Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise Members that Canada's Environment and Energy Ministers met in February and approved a national action program on climate change. This program describes the steps that federal, provincial and territorial governments are beginning to take to control the emission of gases which cause warming of the earth's atmosphere. These gases are commonly known as greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide, released during the burning of fossil fuels, is the most significant of these gases. Along with water vapour in clouds, the gases trap the sun's energy and keep the atmosphere warm. Now, human activities around the world are releasing so much of these gases that the earth's climate is beginning to change.
The national action program that Canada's Environment and Energy Ministers approved depends heavily on organizations adopting voluntary actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In the Northwest Territories, the departments of Renewable Resources, Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources and others are developing programs to encourage northerners to take the necessary voluntary actions.
Some of these actions include:
-Renewable Resources is participating in the Mackenzie Basin impact study to help understand anticipated changes to the north's climate which will result from these emissions.
-Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has completed an inventory of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by people in the Northwest Territories. They found that most of our emissions come from burning petroleum products for energy, transportation, heating and making electricity. The Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is also managing energy efficiency programs and renewable energy initiatives as well as working towards the expansion of waste heat use from diesel generators.
-The Power Corporation and the Department of Public Works started recovering waste heat from diesel generators 10 years ago.
-A new wind generator system to make electricity has been installed in Cambridge Bay and two other units are currently being tested in Igloolik.
-Private companies in the Northwest Territories are supplying solar and wind energy systems to northerners.
These are just some examples of actions that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and reduce fuel consumption. Another important benefit will be the saving of money.
Mr. Speaker, climate change is a problem that the Department of Renewable Resources takes seriously. It is a problem that we are just beginning to understand and it is a problem that will be with us for a long time. Renewable Resources will continue to work to develop a better understanding of what the impacts on the northern environment will be and will continue to work with others to control our own greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you.