'Something's changed': Summer 2023 is screaming climate change, scientists say
Floods, drought, fires, smoke and warm waters lapping three coasts
"Canadians?" joked the host. "I thought you'd smell more like smoke."
It's been that kind of season. Floods, drought, warm waters lapping three coasts — but mostly wildfire smoke from sea to sea and overseas. Yes, this is climate change, scientists say, and expect more weather weirdness to come.
"It's been a wild ride," said Danny Blair, co-director of the Prairie Climate Centre at the University of Winnipeg. "It's been a season and a year of extremes."
Drought is one example. Canada's a big place and it's always dry somewhere, but not like this.
Agriculture Canada's June 30 drought map shows most of the country was abnormally dry. Large stretches of the Prairies were under at least a moderate drought, pushing to extreme in southern Alberta.
In British Columbia, once the "wet coast," 28 out of 34 river basins were at the province's top two drought levels. Ranchers were selling cattle that they couldn't grow enough hay to feed, and low streamflows were threatening salmon runs.
And it's been hot. Although the east was generally normal, the west wasn't.
From May through July, Kelowna, B.C., experienced 36 days of weather more than 30 C. The normal count is 16. Norman Wells, not far from the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territories, set a new record of 38 C on July 8.
Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips toted up the number of warm temperature records set this summer versus the number of cold records.
"If the climate was balanced, you'd have as many cold records as warm records," he said.
Nope. There were 372 new hot-temperature marks and 55 cold ones.
Fires and floods
Nor is the heat restricted to the land. Phillips said waters off all three Canadian coasts have never been warmer.
Hudson Bay is up to 3 C warmer. The Pacific coast is between 2 C and 4 C warmer. Both the Atlantic and Arctic coasts are up 5 C from average.
Then there were the floods — "so many floods," said Phillips.
On July 21, Halifax got three months worth of rain in 24 hours. Four people died in the floods, up to 600 had to evacuate their homes, and power cuts affected 80,000. Roads washed away and at least seven bridges were left needing major repair or replacement.
From
left: 6-year-old Colton Sisco, 6-year-old Natalie Harnish, 52-year-old
Nick Holland and 14-year-old Terri-Lynn Keddy died during historic
flooding that devastated Nova Scotia in July 2023. (Arbor Memorial/Ronald A. Walker Funeral Homes, Abraham Zebian/Facebook)
There were also fires that spread smoke across the continent and into Europe, where "Canadian wildfires" made headlines from the New York Times to Germany's nightly news.
With more than 13 million blackened hectares, it has been the worst wildfire season in North American history. All 13 provinces and territories have been affected, often at the same time.
Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes, hundreds of houses were destroyed and four firefighters have been killed.
Over the years, cities such as Calgary and Edmonton have grown used to "smoke days."
This year, that unhappy club grew to include Ottawa (171 smoke hours), Montreal (100 smoke hours) and Toronto, which, on June 30, had the second-worst air quality in the world.
Wikipedia already has an entry for "2023 Canadian Wildfires." The fire season is barely half over.
It's not just a year of particularly wild natural variability, Blair said.
"Canada experiences a remarkable amount of variability from year to year," he said. "It's not unusual for us to have dry weather or hot weather.
"But the frequency of it and the severity of it and the coinciding of it with enormous extremes of weather in the U.S. and across the world is suggesting to a lot of people that something's changed."
'Way outside the line of natural variability'
World Weather Attribution, a group in the United Kingdom that estimates the contribution of climate change to individual weather events, has already said the U.S. and European heat waves this summer would have been "virtually impossible" without it. Its analysis of Canada's wildfires is expected later this fall.
"I have no doubt the conclusion is going to be that these events are way outside the line of natural variability," Blair said.
"This is screaming climate change. It's the very thing we've been talking about for years."
The
Lower East Adams Lake wildfire scorches the earth just above homes and
businesses on Aug. 2, 2023. At least 20 people in the community defied
evacuation orders to defend their property. (Michelle Bazina)
Get used to it, at least for the next few months.
