Enviro quick facts

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The following data, highlighting the interaction between humans and the environment, come from selected Environment Accounts and Statistics Division publications.

Human Activity and the Environment, 2007 and 2008

1. Canada's greenhouse gas emissions increased 25% between 1990 and 2005.
2. The amount of greenhouse gas emitted per unit of economic activity decreased by 18% from 1990 to 2005, while energy use increased by 23%.
3. The production of goods and services for export accounted for 76% of the increase in domestic industrial emissions in Canada, from 1990 to 2003.

EnviroStats, 2008

1. In 2006, almost 7 in 10 households with programmable thermostats and 46% of households without programmable thermostats lowered the temperature of their home while they slept.
2. Households with higher incomes were more likely to drink bottled water in 2006, while households with at least one member who was university educated were less likely to drink bottled water.
3. Households were either directly or indirectly responsible for almost half of Canada's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2004. Overall emissions related to households increased 13% from about 285,900 kilotonnes in 1990 to 321,700 kilotonnes in 2004.

Waste Management Industry Survey: Business and Government Sectors, 2006

1. In 2006, the waste management industry handled 35 million metric tonnes of waste. Of this total, the amount sent for disposal reached just over 27 million tonnes, while the remainder, almost 8 million tonnes, was sent for recycling or composting.
2. From 2004 to 2006, residential waste disposal increased 3% to 9.2 million tonnes and non-residential waste disposal increased 11% to 18.0 million tonnes.
3. Waste diversion through recycling and composting increased 9% from 2004 to 2006. Organic materials, such as food and yard waste, experienced the largest increase, at 32%.

Survey of Environmental Protection Expenditures, 2006

1. Businesses operating in Canada spent $8.6 billion in 2006 to protect the environment. The largest share of these expenditures was spent to deal with pollutants after they were created.
2. The oil and gas extraction industry spent more on environmental protection than any other industry, accounting for almost one-third of total expenditures. Provincially, Alberta businesses spent the most to protect the environment, once again surpassing Ontario, the largest spender up until 2002.

Households and the Environment Survey, 2007

1. More Canadian households are taking advantage of energy-saving devices, such as energy-efficient light bulbs and programmable thermostats. In 2007, 84% reported that they had at least one type of energy-saving light in their home.
2. Nationally, 30% of Canadian households reported that they always used recycled or reusable bags or containers when doing their grocery shopping. The highest proportions were in Ontario (35%) and Quebec (33%).