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

(Terry Poulton GSC Calgary 4702-1)

Potential impacts on prairie cities

• longer summer recreational season and shorter winter season
• increased heat stress and decreased air quality
• increased demand for air conditioning but reduced winter heating demand
• decreased need for snow removal
• invasion of new insects and diseases

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?
Nearly 60% of Albertans - almost 2 million people - live in either Calgary or Edmonton. The area around Calgary is the fastest growing region in the Prairies.

Did you know?
Near half the population of Saskatchewan lives in rural areas - there are 298 rural municipalities, 376 villages, 146 towns, and 12 cities in Saskatchewan.

Life in the country

A prairie town (NRCan photolibrary)

Potential impacts in rural areas

• increased risk of drought and dust storms
• increased demand for irrigation
• increased risk of insect infestations
• change in crop yields due changes in growing season and soil moisture
• crop production may become possible in northern regions

Dust storm near Swift Current, Saskatchewan, June 7, 1988 (J. Wittrock)

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.