead he burned up like a piggy on a barbecue Everyone: Should we blame the matches? Should we blame the fire? Or the doctors who allowed him to expire? Sheila: Heck no! Everyone: Blame Canada Blame Canada Sheila: With all their hockey hullabaloo Liane: And that b**** Anne Murray too Everyone: Blame Canada Shame on Canada Ohhh... The smut we must stop The trash we must bash Laughter and fun Must all be undone We must blame them and cause a fuss Before somebody thinks of blaming uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus
