Environmental Concerns in Canada

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN CANADA

General Information (CRCT Test Prep book page 47)

·  Canada must find ways to carefully manage both renewable and non-renewable resources so that the _ environment is not damaged.

·  Canada’s industry has provided for a strong economy, but factories are a source of pollution so must find ways to keep industry alive without destroying the environment

Acid Rain (CRCT Test Prep book page 47)

·  Factories and vehicles release pollutants that when combined with moisture in the atmosphere create acid rain causing many problems in the environment

A. kills plants

B. damages or kills trees

C. Pollutes lakes and rivers enough to kill fish

·  In Canada, laws have been passed to limit pollution that leads to acid rain – but 50%-70% of pollution causing acid rain blows into Canada from USA

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Pollution of the Great Lakes (CRCT Test Prep book page 50)

·  Shared between the USA and Canada, the two countries must work together to protect the lakes

·  Canadians depend on lake water for drinking and use it in Manufacturing goods

·  By the 1970’s - lakes were very polluted due to

A. Factories in both countries using them for dumping chemicals

B. High concentrations of phosphorus - chemical used in fertilizers, pesticides, toothpaste,

detergents, and explosives – this cause algal blooms which resulted in the eventual death of plant and animal life in the area of the bloom

·  The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the US and Canada signed in 1971, renewed in 2002 – goal was to restore the lakes’ environment and prevent further damage - has been very successful – lakes have made an amazingly rapid recovery

Extraction and Use of Natural Resources on the Canadian Shield (CRCT Test Prep book page 51)

·  Area rich in the most valuable mineral resources in Canada

·  Mining these minerals - messy work - damages the environment by

A. blasting and digging

B. heavy machinery compacting soil

C. dumping slag wherever it was convenient

D. spewing out pollutants that cause acid rain

E. poisoning of rivers and streams from the dumping of chemicals from the mines

·  Government has made rules about mining - reduce the amount of pollution while trying to keep the important mining industries alive and healthy

Timber Industry (CRCT Test Prep book page 52)

·  One of the most valuable industries in Canada - products are used for a variety of products

·  Forests provide an important role in the environment

A. habitat for animals

B. make oxygen

C. filter out air Pollutants

D. recreational areas for humans

·  Main concern is companies doing Clear-cutting - stripping hundreds of acres at a time reduces water quality and leads to soil erosion

·  Government and industry are working together and spending a lot of money to manage forests - planting millions of seeds and seedlings each year and protecting wildlife and habitat