Canada has plans to become one of the world leaders in greenhouse gas emission limitation. The plan they have in the making will be comparable to those implemented in Germany and California and will top out at over $7 million to become active. The implication of these ideas will begin with over 80 policies geared mainly towards building codes and transportation. Ontario residents may want to start preparing for back to basics approach to transportation, such as bikes. Modern electric cars are also a favorite idea of those working on the policy.
Homes will need to be more energy efficient, and building codes will have limitations by the year 2030 all new homes will be expected to run without the use of fossil fuels. It is hard to say if these tactics will hold up. Canada, as a whole, is still residing far from its 2020 goal of reaching 17% below the emissions numbers of 2005. With the new plan, the numbers state that the province of Ontario alone is aiming to be at 15% under the 1990 levels by 2020, and 30% by 2030. The region has gone so far as to state and 80% below 1990 rate by the year 2050.
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Quitting the use of fossil fuels is a task not always easily accomplished. Clean electricity would have to be implemented. Ontario, unfortunately, has the highest electricity rates on the continent. This may make the electric car idea unfeasible. The need to heat homes in the cold weather will also be an expense that homeowners will not cooperate with. Natural gas is a popular and affordable home energy option. These costs will ultimately be passed on to individual consumers who may resist the expensive change. A portion of the monetary support will come from a Green Bank. This will come in the way of 3.8 billion dollars in subsidies aimed at providing solar and geothermal systems.
Money has been set aside to work on significant structural changes. These include infrastructure changes to make biking more convenient, as well as subsidies for fossil fuel companies, and a rail transport system. This plan must move forward at a productive rate.
The plan has not been finalized, and many complications are still being taken into consideration. As with many big changes, there will be monetary incentives for many who agree to take on the challenge and be a part of the solution.