We measure climate change because the anticipated pattern of changing climate will greatly affect the well being of Canadians. Measuring greenhouse gases can help us understand and reduce the negative impacts of climate change through preventative measures.
The rate and magnitude of global climate change over the long term has many implications for natural ecosystems and urban areas, our resource-based industries (farming, fishing and forestry), the planning and management of our country's infrastructure (roads, water and sewer systems, gas and power lines), and Canada's travel and tourism industry are all sensitive to climate conditions. The average water levels in the Great Lakes are expected to decrease and will probably be more variable. In 1964 low water levels resulted in a $35 million loss for Great Lakes shipping and hydropower. One third of municipalities along the lakes had water supply problems.
Climate change is also likely to have wide-ranging and mostly harmful effects on human health. The relationship between weather, climate and human health is both direct and indirect, since air quality is also strongly influenced by weather and climate. Respiratory disorders and allergy problems may worsen; extreme weather events could result in more deaths; infectious diseases may extend their range northward to Canada; and health disorders related to environmental contamination by bacteria, viruses and parasites are also likely to increase with climate change.
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This graph depicts the rise in temperature beginning in 1860.
Source: Climate Change—It Matters. Are you doing your Bit? |