One-Tonne Challenge
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The One-Tonne Challenge is 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 aims to help the country reach its Kyoto Protocol emission reduction targets.
To promote this program, the government has 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!"
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.
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.
See also
External links
- Government of Canada - One-Tonne Challenge (http://climatechange.gc.ca/onetonne/english/)