Canada in 2035
By: Tala Alahdab
Introduction
The current population, immigration, demographic, and FNMI situation in Canada.
Canada has a population of 35.16 million. Currently, Canada's annual intake of immigrants is 250,000. Canada is currently at stage 4 in the demographic model with a population of 35.2 million. The average life span of a male is 79.3 and females 83.6. The totally fertility rate is 1.61. The indicators tell us Canada's population has more median aged citizens than children. In the future this will affect Canada negatively. Lastly, Canada has given the First Nations an Economic Action Plan starting 2014. This confirms significant new investments to support the implementation of a First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act.
How will Canada's population, FNMI situation, and immigrants change in the year 2035?
We can predict the birth rate will become very low and most of Canada's population will come from immigration. Also, we can predict that by 2030 the death rate will begin to outnumber the birth rate. This allows us to further add that in 2035 the population will be mostly composed of an older generation. Meaning, there will be far more senior citizens than children. We can predict all this from the indicators given to us in 2014. If the population progresses to only have 1-2 children per family. These numbers will significantly effect the population. Using this data we are able to predict that there will be more job opportunities available. Making, Canada an immigration centre for youth in search of good jobs. This also indicates there will be a strong economy also making Canada a great country to live in. In the future we hope to be able to come in peace and fairness with the first nations. The 'Where the Pavement Ends' act concludes with a 12-step action plan, aimed to shape future government policy. In an effort to get these recommendations heard, Douglas & McIntyre, the publisher, has mailed complimentary copies to Aboriginal affairs bureaus across Canada. With the advent of the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Prime Minister Harper's formal apology on June 1, Canada has a tremendous opportunity to stimulate the healing process. The future promises peace and fairness for the first nations. By 2035 we can predict the first nations will contribute to the Canadian economy and more of the families living on reserves will move into large residential cities. This creates a more diverse community that is open to new ideas. This creates a peaceful, diverse, and open-minded generation which promises success for Canada as a nation.
Why does Canada have the climate it does? How will climate change alter Canada's physical environment?
Latitude affects Canada's climate due to its position on the globe. Normally, the higher the latitude the colder the area is. Canada's geographical position is above the equator meaning it tends to be very cold during winter. While land areas and the atmosphere absorb some sunlight, the majority of the sun’s radiation is absorbed by the ocean. Since Canada is surrounded by large oceans the climate tends to be very cold during winter in some provinces, and relatively cool in others. Elevation also affects Canada's climate because if land is elevated, higher in latitude, the climate will become colder. As more and more pollution is admitted into our atmosphere, we can predict that climate change will occur in the near future. Rates of climate change are associated with medium to high emission scenarios. These scenarios pose high risks of abrupt and irreversible regional scale change in the composition, structure and function of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Presently, temperatures in some countries/areas have already begun to rise to numbers that are typically not seen. Countries/areas such as Uganda, The Alps, The Northwest Passage, Washington D.C, Italy and many more! As some countries/areas have already begun experiencing global warming, there is an issue rising among ecologists. If the Earth's temperatures rise, it could alter many environments; such as Canada's. Many reports have stated that crop patterns will need to shift. Although there will be better growing conditions in northern latitudes, disruptions to normal rainfall and snowfall patterns will cause problems. Popular fish such as lake trout could be threatened by changing patterns of spring thaw and winter freeze-up.
Canada's current resources, sustainable use of resources and global connections.
How can we live sustainably, what will our most valuable resources be and how will Canada be connected to the world?
