In researching, and all the while living daily life in the time of climate change, we Canadians continue to watch, learn about and take seriously the impact of changes in our climate, on our families and indeed the effect on the cities and throughout the beautiful vast lands that we call home.

We are keenly aware that climate change is affecting each of us in many ways.  Due to Canada’s landmass and its expanse which covers so many ecozones and climate regions, it has been reported that Canada’s annual average temperature is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world.  Canadian residents continue to feel the effects of climate change more drastically than those living elsewhere around the world.

Climate change has already seen extreme weather that resulted from the hugely unexpected and damaging heat dome that hovered over Canada in the summer of 2021, created by climate disturbances. Nearly 500 people died from the heat in Canada, not to mention the estimated 1 billion marine animals that lost their lives in the heatwave. The return of heat domes in 2022 was once again a difficult-to-survive situation across western Canada. Sadly, many lives and homes were destroyed, and many lakes lost depth and so many vital streams and rivers ran dry. Families were left to start again after losing their jobs, homes, and opportunities for returning to the many damaged properties.

In other areas of Canada, lake and river levels soared after spring thaws that came early in the year. Now as fall arrives and our waterways are being lowered due to the news of heavy snows and bad weather anticipated for winter 2022/23, we are facing the warnings being shared as the result of the changes in the normal Canadian winter.

If climate change is not addressed, the effects will be much more than just the searing Heat Dome, and rising temperatures. Photos can remind us of the loss of the many changing vistas affected. Recording of the changes is an important part of how our art can speak to the importance and need for using that inspiration in our own sharing.

Our Role: Take notice in your part of the world, be aware of what YOU and all of us can do to positively contribute – to listen, learn and share the climate change burdens that are bound to take over our world…it counts. The climate we are accustomed to is no longer a reliable guide for what to expect in the future.