BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network

Environment Canada updated results of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) initiative. Key findings at the national level are as follows:
Air quality:
Exposure to ground level ozone levels has increased in Canada 13% between 1990 and 2007. There were no significant changes in exposure to fine particulates for the period 2000-
2007.
Water quality:
The majority of rivers and lakes in Canada have fair or better water quality. Of the sites monitored, 82% rated freshwater quality as “excellent”, “good” or “fair”, and 18% rated freshwater quality as “marginal” and “poor”.
Greenhouse gases:
Canada’s 2008 greenhouse gas emissions decreased 2.1% from 2007 levels.
Protected areas (new this year):
Canada has protected 9.4% or 939,993 square kilometers of its land as of mid-2009. About 0.6% of its marine territory has been protected. There has been an increase of approximately 81% of the overall area protected since 1990.
For all of the updated information, link to the CESI indicators site here.