"Our models for August are showing no areas of Canada that are cooler than normal," said Phillips.
If cooler is what you want, you'll have to go to the east coast of Baffin Island. Everywhere else is showing at least normal heat, which is expected to stick around.
It'll last well into September, for better or worse, Phillips said.
"What you see is what you're going to continue to get."
David Amos
Anybody notice the volcanoes that have erupted lately? They have a bad habit of cooling things off rather abruptly
Tom Paine
Reply to David Amos
No I haven't. Can you refer me to some sources?
David Amos
Reply to Tom Paine
One of Russia's most active volcanoes just erupted and covered villages in piles of ash
Eruption sends ash cloud 20 kilometres into sky, spreading thick dust over 100,000 square kilometres
Thomson Reuters · Posted: Apr 11, 2023 3:05 PM ADT
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Tom Paine
Unfortunately, the cooling is temporary.
David Amos
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Have you ever heard of Krakatoa?
Tom Paine
Reply to David Amos
Thank you.
David Amos
Reply to Tom Paine
Hawaii's second largest volcano erupts on Big Island United States Geological Survey officials have reported Hawaii's Kilauea volcano started erupting on Wednesday, after three months of no volcanic activity.
David Amos
Reply to Tom Paine
Alaska volcano's week-long eruption eases after spewing another massive ash cloud
An ash cloud with a height of nearly 9 kilometres prompted a warning to pilots
The Associated Press · Posted: Jul 18, 2023 10:21 PM ADT
Bill Gardiner
Reply to David Amos
Yup, and you have zero evidence it has anything to do with climate change.
David Amos
Reply to Bill Gardiner
The world-famous Krakatoa Volcano erupted today in Indonesia; the volcano is known for significantly impacting global climate after it erupted in 1883. Scientists are monitoring the volcano, warning locals
to stay away should a larger eruption occur.Feb 4, 2022
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Tourists in Iceland warned to avoid volcanic eruption
3rd time in 2 years the Fagradalsfjall volcano has erupted
CBC News · Posted: Jul 11, 2023 11:23 AM ADT
Bill Gardiner
Reply to David Amos
It impacted global weather.
David Amos
Reply to Bill Gardiner
What would happen if the Yellowstone supervolcano exploded?
Vast amounts of ash and massive climate disruption would be a global disaster
CBC Radio · Posted: Mar 29, 2019 5:05 PM ADT
Bill Gardiner
Reply to David Amos
Yes.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Do you really thinks JT's beloved Carbon Tax Is gonna stop Mother Nature from doing her thing?
This supervolcano in Italy last erupted in 1538. Is it about to blow again?
The volcano last erupted in 1538.
By Rebecca Ann Hughes
Published on 16/06/2023
"Some 30,000 years ago, the volcano is thought to have contributed to the extinction of the Neanderthal man.
In 1538, the volcano erupted over a period of eight days, shooting out enough lava, rocks and clouds of ash to form a new mountain. In the 1980s, there was another surge in activity which resulted in the
evacuation of 40,000 nearby inhabitants.
Since then, the supervolcano has been relatively quiet.
Now, however, a study by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Italy has found that a reawakening could be imminent.
“We’re not saying there will be an eruption, we are saying that the conditions for an eruption are more favourable,” lead author Christopher Kilburn from UCL told AFP.
One reason is that tens of thousands of minor earthquakes that have occurred since the 1950s have weakened the hollow at the summit of the volcano known as the caldera.
Will the Campi Flegrei volcano erupt?
In the study, published in the journal Nature on Friday, the scientists reported that “parts of the volcano had been stretched nearly to breaking point”.
Since 2019, the number of small tremors has been rising, piling pressure on the volcano’s crust. In April, 600 of these vibrations were recorded.
Surrounding ground level has also risen. The seaside town of Pozzuoli has been raised by almost four metres since the 1950s, according to the report."
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Researchers call on British Columbians to share what they know about the risk from volcanoes
There are several stratovolcanoes — the type known for their explosive eruptions — in southern B.C.
