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Global climate is changing. Since the beginning of the century, temperatures have risen around the world by about a half a degree, while British Columbia has warmed by up to one degree in some areas. Meanwhile, precipitation on the west coast of British Columbia has increased by about 20%. Large changes have also been recorded in the Fraser River , with ten-year river flows falling to low levels in the 1940s, rising about 30% by the late 1960s and falling again through to the present day.
Climate change will have significant impacts on British Columbia and Yukon, including increased flood dangers in some areas, drought in others, and widespread disruption to forests, fisheries, and wildlife.
Sea levels are expected to rise up to 30 cm on the north coast of British Columbia and up to 50 cm on the north Yukon coast by 2050, mainly due to warmer ocean temperatures. This could cause increased sedimentation, coastal flooding, and permanent inundation of some natural ecosystems, and place low-lying homes, docks, and port facilities at risk.
Other changes that may result from climate change include:
- In winter, increased winter precipitation, permafrost degradation, and glacier retreat due to warmer temperatures may lead to landslides in unstable mountainous regions, and put fish and wildlife habitat, roads, and other built structures at risk. Increased precipitation will put greater stress on water and sewage systems, while glacier reduction could affect the flow of rivers and streams that depend on glacier water, with potential negative impacts on tourism, hydroelectric generation, fish habitat, and lifestyles.
- Spring flood damage could be more severe both on the coast and throughout the interior of British Columbia and Yukon , and existing flood protection works may no longer be adequate.
Summer droughts along the south coast and southern interior will mean decreased stream flow in those areas, putting fish survival at risk, and reducing water supplies in the dry summer season when irrigation and domestic water use is greatest.
Climate Change and YOU
The Science of Climate Change shows that, Greenhouse gases produced by the burning of fossil fuels have been linked to a warming environment and climate change. In ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, Canada agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010.
On August 12, 2003 , the Government of Canada announced the details of the investment of $1 billion towards the implementation of the Climate Change Plan for Canada . The investments are intended to act as a catalyst for, and a complement to, actions by individual Canadians; industry and business; and governments and communities.
The Federal House in Order (FHIO) initiative is the Government of Canada's plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within its own operations in line with Action Plan 2000 on Climate Change (AP2000).
Find out what you can do to reduce your GHG emissions and learn how to increase energy efficiency ( oee.nrcan.gc.ca) , save money, improve air quality and protect our environment.
Resources
• The Climate Change Calculator is an interactive software tool designed to help Canadians calculate their personal GHG emissions .
• Indicators of Climate Change
• Educational Links
• Introduction to Energy Efficiency and Climate Change
• Maps
• Scenarios
Websites
Check the following sites for additional information:
Environment Canada web sites:
Other Federal Department web sites:
The following Web sites are not under the control of Environment Canada (EC) and they are provided solely for the convenience of users. Environment Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. Environment Canada does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content. Users should be aware that information offered by non Government of Canada sites that are not subject to the Official Languages Act , and to which Environment Canada links, may be available only in the language(s) used by the sites in question.
Science Sites:
General Information Sites:
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