Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Windsor

Extreme heat and water shortages predicted for Canada

Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

ECCC released its first major report called Canada’s Changing Climate Report (CCCR) on Monday, which assessed the state of the climate in the country, focusing on how Canada’s climate has changed, why, and what changes are projected for the future. The report showed the effects of widespread warming are evident in many parts of Canada and are projected to intensify in the future.

"In Canada, these effects include more extreme heat, less extreme cold, longer growing seasons, shorter snow and ice cover seasons, earlier spring peak streamflow, thinning glaciers, thawing permafrost, and rising sea level," the report read. "Because some further warming is unavoidable, these trends will continue."

The report showed Canada’s annual average temperature over land has warmed by an estimated 1.7 C over the past 70 years with the annual average temperature over northern Canada increasing by 2.3 C.

"In the future, a warmer climate will intensify some weather extremes," ECCC said in its report. "Extreme hot temperatures will become more frequent and more intense. This will increase the severity of heatwaves, and contribute to increased drought and wildfire risks."

Federal scientists and report authors added it is likely that more than half of the warming in Canada is due to human activities. Canada-wide annual average temperatures are projected to increase from 1.8 C to 6.3 C between 2081–2100 unless carbon emissions are deeply reduced quickly.

Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)Canada is warming up about twice as fast as the rest of the world. Apr 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada)

The report also showed that annual and winter precipitation is projected to increase everywhere in Canada over the 21st century but reductions in summer rainfall are projected for parts of southern Canada by late this century. As well, the authors said there will be an increased risk of water shortages in summer because of warmer winters and earlier snowmelt. They added that warmer summers will increase evaporation of surface water and contribute to reduced summer water availability in the future.

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