Keyword Extreme weather

Many Canadians welcome the arrival of hot summer days as respite from our long, cold winters. Understandably, we tend to think of more summer heat as a good thing. But too much heat can be dangerous.

We often think about climate change as something abstract or remote. We hear scientists talking about melting ice caps, see images of drought in faraway places, or browse through news coverage of exotic weather disasters. But climate change is having effects right here and right now in Canada. And the risks aren’t just theoretical or abstract. The effects of climate change promise to be up close and personal, affecting the everyday lives and health of Canadians. As Jeff Eyamie of Health Canada says, “The most immediate and personal impact of climate change is the health impact.”

Canada has some of the cleanest air on the planet.[1] But the truth is, many Canadians—especially in urban centres—are finding it more difficult to breathe easy. For example, instead of fresh spring air, the first day of Toronto’s 2019 spring break arrived with an air quality warning thanks to high levels of air pollution. In 2023, waves of air pollution passed through Canada during the summer surge of wildfires - impacting the health of many residents in large Canadian cities.[2][14]

Heat waves in cities are expected to be more frequent and intense under climate change. The City of Montreal is tackling urban heat islands head-on through city greening initiatives, in collaboration with Ouranos, a climate change research consortium.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2019). Greening Montreal: Combating Urban Heat Islands. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/greening-montreal

Warmer temperatures could bring some benefits to farming in Canada, but climate change will also likely lead to new risks that farmers haven’t seen before. Anne Blondlot of Ouranos breaks down some of the key changes the agricultural community could be facing.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2019). Navigating the future of farming: How will climate change affect agriculture? Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/navigating-future-farming

Quebec’s huge territory means that its future under climate change is complex and varied. To better understand risks & responses, the provincial government created the research consortium Ouranos. Ouranos are now leaders in cutting-edge climate change research, working with many partners to address Quebec’s climate future.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2019). Quebec & Climate Change: Collaborating to confront climate change. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/quebec-climate-change

Canada’s forests are some of the largest in the world. They have enormous economic, cultural, environmental, and recreational value for Canadians of all walks of life. [1]

Toronto understands the importance of climate action. In recent years it has been hit by extreme weather that has adversely affected services, infrastructure and economic activities. The human impact of climate change is front and centre as the city works to increase its climate resilience, increase awareness about climate change, and to make urban life better.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2018). Toronto and Climate Change: Building Resilience and Cutting Emissions. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/toronto-and-climate-change

Many citizens of Thunder Bay have an important connection with Lake Superior, which will be impacted by climate change. To mitigate these effects, the local non-profit EcoSuperior and the City of Thunder Bay are encouraging active transportation, local food production, and waste reduction. Citizens are also working together to build resiliency in their neighbourhoods.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2018). Thunder Bay and Climate Change: Supporting mitigation to protect Lake Superior. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/thunder-bay-and-climate-change

After a 1-in-100 year storm flooded Truro, Nova Scotia under five feet of water, the conversation around town shifted to questions about the future. What’s clear to local residents is that climate change is bringing higher tides, stronger winds and flooding, leaving more and more people shouldering the costs and risks.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2018). Storms of the future: Shouldering the risks of climate change. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/storms-future