Calgary leads world in GHG emissions

subscribe

Calgary is one of the top producers of carbon dioxide in the world.

A new United Nations report looks at 50 cities and says Calgary ranks amongst the top five when it comes to carbon dioxide per person.

The report was presented at the fifth annual World Urban Forum which took place in Brazil.

Alderman Brian Pincott says the poor results shouldnt come as a surprise. Its the fact that we rely on coalfired electricity its the fact that we are an urban sprawl city where driving everywhere it what we do its the kind of city that weve built.

The city says Calgary is trying to set an example, for Calgarians and communities, by reducing its carbon footprint.

Right now, the LRT is 100 percent wind powered. Were on track by 2012 to have 100 percent green energy producing for the City of Calgary operations so that puts us far ahead of our [Kyoto] targets, says Rick Ciezki.

I dont think the majority of Calgarians realize that over 80 percent of our electricity is generated from fossil fuels, in the province, and how easy it is to choose something else like renewable energy and reduce your impact, says Theresa Howland from Bull Frog Power.

Bib Patel says he is doing his part to help reduce his carbon footprint by switching to wind power for his home. There is the ability to have, or to make, a better impact on this world, says Patel.

Of the 50 cities looked at in the UN report, only Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Denver and Rotterdam produced more greenhouse gases than Calgary.

Vancouver and Toronto were the other two Canadian cities included in the report. Vancouver produces 4.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita Calgary produces 17.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita.

Related News

california wild fire

California Utility Cuts Power to Massive Areas in Northern, Central California

LOS ANGELES - California utility Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) has cut off power supply to hundreds of thousands of residents in Northern and Central California as a precaution to possible breakout of wildfires.

PG&E confirmed that about 513,000 customers in many counties in Northern California, including Napa, Sierra, Sonoma and Yuba, were affected in the first phase of Public Safety Power Shutoff, a preemptive measure it took to prevent wildfires believed likely to be triggered by strong, dry winds.

The utility said the decision to shut off power was "based on forecasts of dry, hot and windy weather including potential…

READ MORE
europe oil companies go electric

Europe’s Big Oil Companies Are Turning Electric

READ MORE

tidal power

Is tidal energy the surge remote coastal communities need?

READ MORE

Overturning statewide vote, Maine court energizes Hydro-Quebec's bid to export power

READ MORE

social media blogger

More people are climbing dangerous hydro dams and towers in search of 'social media glory,' utility says

READ MORE