Climate change has become a pressing global issue. Scientists around the world have concluded that the rapid increase in our production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is causing an increase in the average temperature on the Earth's surface. GHGs are produced when fossil fuels like gasoline, coal and natural gas are burned.

As our emissions of GHGs continue to grow, temperature changes are expected to worsen causing flooding, rising seas and oceans and erratic weather patterns. Canada is one of the largest producers of GHGs per capita. This is one of the factors that led the federal government to become one of more than 100 countries to sign the Kyoto Protocol in late 2002.

Metro Vancouver's role in climate change
Metro Vancouver staff have developed a new Air Quality Management Plan that aims to:

• minimize the risk to public health from air pollution,
• improve visibility and
• minimize Greater Vancouver’s contribution to global climate change.

Along with all of its member municipalities, Metro Vancouver has joined Partners for Climate Protection (PCP). PCP is a national group whose goal is to support the sustainable development of Canadian municipalities by helping them prepare and implement local climate action plans.

Metro Vancouver and other agencies have developed the web-based Greenhouse Gas Action Guide to assist local governments in identifying straightforward and cost effective actions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.