Canada’s Resource Development Needs Improvement in Sustainability
Sustainable resource development for a Nation like Canada is a very important issue that if not properly addressed affects Canada’s revenue to other countries, but also the everyday lives of citizens. Canada’s current methods for resource development is not sustainable and must be actively improved because Canada’s resources are finite, and current methods of resource development currently implemented negatively impact the environment. The concept for sustainable resource development is a broad one; however, the focus will be on the resources developed in Canada for in-country use and export, and the measures being taken to ensure effective continual use of the resource.
The fact that many of earth’s resource are finite is a problem that almost all industrialized countries of the world grapple to solve and work around. This fact is recognized by the Canadian government, and through the formation of Natural Resources Canada or NRCans’ establishment. The reality of the need for sustainability due to finite resources is reaffirmed since, this sector of government was founded with the intention of dealing with a “…breadth of natural resources issues and helping ensure the sustainable development of [Canada’s] natural resources for the benefit of all Canadians” (Natural Resources Canada, 2013). Two of Canada’s largest industries are logging and oil, in the form of Alberta’s tar sands. It is obvious that for the continued success of any generic logging industry, there must be a continued supply of trees. Translated to the Canadian industry, the trees being used, should be used in a way so as not to over-harvest, and should also be replenished to ensure that those being c...
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... industry that would enable sustainable development measures to be more effectively monitored and evaluated.
The issue of sustainability in the area of resource development comes down to how much Canada is willing to sacrifice to ensure that future generations will have access to the resources available now, will be able to enjoy the environment, and have the foundation of a stable economy. Even though some argue that efforts in sustainability are satisfactory, for the sake of the future, more can still be done. It is obvious, Canada’s current methods of resource development which over exploit finite resources and wreak havoc on the environment are not sustainable. Since Canada’s current methods of resource development are not sustainable sustainability must be improved to effectively mete out, Canada’s finite resources, to ensure the protection of the environment.
Nikiforuk’s article is written to argue a point and persuade the audience, non-specialist individuals, to his claim. There are many methods used to achieve this. Starting in the introduction Canada is glorified for what it used to be known for, then that image is quickly juxtaposed with the now dark and destabilized country because of the developing tar sands (Nikiforuk 211). This introduction, which uses pathos by using strong words to evoke negative e...
The Alberta Oil Sands are large deposits of bitumen in north-eastern Alberta. Discovered in 1848, the first commercial operation was in 1967 with the Great Canadian Oil Sands plant opening, and today many companies have developments there. The Alberta Oil Sand development is very controversial, as there are severe environmental impacts and effects on the local Aboriginal peoples. This essay will discuss the need for changes that can be made for the maximum economic benefit for Canada, while reducing the impact on the environment and limiting expansion, as well as securing Alberta’s future. Changes need to be made to retain the maximum economic benefits of the Alberta Oil Sands while mitigating the environmental and geopolitical impact. This will be achieved by building pipelines that will increase the economic benefits, having stricter environmental regulation and expansion limitations, and improving the Alberta Heritage Fund or starting a new fund throu...
The Alberta tar sands have the second largest oil reserves in the entire world, only smaller than Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves. This vast supply of oil has created a large interest in the extraction and then production of different types of oil in Canada. The tar sands are believed to hold around 174.5 billion barrels of oil. The estimates are across the board but if it is true, the oil industry in Canada would become its largest export and substantially boost the economy. The tar sands were producing 53% of Canada’s oil output, but by the end of this year it will be around 83%. This number could increase to 99%, if the tar sands are fully taken advantage of. The extraction of oil has already begun and covers around 602 square kilometers of land. The problem is that ...
Canada’s ability to maintain a healthy income is important, for without it, Canada’s economy would not be functional. This is where Canada’s three main exports come into play. In 2013, Canada earned 133 billion dollars in exporting Mineral products, 123 billion dollars of that coming from mineral fuels, oils, products of their distillation, bituminous substances, and mineral waxes (Ibid.). With such a booming mineral industry, Canada receives a large income from mining that can be invested in schools, jobs, public projects, and many other important areas . Also, the earnings can be devoted towards small businesses looking to expand by using government funding programs, which helps support and expand Canadian economy (Mentor Works). Overall the money is used for activities that support the Canadian economy and make numerous people’s lives better.
Canada is great economic superpower that has yet to reach its potential. As the second largest nation by area, we possess vast natural resources. We are a massive importer and exporter on the world stage, who a play a vital role in the stability of the northern hemisphere. Through Canada’s international trade, we export vast quantities of many different foods stuffs, minerals and manufactured goods like cars, while we tend to import lots of Iron, Aluminum and Steel. Our relations with neighbouring nations have been integral in the success of our trade. In 1994 Canada became a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA with the US and Mexico. NAFTA reorganized Canada’s and America’s trading systems to work as one. The trade issue of recent months is about the rising costs of energy in Canada and in the United States. Newly elected President George W. Bush now is proposing a North American energy initiative for a continental power grid. This proposal puts Canada in a very uncomfortable situation. On the one hand we would love to share our resources and appease our super-power to the south. But on the other we prefer to leave our pristine land alone. The growing trend nowadays is that politicians are the ones wanting to please the Americans by giving away our resources, while it is the activist who is concerned about the vast environmental damage this energy legislation could entail.
