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Proactive disclosure Print version | The winds of change: Climate change in Prairie Provinces Life in the Prairies Nearly five million people live in Canada's Prairie Provinces, with over three million living in urban areas. People living in this region are used to changing weather conditions, from one season to another, and from year to year. With climate change, the Prairie Provinces are expected to experience warmer temperatures, changes in the distribution and amounts of rain and snow, and greater extremes in climate. Climate change will affect our economy, our environment, and many aspects of our lives. Life in the city
Potential impacts on prairie cities
How can we adapt? Improving building design and reducing transportation needs will help decrease energy demands. In the near term, increasing public/mass transit and encouraging use of hybrid and other low-emission vehicles can help reduce our transportation emissions, as well as improve air quality. Water conservation practises can help reduce the amount of water we use in our homes, schools, and at work. Planting drought-tolerant plants in yards and parks, and landscaping areas to maximize water storage are good ways to reduce the need for water in summer. Did you know? Did you know? Life in the country
Potential impacts in rural areas
Although the 1930s saw some of the worst dust storms in Canadian history, they are not a thing of the past. With improved agricultural techniques involving reduced tilling of the soil we can greatly reduce the risk of dust storms and soil loss due to wind erosion. How can we adapt? More farmers are changing agricultural practices by using conservation farming that improves soil conservation and soil moisture. Still others are adapting by irrigating crops. Converting to drought-tolerant crops, specialty crops, and animals provides other options of improving yields in a drier climate. References Herrington, R., Johnson, B., and Hunter, F., 1997: Responding to global climate change in the Prairies: in Volume III of the Canada Country Study: Climate Impacts and Adaptation; Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 75 p.
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