CBC News · Posted: Jan 24, 2023 6:04 PM AST
Casey Clements
Reply to Tom Paine
Try the on going one in Iceland!
Casey Clements
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Except the gases/ash they spew high into the atmosphere!
Casey Clements
Reply to David Amos
There is a live web cam feed - Watched it for an hour - amazing how nature works.
Casey Clements
Reply to David Amos
trudeau would raise the carbon tax by 1000%
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Casey Clements
Go figure why my question to his spin doctor went the way of the Dodo Bird
David Amos
Reply to Casey Clements
Reply to Ben Haroldson
Reply to Ben Haroldson
Jimmy Reese
Climate change is a major topic with Canadians this summer. A lot of eye opening events. Safe to say going forward that any political party not having a strong stance on climate change will be dismissed quickly.
Nick Charles
Reply to Jimmy Reese
I certainly hope you are right.
Otto Kirstein
Reply to Jimmy Reese
The Green Party has massive support. Amirite?
Darren MacDonald
Reply to Jimmy Reese
Canadians are against carbon tax hikes because they don't see it as productive.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to Jimmy Reese
I'd say any party led by Jt will be.
Jimmy Reese
Reply to Darren MacDonald
Not having carbon pricing for dumping into the atmosphere would be like allowing people and companies to dump into the oceans unchecked . Elon Musk. Right now, it’s the only effective way to deter the dumping
Darren MacDonald
Reply to Jimmy Reese
For companies maybe but not your average Joe.
"Recent Nanos polling found most Canadians are against carbon tax hikes as they see it as 'ineffective' in the fight against climate change."
Nick Nanos discussed the poll on the news today.
Jimmy Reese
Reply to Darren MacDonald
Not doubting you. Still it is needed.
David Amos
Reply to Darren MacDonald
Hmmm
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Jimmy Reese
Most will be looking for affordable housing, less inflation, lower interest rates and better healthcare agenda.
Jimmy Reese
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Most also know we don’t get any of that without climate change action
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Jimmy Reese
Why not ?
Jimmy Reese
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Are you not watching the damage being caused? Do you think that’s not costing our economy in huge ways? Come on, it’s not a hard thing to comprehend
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Jimmy Reese
Very little is due to our low emissions
Jimmy Reese
Reply to Dennis Woodman
So you figure Canadians shouldn’t put in effort is that it?With that thinking we never would have entered WW 1 or 2
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Jimmy Reese
Worst analogy of the day
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Ditto
Sharon Harrison
People are just being asked to do their part. It's not a big ask.
Nick Charles
Reply to Sharon Harrison
Exactly.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to Sharon Harrison
Pay up , in other words.
Sharon Harrison
Reply to Ben Haroldson
There are lots of other things you can do that won't cost you money. Read up on it with an open mind. You may be surprised.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to Sharon Harrison
Like put gas my car?
Ben Haroldson
Reply to Sharon Harrison
Enlighten me What I am going to do to "fix " the climate.
Sharon Harrison
Reply to Ben Haroldson
You're looking for an argument and you won't get it here. Sorry.
David Amos
Reply to Sharon Harrison
Why not?
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Sharon Harrison
That depends on your definition of “their part”.
Roger Pritchet.
Reply to Sharon Harrison
No matter how much it costs....
Canadians are now fully aware of the disinformation the oil and gas industry has been spreading for decades. We are seeing an increase in the disinformation on social media sites as governments put more and more pressure on the industry. Running scared would be the term
Roger Pritchet
Reply to Jimmy Reese
I think the O and G industry has been spreading no information until the 2000's. Up until then, they were not challenged or questioned. Now it's just fashionable to do so.
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Roger Pritchet
I thank them for the heat I get when it’s -30 out. You got a heat pump ?
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Me too
Canada produces 6% of all the oil in the world.
Opec produces 80 % .
The rest of the private companies 14%
Yet Canadian oil is the only oil attacked inveromentlists.
Funny
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Ralph Eddy
Nobody is attacking or restricting production. If you read Canada’s Climate Plan you’ll see the emphasis is on reducing demand.
David Amos
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Spin much?