As the nation's demands grow, so do industries. This usually results in some resources becoming extinct. I envision a city that will live sustainably with no limits. There are many ways Canada can manage its resources in a sustainable way. Firstly, whenever a new resource is discovered, it becomes used very often. Resources such as, lumber, iron, and diamond. As scientists explore these different resources, they also try to estimate how much of the resource we have remaining. However, with rising demands, the resources become used up very quickly. A method to prevent this is, reasonable usage. This means that we should only use a resource at the same rate it can be restored. The biggest problem in today’s society is resources being used quicker than they are able to restore themselves. Next, resources can remain sustainable if some are substituted for others. For example, instead of a company only using iron, they could use steel as well to create a balance and not over use one resource. In my opinion, a very efficient way to keep resources sustainable is sharing them among nations. This will contribute to no wars, conflicts, arguments, and over use of one resource. An example is lumber. Lumber is scarce in many countries but in countries such as Canada it is very common. Canada could offer to share their lumber in return for money. This keeps the resource sustainable and contributes to the economy. Although there are many ways we could help to maintain resources, it is in our hands to take action before our resources become extinct. I believe our most valuable resources will become water and oil. These two resources are non-renewable. Thus, making them highly demanded and limited. Lastly, Canada will be connected to the world in a series of ways. In 2035, I believe the world will come together and realize that countries working with each other, rather than against each other will benefit everyone. This is because countries will share resources and knowledge amongst each other. Therefore, Canada will be connected to the world to help sustain our human population and needs.
Why is urban sprawl an issue in Canada?
Presently, Canadian cities are facing the issue of urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is most commonly described as the uncontrollable expansion of urban areas. Firstly, urban sprawl is an issue because it leads to a car-dependent culture. This results in more traffic and carbon emissions. These extra distributions add to the pollution of the air in cities. This contributes to its citizens becoming sick. Also, extra distribution of pollution increases global warming. Secondly, due to the development of a car-dependent culture, more citizens will become over weight/obese. Researchers have found that people living in urban car-dependent areas weigh up to six pounds more than those living in pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods. With a higher population of obese people the government will need to fund more of its income into public gyms and doctor offices. Some researchers say that after a few generations, the obese population might become too sick to be able to sustain Canada as a healthy nation. Lastly, urban sprawl is cutting into nature, leaving us with less green space and wild lands such as bogs and marshes. Bogs and marshes are being drained and paved to create more housing space and roads. We already know these actions will put valuable wildlife habitats and species at risk. Many ecologists predict we could be setting our earth up to fail because with polluted air, sick generation of humans, and sick animals without habitats only promise negative results. Thus, leaving us thinking about what we can do to control urban sprawl in the present and the future.
How can we deal with the issue of urban sprawl?
As citizens become more aware about the risk of urban sprawl, many have come up with ideas to deal with the issue. In Ontario, at the current rate, an additional 260,000 acres (1,070 km2) of rural land will be urbanized by 2021, almost double the size of the City of Toronto. About 92% of the land is Ontario's best farmland. As we progress, the government has decided to take action. Firstly, the government has created the ‘greenbelt’ where no company is authorized to build. This is to maintain some green space and prevent further urban sprawl. With the greenbelt rule in effect, it allows us to preserve nature and also create public parks. Secondly, an idea that should become effective in the future is, building houses around nearby plaza’s. These plaza’s will include grocery stores, restaurants, and possibly, community centres. The concept of this idea is to limit driving. Limited driving will make a large contribution to pollution. Pollution is estimated to drop by at least 4%. Also, it promotes walking and leaves more green space due to fewer paved roads. Lastly, citizens should become more educated about what urban sprawl is. In today’s society, social media contributes to many global issues. If urban sprawl were to become a popular opinion throughout social media, many users will become aware about the uprising issue. They will try to prevent urban sprawl from happening by cooperating with the government in order to reach a solution. Also, more advertisements should be placed on television and throughout the city to remind citizens of what is happening to their country.
Conclusion
Sites used:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/91-209-x/91-209-x2013001-eng.htm
http://thetyee.ca/Photo/2008/05/26/AboriginalFuture/
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-010-x/99-010-x2011001-eng.cfm
http://www.easybib.com/cite/pdf?url=http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/aboriginal/fnmiframework.pdf
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/canada-not-immune-to-global-warming-impact-report-1.1754414
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/reduce-your-carbon-footprint/discourage-urban-sprawl/