Environmental Issues of Canada “Our Neighbor to the North” © Clairmont 2011 Clairmont Press

Acid Rain in the Great Lakes  Acid rain is caused by the release of SO 2 (sulfuric acid) and NO 2 (nitrogen dioxide) into the atmosphere where it bonds with H 2 O (water) to create acid precipitation.  Acid rain is harmful to both plant life and buildings and statues.  Canada’s acid rain concern is caused mainly by U.S. industrial companies and large shipping tankers in the Great Lakes.  Canada’s forests and cities suffer because of their location and prevailing winds off of the Great Lakes. Image by Ewe Hermann on WikiMedia Commons

Deforestation  Canada has millions of acres of forests but they are being threatened by more efficient timber companies.  The growing population demands more housing which drives the demand for lumber.  Canada’s forests have become threatened and many environmentalists are demanding more government conservation.  The dilemma this creates is higher housing costs because of increased scarcity of timber created by protection. Environmentalists protesting logging near the Pacific Coast of Canada. Image by Stephen Samuel on WikiMedia Commons

Exhaustion of Minerals  The Canadian Shield is home to numerous minerals that are very valuable.  The mining companies have increased their efficiency and can mine at higher rates each year.  The fear is that Canada’s minerals will be exhausted and shipped overseas to other countries threatening the future of Canada’s economy.  The dilemma is the limits on mining will mean a loss of jobs and revenue for Canada’s economy. An Ammolite mining operation in Canada. Image on WikiMedia Commons