The government of François Legault recently presented its green plan to Quebecers. We are talking about $ 6.7 billion in investment over five years which should reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 12 million tonnes.
Nevertheless, the target for 2030 remains a reduction of 29 million tonnes of GHG emissions. According to Mr. Legault, the federal government, new technologies and the carbon exchange could fill the shortfall and thus allow Quebec to achieve its objectives.
“We know, the planet is warming up. In the long run, this is very serious. We can even talk about the survival of the species, argued Prime Minister François Legault on Monday, presenting in Montreal his plan to fight against climate change. So we have a duty to the next generations, he added. To respect this moral duty, the Caquista government promises to inject $ 6.7 billion by 2026, in order to anchor the coming economic recovery with a reduction in Quebec's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is a change of direction to be given, underlined the Prime Minister, recalling that greenhouse gas emissions have increased each year in Quebec between 2014 and 2017 and that the GHG reduction target set for 2020 is completely out of reach. "
Le Devoir, November 17, 2020
Several means are therefore put forward to try to achieve the 2030 objectives:
- 8000$ subsidies for the purchase of an electric vehicle;
- initiatives for carsharing, to encourage teleworking and the densification of urban areas;
- reduce GHG emissions from heating residential, commercial and institutional buildings by 50 TP2T;
- reforestation measures;
- electrification of buses and delivery trucks;
- etc.
In the eyes of several experts, this plan, although ambitious, is insufficient to respond to the emergency of global warming that we are currently experiencing. Here are some reactions following the government's announcement:
“Without incentives to induce the necessary changes, such as eco-tax measures, the greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 - already insufficient in itself - will be difficult to achieve. "
Geneviève Paul, Director General, Quebec Center for Environmental Law (CQDE)
“Quebec on the path to a green recovery, [but] additional efforts will be necessary. "
Communiqué from the Collectif G15 +, a group of economic, union, social and environmental leaders in Quebec
“Réseau Environnement welcomes the submission of the Plan for a Green Economy (…), but considers that the measures and the funding allocated to it are insufficient. "
Press release from the Environmental Network, the largest group of environmental specialists in Quebec
For all the reactions of the different circles, you can go to the bottom of this article from La Presse.
Challenge
What do you think of this green plan? Audacious, but insufficient in your opinion? You can research the subject and then write at least two arguments to support your point of view.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
Disciplines and levels targeted
- Science and technology (lower secondary)
- Earth and Space: Climate Change
- Ethics and religious culture (2nd cycle of secondary)
- The future of humanity
Targeted dimensions of digital competence
- Developing and mobilizing information literacy
- Harnessing the potential of digital technology for learning
- Communicating via digital technology
- Producing content with digital
Suggested digital tools
- Edpuzzle
- Quiz and documentary file on the website of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
- Flipgrid
Educational intention of the guide
The following activities will allow students to form an opinion on the Québec government's green plan based, among other things, on scientific and technological principles.
Objectives of the activities
- Using a video on Edpuzzle, collect hypotheses and activate learners' prior knowledge related to climate change.
- Test your knowledge of the climate using an interactive quiz.
- Share your point of view on the Quebec government's green plan using a video on Flipgrid.
To get activity suggestions for teachers, you must subscribe to the Teacher or School version guides!
Log in