Canada is heating up — literally. What else is changing with a warming climate?
Water levels, endangered species, temperatures. Higher numbers aren't always good.
So, Canada...: Canadian writers, musicians, educators, poets and leaders riff on big and little topics inspired by our anthem's lyrics.
By 2100, even if the world's temperature increases by only 2°C, Canada's will increase by 4°C.
Agriculture, habitats and landscapes are changing. Beavers are plugging up fishing creeks in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. and lakes in the Northwest Territories have doubled in size. B.C. fruit crops are spreading north, trees are disappearing from the prairies and water has claimed one square kilometre of Lennox Island, P.E.I.
By 2081, Canada might have as many as three extra weeks of summery weather.
By the end of the 21st century, twice as much land in Canada will be burned by forest fires each year. Between 2005 and 2015, the annual average was 2.4 million hectares. By 2100, that could mean approximately 5 million hectares per year will be burned by forest fire.
751 animal species are currently at risk of extinction, in part due to climate change, including the Atlantic walrus, the kangaroo rat and Harris' sparrow.
Sources:
- The State of Canada's Forests: Annual Report 2016. Natural Resources Canada
- Beavers move toward Arctic coastline, mess with Inuvialuit fishing spots
- Broad-scale lake expansion and flooding inundates essential wood bison habitat. Nature Communications
- California dreaming?: How climate change could remake B.C.'s agricultural industry
- NASA says Canada in 'hot spot' of ecological change
- Facing the Change: 50% of Lennox Island, P.E.I., could be underwater in 50 years
- Climate change means more 'mild days' ahead for Canada, study suggests
- Species at Risk Public Registry
Infographic designed by Emma Segal.
Next in So, Canada...: Natan Obed's take on "true north strong and free:"