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Despite overall progress, much of which has occurred since 2009, all is not well with the Environment in Saskatchewan. Up to 2014, rising greenhouse gas emissions and increasing levels of ozone due in large part to a booming energy sector are not being offset by more efficient industrial processes, a growing service-based economy, and increased emphasis on cleaner energy sources. Residential energy use is down, but below rates seen in other parts of the country. In Saskatoon between 2010 and 2014, the average ecological footprint rose by 1.4% and was over 5% higher than Canada overall in the same time period. Ultimately, the choices we make to protect, manage, and try to restore the environment will dictate not only the state of our lands and waters, but our present and future wellbeing as Canadians.
Like other countries around the world, growing populations make increasingly greater demands for our natural capital, such as the diverse energy resources in Saskatchewan, so it is critical that individuals, industry, and government leaders assess not only the benefits, but the consequences of the pressures being placed on the environment. We must continue to explore ways to ensure that gains in the economy do not come at the expense of the environment. Our wellbeing depends on bold individual and collective action to reverse the negative trends. |
An important pathway to better decisions with respect to the environment is access to valid and reliable data. Having more accessible and relevant data on many indicators comprising the Environment domain – at both the national and provincial levels – would allow us to make observations about overall trends in Saskatchewan with more confidence. The indicators used by the CIW speak to larger issues concerning the environment that are nevertheless relevant to the provinces and allow for pan-Canadian comparisons, but they may be less sensitive to issues and challenges felt at more regional levels. In Saskatchewan, suggestions have been made to include locally relevant indicators such as: implications of climate change; levels of acid rain; distribution and accessibility of intra-provincial transportation; disaster assistance; number and breadth of boil water advisories; levels of toxic contamination; and biodiversity.
With better and more relevant data sources, our understanding of how changes in the environment affects our wellbeing becomes clearer. As our understanding deepens, we are in a better position to make better decisions on policy and strategic directions. Most critically, the challenges associated with climate change demand quality data to ensure informed leadership by government, industry, and individuals on the environment. Page 89-90 of the report. |
