NEW AI helping to identify undiagnosed genetic disorders in children
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.
Canada's latest greenhouse-gas emissions report shows the country making progress toward meeting its next target in 2030, but there is still a very long way to go.
The 2022 report published Thursday shows that across the board, Canada produced 708 million tonnes of greenhouse gases that year.
That is 53 million tonnes lower than in 2005, or about one-sixth of what has to be cut to hit the 2030 goal. Canada's latest pledge under the Paris climate accord is to cut emissions to 40 to 45 per cent less than they were in 2005 by 2030.
"Emissions are at their lowest they've been in 25 years with the exception of 2020 and 2021 during COVID," said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
One million tonnes is about what 240,000 gas-powered passenger vehicles emit over the course of a year.
From 2022, Canada needs to eliminate more than 251 million tonnes to meet its 2030 target.
Major economic disruptions due to the pandemic saw emissions plummet, particularly in 2020 as planes were grounded, cruise ships moored, and individuals all over the world confined to their homes to try and limit the spread of the virus.
Guilbeault said it was expected that emissions would be higher in 2022 than during the COVID-19 years because people resumed more normal daily routines. But the increase of nine million tonnes between 2021 and 2022 was lower than forecast by either the government (13 million tonnes) or the Canadian Climate Institute (14.2 million tonnes).
Canada's 2022 emissions were about six per cent lower than they were in 2019, the last full year before COVID-19.
The report also shows the economic rebound post-COVID was far bigger than emissions growth, a sign Canada's economy is no longer relying on fossil fuels as heavily for economic growth, Guilbeault said.
Stewart Elgie, the associate director of the University of Ottawa’s Institute of the Environment, said the sharp reduction since 2019 is significant because that's the year the national carbon price began.
He said modeling by the government and the Canadian Climate Institute attribute between one-third and one-half of total emissions cuts to carbon pricing.
A recent analysis by the climate institute said about four-fifths of emissions cuts due to carbon pricing are because of the price being applied to heavy industry, while only one-fifth is attributed to the price on pollution paid by consumers.
The oil and gas sector contributed almost one-third of Canada's emissions in 2022, and transportation contributed about one-fifth. Emissions from the oilsands in Alberta were almost 2.5 times higher in 2022 than in 2005, and contributed 12 per cent of Canada's total.
Emissions from both conventional oil production and natural gas production fell about 20 per cent each in that same time period.
The emissions intensity of the oil and gas sector improved across the board. In 2005, producing one barrel of oil created 75 kilograms of carbon dioxide and its equivalents. In 2005 it was 61 kilograms.
Transportation emissions in 2022 fell back to 156 million tonnes, the same level as 2005, after hitting a high of 170 million tonnes in 2019. Almost 60 per cent of that is from passenger vehicles.
Emissions from passenger vehicles were five per cent lower in 2022 than in 2005, despite a 27 per cent increase in the number of vehicles on the road. That's largely because vehicles themselves are more efficient and the number of kilometres people drive has fallen slightly.
Electricity, however, remains by far the biggest climate success story in Canada, with total emissions 60 per cent lower in 2022 than in 2005. That is due largely to Canada's transition away from coal and natural gas as a power source.
In 2005, electricity contributed more than 15 per cent of Canada's total emissions, while in 2022 it was less than seven per cent.
By comparison in 2005 oil and gas contributed 26 per cent of Canada's total, compared with 31 per cent in 2022.
The other major contributors to Canada emissions are agriculture (10 per cent), heavy industry including mining (11 per cent) and buildings (13 per cent).
Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada mainly include carbon dioxide (78 per cent), methane (17 per cent), and nitrous oxide (four per cent).
Methane emissions showed particular improvement as regulations forced oil and gas companies to reduce the amount of methane that leaks or is purposely released from their operations.
This year's report adjusted the emissions totals from Canada based on updated findings from the United Nations climate change office that methane, one of the main greenhouse gases, has an even greater impact on global warming than was previously thought.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2024.
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
Toronto has been awarded the WNBA's first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026.
Diminished but not deterred, Hamas is still putting up a fight after seven brutal months of war with Israel, regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
Canada's dental care plan is 'getting there' Health Minister Mark Holland said Wednesday defending the program's rollout that's now seen two million seniors sign up, but just 10,000 oral health providers enrolled to treat them.
A new survey found a majority of Canadian respondents plan to stay within the country on their next trip amidst high costs of living.
When Jujhar Mann said he wanted to be a pastry chef on a grade school career project, he didn't imagine that pursuing his dream would land him on a popular Netflix baking competition.
A city known for its history, ties to outer space and southern barbecue, is also home to a Winnipeg chef dishing out dozens of perogies.
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.
Flashes of purple darting across the sky mixed with the serenading sound of songs will be noticed more with spring in full force in Manitoba.
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.