One-Tonne Challenge

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One Tonne Challenge Logo

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The One-Tonne Challenge was a challenge presented by the Government of Canada in March 2004 for Canadians to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne each year. The figure represents 20% of total greenhouse gas output by Canadians and aimed to help the country reach its Kyoto Protocol emission reduction targets. The Liberal Government under Jean Chretien and Paul Martin approved over $45 million dollars to fund the program from 2003 to 2006.^[1]

To promote this program, the government had placed television and print ads featuring comedian Rick Mercer. In one commercial, he describes Canadians as wanting to take the challenge. "C’mon... we’re Canadian... we’re up for a challenge!"

A magnet with a temperature indictator given to high school students as promotional giveaways.

The government urges Canadians to do such things as:

Take public transit more often.
Idle vehicles less.
Use programmable thermostats.
Seal windows with caulking and weather-stripping.
Compost organic kitchen waste.
Support green energy.
Water and energy conservation.
Purchase electronics that are labelled with Energy Star logo.
Recycling.

The program has received a lukewarm reception from the public, having been criticized as ineffective and wasteful. It has been mocked in a This Hour Has 22 Minutes skit.

This program was started by Liberal Party of Canada. However, as of the election of Stephen Harper's Conservative Government, the One Tonne Challenge had been scrapped. An alternative online version produced by the Pembina Institute can be found at One Tonne Challenge

1 Climate Change Education Action Program
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Climate Change Education Action Program

Matthew Cutler, Scouts Canada Board Director, speaks at the press conference to launch the CCEAP and One-Tonne Challenge.

The One-Tonne Challenge was announced at a joint press conference with Scouts Canada who, in partnership with the Delphi Group, Alcan and Nexen launched their Climate Change Education Action Program (CCEAP). The project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Climate Change Action Fund.

An award winning program (2006 Canadian Environmental Awards [1], 2005 Imagine Canada Partnership Award[2]), the CCEAP is a program designed to increase both awareness and youth involvement in combating the world-wide problem of global warming. It includes climate change awareness activities for youth and parents, ideas on how to reduce household greenhouse gas emissions and instructions on how to conduct an energy audit. To complement its current environmental programming, Scouts Canada leaders are encouraged to work with youth on the activities during their regular weekly section meetings.