Author: Canada. Environment Canada

Publisher: Canadian Museum of Civilization/Musee Canadien Des Civilisations

Published: 1996-01-01

Total Pages: 788

ISBN-13: 9780660163680

This is the third national report on the state of the Canadian environment, with the goal of providing timely, accurate, and accessible environmental information, integrated with socio-economic factors, to improve decision making and support progress toward sustainability. The introductory part I reviews the concepts of sustainability as an overall goal and the ecosystem approach to viewing the environment. Part II describes seven groups of Canadian ecozones, their biophysical characteristics, and the effects of human activities on those ecozones, and assesses the sustainability of the overall ecosystem. Part III integrates information on air, water, land, and biota, as well as human activities, for the country as a whole. Chapters on environmental components, human activities, and urban areas emphasize interaction within and among social, economic, and environmental elements. Data presentation by province and territory, where appropriate, complements the presentation by ecozone in part II. Part IV examines how individual and collective actions have implications on the ecosphere (global) scale, focusing on three key issues: toxic substances, biodiversity change, and atmospheric change. The concluding part summarizes findings in relation to the goal of sustainability. includes glossary.