The climate is changing

Despite a full week of frigid temperatures already this year, the global climate is still warming. Climate is the average weather over a span of about 30 years, while weather is the current or short-term state of the atmosphere. So while in mid-January, we experienced very cold weather, if you track our weather over a much longer time-frame than a week, a very different story emerges.

Since 1917, Edmonton’s mean annual temperature has risen by 1.7°C, with winters showing the most warming, by 3.2°C. If, globally, we continue to emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) at a rate similar to today, the world could see an overall warming of 4°C by 2100. As temperatures rise and there is more energy in the atmosphere, Edmonton should expect more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as hail and strong winds. In response to this warming, the City is accelerating its plans to reduce GHG emissions.

Climate change is affecting Edmonton in many different ways. We now expect warming periods in winter (as we have already seen over the past few years); drier summers; wetter springs and autumns; and more pests threatening our greenspaces as insects not native to this area begin to migrate northward. With this overall warming trend comes temperature extremes, including hotter hot days in summer and periods of extreme cold like we just experienced in mid-January.

Cities around the world are re-evaluating their plans for both infrastructure and operations in order to adapt to changes modeled for their regions. These changes are creating more resilient cities that are also healthier and more attractive. Low Impact Development (LID) principles that have been used in Edmonton for some time now, are providing impressive results in other cities, too, like the Credit Valley watershed in the Mississauga region of Ontario, where annual runoff has been reduced by 80% and water quality is markedly improved. Recently, Edmonton participated in climate resilience research with regional partners. One of the projects involved assessing the vulnerability of urban forests to climate change and includes a listing of tree species better suited to our future climate. For homeowners, the City has collaborated with municipalities across the region to provide tips for climate-proofing your home. For more information, visit climateresilienthome.ca.

We’ve all been through change; it tends to be the one constant we can count on. Change can be a big deal, and adapting to change doesn’t necessarily come with a set of rules. Climate Resilient Edmonton: Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan is our plan for preparing for what we know is coming.