Content Deactivated
Bill Gardiner
Reply to David Amos
Where has production been restricted by the federal government?
alan thompson
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Bill google up emission caps
Bill Gardiner
Reply to alan thompson
They're are other ways to meet emission cap without reducing production.
Nick Charles
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Lots of the let’s do nothing crowd out today.
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Nick Charles
We've gone from climate change doesn't exist to fossil fuels don't cause it to there's no point doing anything because other countries aren't to there's no point doing anything because there's no point doing anything. The argument has run out of steam but it's proponents haven't.
Ralph Eddy
Facts.
When u add up all the carbon foot prints of all the people in Canada and the oil and gas industry etc.
Canada only produces a very small 1.5 % of all the GHG on Earth.
If man made GHG is the problem there is nothing we can do in Canada.
We don't produce enough to be able to reduce enough to matter.
That is a science fact
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Ralph Eddy
That is why it’s a global initiative. The world is transitioning from fossil fuels, not just Canada.
David Amos
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Yea Right
Bill Gardiner
Reply to David Amos
Yup. There was $1 trillion invested in green energy last year, more than in fossil fuels. Even China and India are relaxing coal power with renewables.
Neil Kelly
Reply to Ralph Eddy
Which brings a question to mind, is Canada better served directing more resources to adaptation efforts?
Nick Charles
Reply to Ralph Eddy
Each country will have to its share.
Ward Churchill
Reply to Ralph Eddy
My carbon footprint is virtually zero when compared to the total GHG produced globally. Nothing I do will affect in any measurable way the total GHG emissions. Now get 8 billion to say the same thing and we have the logic of your argument. Yawn.
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Relaxing buy burning more ?
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Replacing coal fired energy with renewables means they're burning less coal.
Reply to Bill Gardiner
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Reply to G. Timothy Walton
Reply to Andy Grenn
Gord Greko
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Gord Greko
The increases are baked in. Google "carbon tax rate increase schedule".
Craig Henderson
Reply to Gord Greko
I would rather see the carbon tax money refunded to Canadians as it is now.
Craig Henderson
Reply to Gord Greko
If your province is not allowing the refund you should elect a provincial government that will get you your refund.
Andy Grenn
Reply to Bill Gardiner
So many ins and outs to this Climate Change stuff. Hard to keep up…
Rod Turner
Reply to Andy Grenn
Just genuflec, confess your sins, and pay your tithes. Worked for centuries.
alan thompson
Reply to Andy Grenn
if you are confused Bill will give you a google search to do or some IPCC report or NASA
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Gord Greko
Surely you jest
Dennis Woodman
Reply to alan thompson
Bill is too busy, moderating
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman
He is not alone
Rod Turner
China's per capita emissions are 7.5 tonnes or half of Canada's. If LPC voters emigrated they would instantly cut their emissions in half and Canada's would fall by 30%. Paris agreement met.
Hayden Sterling
Reply to Rod Turner
Neither is meaningful.
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Rod Turner
China is ahead of us in using grid scale renewable energy.
Sidney Watts
Reply to Hayden Sterling
So why shouldn’t the average Chinese be able to emit the same as the average Canadian? Or are we just entitled?
Hayden Sterling
Reply to Sidney Watts
They have a warmer climate
Tom Paine
Reply to Hayden Sterling
So does Australia with a per capital output of CO2 that's pretty close to ours. What's their excuse?
Rod Turner
Reply to Bill Gardiner
All the more reason.
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Rod Turner
Per Capita is nonsense
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Bill Gardiner
And record amounts of coal, as you are aware.
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Sidney Watts
Picture what would happen if air didn’t move. Now picture the air over China and the air over Canada. What’s worse ?
Bill Gardiner
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Yes, but the good news is they're not burning as much coal as they would be if they weren't replacing some if it with renewables.
Dennis Woodman
Reply to Bill Gardiner
That’s double talk. They’re burning more, not less. AND they aren’t replacing any.
David Amos
Reply to Rod Turner
Well put
David Amos
Reply to Dennis Woodman
Its all nonsense
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