Keyword Sea level rise

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

After a series of stronger-than-normal storms knocked out their main breakwater, the small town of Ferryland Newfoundland was left with no choice but to heavily invest in shoreline protection. Now, members of the community are left wondering whether the rising costs of living by the sea are sustainable for future generations.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2018). Ferryland, Newfoundland: Small towns vs sea level rise. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/ferryland-newfoundland

Indian Island First Nation is on a peninsula surrounded by water. Through a combination of traditional knowledge and scientific studies, it became clear to Chief Ken Barlow that his community would be underwater by 2100. Barlow and his community are in a race against time to protect homes, raise roads, and potentially even relocate the graves of their ancestors.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2018). Indian Island, New Brunswick: Adapting to sea level rise. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/indian-island-new-brunswick

Prince Edward Island is slowly disappearing into the ocean, in large part due to climate-change-related sea level rise and powerful storm surges which are increasing erosion of the island’s soft sandstone base. Tides have become noticeably different and have destroyed infrastructure including lighthouses, bridges, wharfs, streets, boardwalks, water wells, and sewer lines. As one resident remarks, “climate change is here and, if anyone doesn’t believe it, just get up and look out the window”.   Recommended Video Citation Climate Atlas of Canada. (2018). Prince Edward Island: Life on a shrinking island. Prairie Climate Centre. https://climateatlas.ca/video/prince-edward-island