The Hidden Costs of Canada’s Green Transition

Did you know that Canada’s carbon emissions per capita have been steadily decreasing since 2012? It’s a promising sign that we’re making progress in reducing our carbon footprint. But behind this shift away from fossil fuels and coal lies a hidden cost: our growing reliance on electric devices.

Canada imports large quantities of lithium components from Chile, where lithium mining has serious environmental and social consequences. In Chile’s parched salt flats, lithium mining consumes enormous amounts of water, affecting the availability and quality of freshwater for indigenous communities and wildlife. Chile has made consistent efforts to improve access to water, until 2017 – when lithium mining kickstarts its growth. Today, there are homes that need water find their resources contaminated by lithium mining.

As a trade partner of Chile’s lithium industry, Canada plays a role in these environmental issues. We must be aware of the hidden costs of our transition to a greener economy and support efforts to make lithium mining more sustainable and respectful of human rights worldwide.

Ultimately, fighting against climate change is a collaborative effort that requires us to look beyond our own borders and consider the global impacts of our actions. We must work together to ensure that our transition to a greener future is sustainable and just for all.

Sources: (1) Lithium production, 2021 (ourworldindata.org) (2) Exports and imports of goods and services, quarterly, Canada, (NAPCS 2017) (statcan.gc.ca) (3) Clean Water - Our World in Data