Environmental Quality Improving in Canada
Contact:
Laura Jones, Director of Environmental Studies
The Fraser Institute, (604) 714-4547, Email: lauraj@fraserinstitute.caRelease Date: 20 April 1998
Vancouver, BC>>> The Fraser Institute released today the update of a study that shatters the perception that environmental quality is deteriorating in Canada.
Environmental Indicators 1998 shows that in most instances objectives for protecting human health and the environment are being met, pollution and wastes are being controlled, and resources and land are being sustained and managed effectively.
The 70-page study, developed in conjunction with the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy of San Francisco, includes a composite index which demonstrates that environmental performance in both the U.S. and Canada is improving, not deteriorating.
"There have been dramatic improvements in environmental quality since the first Earth Day was held in 1970," said Laura Jones, co-author of the report and Director of Environmental Studies at the Fraser Institute. "The public, however, continues to believe that environmental quality is deteriorating rapidly. This false perception is harmful to the environment because it prevents people from focusing resources on the most serious environmental problems. Alarmism is never a sound basis for public policy."
State of the Environment: Things are Improving
Environmental Indicators 1998 attempts to separate the facts from alarmist misinformation and bring balance to the environmental debate. These indicators are designed to help the public assess more accurately the state of the environment in several key areas: air quality, water quality, natural resources, land use and condition, solid wastes, energy, pesticides, toxic releases, and wildlife. The study shows that:
- Overall, environmental quality improved 10.8 percent in Canada and 18.6 percent in the United States relative to conditions in 1980.
- Air pollution from sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulates, and lead has decreased considerably in Canada and the United States.
- The ambient level of sulphur dioxide decreased by 61.5 percent in Canada and 60.7 percent in the United States between 1975 and 1995.
- Ambient lead concentration fell 99.9 percent in both Canada and the United States between 1976 and 1994.
- In 1994, over 90 percent of the lakes tested in the United States supported overall use.
- In 1995, Alberta and Saskatchewan met their water quality goals over 90 percent of the time; British Columbia and New Brunswick met their goals over 80 percent of the time; and Manitoba met its goals over 70 percent of the time.
- DDE concentrations have fallen over 75 percent in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, over 80 percent in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and 90 percent in Lake Huron since 1977.
- Forests are increasing as growth exceeds the harvesting of trees in Canada and the United States.
- The amount of land set aside for parks, wilderness, and wildlife is increasing in both countries.
- The amount of toxic chemicals exposed to the environment is decreasing.
- Critical wetland habitat is not declining.
Public Opinion and the Environment
There are three ways in which the public comes to form its opinions about the environment. First, because the environment ranks low on the list of public concerns, environmental issues and policy tend to be driven by the most highly motivated interest groups, typically environmental organizations. A feature series on environmental issues in the New York Times observed that environmental organizations might be "in danger of becoming the green equivalent of the military lobby, more interested in sowing fear and protecting wasteful programs than in devising a new course". Other critics have described some environmentalists as "crisis entrepreneurs."
Second, news about positive environmental progress is down-played. And finally, public perception of environmental quality is driven by what economists call "the wealth effect." Several studies have shown a positive correlation between rising incomes and demand for environmental quality. As people become more affluent, their tolerance for risk of all kinds diminishes. This helps explain some of the reason why citizens of wealthy nations believe their environment is getting worse even as the data show it is getting better.
Objectives of the Study
Environmental Indicators 1998 is designed to give Canadians an overview of national environmental quality in Canada and the United States. Most of the data in this report come from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Environmental Data Compendium. Where OECD survey results were unavailable, data were supplemented by information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environment Canada, or other official government sources.
Established in 1974, The Fraser Institute is an independent public policy organization based in Vancouver.
For further information:
Suzanne Walters, Director of Communications,
The Fraser Institute, (604) 714-4582,
Email suzannew@fraserinstitute.ca
info@fraserinstitute.ca
4th Floor, 1770 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6J 3G7
Tel: (604) 688-0221 Fax: (604) 688-8539 Book Orders: 1-800-665-3558 ext. 580
You can contact us at the above email address for any comments or information requests. Please report any dead links or technical problems.