How Is Climate Change Impacting our True North Strong and Free?
Climate change is a rising problem that Canada is facing today. With global temperatures increasing, the northern part of Canada is being greatly impacted. Covered in mostly ice and bare lands, Northern Canada (which consists of the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut) has experienced dramatic climate changes within the last 50 years.
According to Natural Resources Canada, the western and central Canadian Artic have experienced a temperature increase from 2° C to 3°C within the last 50 years, making it one of the fastest warming rates in the world. Temperatures are rising due to the increase in greenhouse gases being emitted. Greenhouse gases are usually industrially emitted, and contribute to the heat-trapping process in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases absorb heat from the sun and emit it back to earth. The increase in these gases has increased global temperatures. Canada emits 2% of the total greenhouse gases, which is one of the highest emissions per capita for a country (Statistics Canada, 2012). Greenhouse gases emissions in Canada have raised 25% since 1990, as reported by Statistics Canada, which has led to the changes in the climate.
Northern Canada has been environmentally impacted more than any part of the country. Weather in the northern regions have become unpredictable, Natural Resources Canada says they have seen an increase in storm activity. Precipitation has increased by up to 25%, Natural Resources Canada reports, and the sea ice cover is shrinking (see table 1). There have been more sightings of sea ice break up and the ice is continuously becoming thinner as well. Artic ice thickness has also been affected, there has been a 40% decreases from the year 1961 to 2001 (Statistics Canada, 2012). Because of the melting permafrost and glaciers, sea levels have also risen. These rises have contributed to coastal flooding, causing costly damages and increased worry about the continuing melting north.
With the artic ground becoming softer, it has led to the natives concern about how their life will be greatly impacted. Traveling across the land has become riskier, which makes finding food supplies harder. Ecosystem changes due to climate change have also affected the food supply. Native animals and plants are becoming more and more scarce, as well as the fish moving further downstream. This has impacted the resident’s ability to safely secure food for their homes. The decrease in the coast line is threatening their communities as well. Melting permafrost has also undermined buildings and roads, causing costly damage. With all the problems their facing, the residents struggling to adapt to climate change.
There are a few economic benefits of the rising temperature in the North. For example, the melting of sea ice brings more navigable marine routes, which would benefit the fishing industry greatly. The easier maneuvering of marine waters will present a chance for economic growth in industries such as natural resource development, transportation and tourism, states Natural Resource Canada. Unfortunately costs for fixing roads and homes in the North would also be increased, due to the buildings and roads not being manufactured for increased temperatures. One way or another, climate change is a problem that Northern Canada is facing.