There is consensus in the scientific community that global warming could threaten the health of Canadians. For instance, as climate change alters the distribution of animal species around the world, animal diseases such as the West Nile virus could be transmitted to humans. Warmer temperatures could also lead to more illnesses and deaths. Health Canada has identified a number of health concerns related to global warming. These include a potential increase in deaths and illnesses resulting from more frequent and intense heat waves, and greater risk of infectious disease epidemics due to reduced availability of fresh water and safe foods.
Climate Change - Impact on Canada
People. Just as plants and animals are affected by global warming, people too are at risk from the consequences of climate change. And the risk is by no means restricted to those who live in the Arctic; all Canadians – including you – will be touched one way or another by the effects of global warming.
Major challenges for Inuit communities
For thousands of years, the Inuit have survived by hunting and fishing arctic seas – especially polar bear, walrus, seals, whales, and arctic char – practices that support human livelihoods, cultural identity, and traditions. But as rapidly vanishing sea ice causes declines in these animal populations, probably leading to regional extinctions in some cases, the Inuit’s traditional way of life could be altered forever.Increased health risks for all Canadians
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Loss of homes for coastal dwellers
Global warming is a serious threat to Canadians who live or work in coastal communities. Thanks to higher sea levels and reduced sea ice, Canada’s coastline is likely to become more vulnerable to higher waves and storm surges.
A threat to national security
Reduced sea ice is expected to make the Arctic more accessible to commercial shipping and to companies seeking to tap into the area’s wealth of oil and gas resources. Consequently, as marine and commercial access increases, the Arctic could become the focus of issues related to sovereignty, safety, and national security.
A threat to the quality of our everyday lives
The results of warming will also be manifested in many aspects of our everyday lives: in the deteriorating quality of the water we drink and use for cooking and washing, and in frequent blackouts that will result from the inadequate supply of water needed to produce clean hydro-electricity. Warmer temperatures could also lead to shortages of certain types of food, due to reduced crop yields in countries that export fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products to Canada. Even homegrown maple syrup could become scarce because of warming.