Commissioned by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canada's Changing Climate Report (CCCR) states that Canada's annual average temperature over land has warmed 1.7 C - In Northern Canada, the annual average temperature has increased by 2.3 C.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), global average temperatures have increased by about 0.8 C. Therefore Canada is on the forefront of being most affected by climate change, experiencing warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world with the North at three times the rate.
It's obvious that emissions of greenhouse gases have been the dominant cause of the observed global warming since the mid-20th century as the report attests.
How has Canada’s climate changed to date, why, and what changes are projected?
The answers to these questions are unsettling as Canada is now by far most affected by international standard.
Should we be at the ready to expect and experience many more severe weather events like floods, wind damage, fire, water shortages and crop devastation?
What has been the impact to date and the anticipated forecast for our future?