Now, sustainable development and quality of life are crucial to the well being of our nation. Thus, I have pondered many a year on this very important matter and have consulted a very knowing Canadian of my acquaintance at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The amount of natural resources in this country being usually reckoned infi...
Ecological theory is a theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner that states that the “systems” around you are vitally important in human development. Within the theory there are many systems including the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. Each system is defined by a different aspect of a person’s surroundings that would affect their development. The systems begin with the aspect that is closest to you, your day-to-day life. The Microsystem includes all of the places, people, and experiences that are found in your daily life. These include school, work, parents. friends, neighbors, and so forth. The next most impactful system is the exosystem. The mesosystem is defined by two entities within your microsysytem affecting each other. The next system is called the exosystem. The exosystem is full of things that don’t affect you directly but will eventually
In conclusion, even though mining is an important aspect in the Canadian economy; are all the health risks and environmental risks worth it? Some who sees the immediate rewards of mining, such as money and status may say ‘yes.” However if we continue to over mine, one day we will not have things we use every day such as electricity. This might not happen in our lifetime but the future generations will be affected. Isn’t it ironic that the Earth has given us livelihood and sustains us; we in turn abundantly and viciously take from the Earth? The effects of taking too much will kill us. As my mother says “if you take, you need to give” My way of giving will be educating my generation and my peers who are the future.
The majority of Canada’s population is centralized in Ontario and Quebec (Brander, 2014). A large share of the economic activity in these two provinces is related to manufacturing (Brander, 2014). Meanwhile, western provinces are more closely connected to resource-based industries, such as mining, energy, and forestry (Brander, 2014). Provinces within Canada manage and tax their own natural resources (Boadway, Coulombe, & Tremblay, 2013). Thus, the geography of Canada combined with the jurisdiction for natural resources poses a problem when attempting to combat the Dutch disease (Bimenyimana & Vallée, 2011). The resource boom is affecting two different parts of Canada (Bimenyimana & Vallée, 2011). Western provinces, specifically Alberta, are benefiting from the resource boom in the oil and gas industry (Bimenyimana & Vallée, 2011). Meanwhile, provinces with large manufacturing sectors, particularly Ontario and Quebec...
Peace River Country has a continental climate with a low precipitation rate that reduces the local humidity and causes the hot summer and a cold winter feeling (Churcher & Wilson, 1979, p.71). Moreover, it has a series of pollutions like notably air and water pollutions that are affected by pollutant-inducing resources in the province of Alberta. There is an abundance of petroleum and gas resources in Alberta. On the one hand, these valuable resources promote and supports the local economy and the country`s GDP; on the other hand, it damages the surrounding environment. Because the major resources in Alberta are gas and petroleum, and these kind of resources are non-renewable, and the result translates into bad air and water quality in the local region. Also, as one of the more populous provinces in Canada, Alberta maintains numerous industries and develops lots of tar sand, which is a kind of bituminous sand that is formed from oil. This toxic waste of oil sand creates more greenhouse gas emissions, e...
Sustainable operation management is a management approach that involves planning, implementation and control of business operations that translate available resources into the required product or service. It is the management of business practices, traditions and operations to promote the highest level of efficiency, smooth workflow, and increased productivity in an organization. This management strategy ensures that the available labour force and materials are changed into products or services in a cost effective way to increase the company’s returns (Corbett, 2009). It also involves production waste management, food waste reduction, creating new opportunities, environment protection, and improving customer health. Sustainable operation management in the retail industry around the world has gained momentum in the recent years, in the face of customer pressure and media interest. It is particularly linked to the concepts of corporate social responsibility and global warming (Morrison, 2013).
Participation by the public, amongst other things, is crucial to the success of the EIA process.
The United Nations recently published a list of goals they hope to accomplish by 2030 called the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals will replace the Millennium Development Goals, which were set in 2000, when they expire at the end of 2015. Some of these goals include ending poverty, promoting gender equality, and improving water and sanitation conditions. Arguably, the most important goal is to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” (in text citation- NY Times Article). Hunger was also an important goal on the MDG list, yet it was not fully accomplished (in text citation- Progress chart). The goals was to reduce hunger by half, and yet, the number of people who go to bed hungry
Oelofse. C. 2001. Sustainable Development: Theoretical and conceptual issues, LA 21 Training Programme. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Natal, Durban
There are lots of environmental issues going on globally. The earth faces problems such as pollution, global warming, waste disposal, and loss of biodiversity. These are just a small amount of issues out of the so many. These environmental problems pose an abundant amount of risk to the health of humans and animals. There needs to be a solution to all these problems and that is by informing others, so that way everyone can make the environment a better place.