Short Answers
Canada has an extensive area of land covered with natural resources since many of its population live in towns. On the other hand, state and private entities in Canada have exploited and hence degraded the environment through pollution and logging. The negative impacts of environmental degradation in Canada are the leading cause of domestic extremism. Therefore the country should adopt international treaties as methods of conserving the environment.
Contemporary environmental activism in Canada
Canadian citizens recently protested against the construction of the British Columbia gas pipeline through their tribal land. Wet’suwet’ en Nation group members claimed that the TransCanada Corporation ignored seeking permission from their tribal leader before commencing the construction of a gas pipeline.
Effectiveness of the groups
Wet’s suwet’ en Nation group members successfully stopped the TransCanada Corporation from building the gas pipeline through their tribal land. Therefore, the group was effective in achieving their environmental activism goal.
Reason for the effectiveness of the group
Firstly, the success of the group’s activity resulted from the support of a large group of people from other cities in Canada. Moreover, Wet’s suwet’ en Nation leaders who were the plaintiff during the Supreme Court hearing claimed that the defendant denied them the right to protection. Hence, the court issued an injunction stopping the company from proceeding with its gas pipeline construction.
Contemporary role of Canada’s water in international affairs
Canada and the United States planned to review their treaty regarding the flow of river Columbia which benefits both countries. Additionally, both countries have signed agreements to enable cooperation on their bilateral fishing water resources and to govern their high seas water. Therefore, water resources originating from Canada and those between its borders with the United States have played a role in ensuring the countries signed bilateral treaties.
Contemporary degradation of the environment in the Antarctic
Human activities such as drilling conducted by scientists have a negative impact of polluting underground water systems in the Antarctic. Furthermore, tourists pollute the South Pole with plastic and ship exhaust smoke, which has led to the loss of biodiversity in the region.
Comparison of the degradation in the Antarctic to Canada’s impact on its North
Similarly, environmental degradation in northern Canada has resulted from the drilling of petroleum and pollution from machinery. Moreover, tourists to north Canada’s long coastline pollute the region with plastic and exhaust smoke from their means of transport, which has led to the loss of biodiversity in the area.
The net benefit of recycling
Recycling had net benefit when China and Japan used to import wastes from Canada. For instance, Que, a recycling company based in Cowansville, generated revenue from sorting the waste for export. Else ways, China and Japan, reconverted the trash to useful products for sales hence qualifying recycling as net beneficial.
Where it is not net beneficial
Canadian recycling industry incurred massive cost of hauling waste to the landfills, which makes recycling least beneficial and inconveniencing since only a small amount of the trash is recyclable.
Environmental movements outside of North America
The first example was All Assam youth and student unions who conducted protests against the Indian government’s decision to approve coal mining within a sanctuary.
Similarity and Differences to the North American movements
North America Wet’s suwet’ en Nation environmental movement was similar to India’s All Assam student movement since they were both successful. Else ways, the difference was that high court resolved India’s environmental movement, and the Supreme Court resolved the North American environmental movement.
Conclusion
Environmental activism in Canada has been effective in averting environmental degradation activities spearheaded by private and state institutions. Additionally, bilateral treaties between Canada and the United States have effectively enabled the management of shared natural resources between the two countries, reducing environmental degradation.