A teaching atlas of Canada’s environment, economy and society
Canada emits 685 megatonnes a year. What produces them has changed.
Since 2005, emissions from electricity have fallen 57% as coal plants closed, while oil and gas rose 5% and now account for 30% of the total. Explore the official data behind these shifts, read the economics that explains them, and test your own ideas in the stats lab.
Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector, 1990–2024
Megatonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Select a sector to bring it forward.
Oil and gas and transport are the two largest sectors. Electricity emissions peaked around 2001 and have since fallen by more than half.
Environment and economy
Each module asks one question, answers it with data, explains the concept, and ends with exercises you can use in class.
- Emissions & the economyWhere do Canada's greenhouse gases come from, and which provinces emit the most per person?−10.2%total GHG, 2005–2024
- DecouplingCan the economy grow while emissions fall? The Kaya identity takes it apart.GDP ×2.1CO₂ ×1.2, 1990–2022
- Carbon pricingHow does Canada price carbon after the consumer fuel charge ended?$95/tindustrial benchmark, 2026
- ElectricityHow clean is Canada's grid, and why does it depend so much on geography?77%low-carbon power, 2025
- Air pollutionWhich pollutants have fallen since 1990, and who emits more than their share?−81%sulphur oxides since 1990
- Climate changeHow fast is Canada warming, and in which season most?+2.5 °Cwarming trend since 1948
- Green economyHow big is Canada's clean-technology sector, and are richer provinces cleaner?3%of GDP from clean tech, 2024
- Stats labTest the environmental Kuznets curve yourself with cross-country data.153countries to compare
Social conditions
Food insecurity, poverty, inequality, housing, homelessness and food banks, for a second course in social and public policy.
- Food insecurityHow many Canadians can’t reliably afford food, and who is most affected?24.0%of people food insecure, 2024
- PovertyWho lives below the official poverty line, and how much do transfers help?11.0%below the poverty line, 2024
- InequalityHow unequal are incomes, and what do taxes and transfers change?0.305after-tax Gini, 2024
- Housing affordabilityWho is in core housing need, and is the rental market easing?11.6%of households in core housing need, 2022
- HomelessnessHow many people use shelters, and why are counts so hard?119,574shelter users, 2024
- Food banksWhy have food bank visits doubled since 2019?2.17Mvisits in March 2025
- Stats lab: provincesTest how poverty, housing and food insecurity move together across provinces.13provinces and territories