Issue 34
July 24, 2003

 Any Questions?

Environment Canada's knowledgeable specialists answer questions about wildlife, air pollution, water, weather, climate change and other aspects of the environment.

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In the last 25 years, droughts have made up four of the six most expensive natural disasters in Canada. These events are linked to disturbances in weather patterns that have decreased precipitation amounts, resulting in low water levels, runoff, and reduced streamflow.

However, Environment Canada's Meteorological Service is working with a team of public- and private-sector partners. To analyze this trend, they have formed the Canadian Natural Hazards Assessment Project to determine the reasons behind it and to develop methods on how to better adapt to it. Their three-year research shows a need for more than just technological advances. Researchers are warning Canadians to take steps to avoid risky behaviour such as developing land in flood plains and encouraging them to preserve natural resources that help to mitigate hazards.

For example, protecting hillside vegetation and trees will help prevent instances of landslides. Droughts, although unpredictable, can be mitigated with water conservation and forest-fire management. Precautions can be taken to reduce added greenhouse gas emissions which impact the climate by making some extreme weather events more likely.

In 2002, there were 700 natural disasters worldwide. From a global perspective that works out to be 50 more than the annual average during the 1990s. While earthquakes have remained fairly consistent for the last 50 years, the most costly natural disasters in Canada are primarily weather related, and the frequency of these events, mainly due to floods, is soaring.

Fortunately there are some disaster relief programs in place to repair the damage these events cause. The cooperation of six United Nations agencies, 200 international non-government organizations, and governments from around the world create an aid market of about US$4 billion. However, disaster aid is still lacking and does not address the underlying development problems in some areas.

For Canada, the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness works with the Emergency Measures Organizations of provincial and territorial governments to establish policies and programs to ensure strategies are in place when natural disasters strike. It provides financial assistance and also oversees civil emergencies to manage and support emergency response and recovery efforts.

Related Links:

Natural Disasters on the Rise

Canadian Natural Hazards Assessment Project (CNHAP)

Natural Hazards of Canada (.pdf format)

OCIPEP Natural Hazards of Canada Map

How Canada and international aid organizations respond to disasters

Natural Hazards