But while changing how we protect and manage land is important and can help us deal with climate change, it can’t possibly do all the work. Image of a ruler in the snow. This could result in a 20 percent loss of species, such as polar bears, songbirds and waterfowl in the Arctic and the boreal forest. Over the next 50 to 100 years, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide are expected to double or even triple, leading to global temperature increases of between 1.5 and 5.9 degrees Celsius over a very short period of time (relative to earlier global temperature changes which took place over 5,000 - 20,000 years). Grasslands, historically mostly found on the Prairies but now quickly vanishing, also store a lot of carbon in its soil. The ten warmest years on record have all happened since 1998, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Associated text: Rising global temperature. Here are seven things that Canadians need to know about climate change and forests and, more generally, nature-based climate solutions. Image of a city including cars, a building and trees. You likely know the Amazon rainforest is important for both its astonishing biodiversity and carbon storage. Can cycling pave the way for a greener, more equitable recovery? Hotter summer nights. Agricultural soils can also hold a lot of carbon but that depends on farming practices. They threaten the survival of ecosystems and the well-being of Canadians and other people around the world. Image of a scientific building with a wind-measurement tool on the roof. Peatlands are a type of wetland. Image depicting a polar bear on an ice floe. When a tree is cut down, it releases the carbon it has stored. Rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have already begun to change the global climate. But they couldn’t possibly do all the work. Image depicting the moon and stars. Image depicting a thermometer overlaid over a map for the world. For example: There are many more examples of “green infrastructure” that should be considered when municipalities of all sizes are making decisions about needed infrastructure. Associated text: Changing precipitation patterns. I want to say this at the outset –. Statement from the World Conference on the Changing Atmosphere (Toronto, June 1988). And yet one square km of boreal forest holds twice as much carbon as a square kilometre in the Amazon. And that makes forests gigantic vaults that hold a lot of carbon. Significant increases in extreme weather events such as storms, and floods. This section includes one large image of the globe. The science is clear. Statement from the World Conference on the Changing Atmosphere (Toronto, June 1988). However it is vital that it is done right. The infographic title is Climate Science is Making an Impact. In total, the carbon held in the boreal holds 100 times Canada’s current annual emissions. This rise is primarily a result of our over-use of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and gas. Animals and plants can survive better within large tracts of natural landscapes, especially as temperatures warm and precipitation patterns change. There is significant overlap between natural areas that hold a lot of carbon and natural areas that have healthy ecosystems. The rate of warming is even higher in Canada's North, in the Prairies and northern British Columbia. Some projects might store less carbon than they get credit for and have a negative impact on both climate change and biodiversity. Nature-based climate solutions had significant potential if nature was protected and activities that damaged ecosystems and agricultural land were reformed or curtailed. The infographic concludes with the following text: Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and Canada’s climate science is making a difference. Burning these fuels adds additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, trapping heat and warming the planet. Canada’s temperature is rising … Image of a greenhouse gas monitoring station. This rise is primarily a result of our over-use of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and gas. Here’s why Shell should quit CAPP, the Canadian oil lobby. Intact ecosystems that haven’t been degraded by logging or other industrial activities are also more resilient to climatic changes that have begun already, and will ramp up over time. We can expect impacts such as: More frequent heat waves and smog episodes, contributing to increases in respiratory illnesses such as asthma and mortality. Though they make up a much smaller area on the Canadian landscape. that human activities have caused concentrations of greenhouse gases (such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and CFCs) to rise significantly over the last 200 years. But in order to unleash this potential, we have to change the way we manage those lands. Wetlands store a lot of carbon, mostly in its soil. Sure, every country including Canada has to improve its policies on forestry, protected areas, and agriculture. Part 1 of the infographic shows some of the impacts of climate change. An aerial view of the boreal forest in Quebec. Yes to Two Billion Trees…done right. Associated text: Environment and Climate Change Canada’s world-class climate science contributes to global efforts: Scientists are conducting cutting-edge research in climate monitoring, analysis and modelling. Offsets can allow projects that increase stored carbon in forests or on agricultural land to receive carbon credits that can be sold for money or counted against other polluting activities. A global study found that these landscapes could provide more than one-third of the climate action needed to limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius. Our planet is warming faster than at any time in the last 10,000 years. But there are other ecosystems found in Canada that are important in addressing climate change too: wetlands (including peatlands) and grassland. But if forests are like bank vaults for carbon, then we need to keep our eyes on the deposits and withdrawals – i.e. A federal offset system is also being developed this year. BUT ALSO significantly reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas. In Canada, mitigation of anthropogenic climate change and global warming is a topic of central political concern. Nature-based climate solutions such as preserving forests and improving agricultural practices have a role in limiting climate change. This is especially true for intact forests – which have not yet been significantly altered by human activity. Canada’s forests currently hold a lot of carbon – but that is slowly changing Associated text: Rising global temperature. Reducing fossil fuel usage is even more important. Section subtitle is What are we doing? All Rights Reserved. the carbon that is either absorbed or released. And yes also to eliminating the production, use, and export of fossil fuels. Visit Canada’s action on climate change for more information on climate change and Canada’s way forward in addressing it. You will not receive a reply. Associated text: 15 stations across Canada monitor greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Or it can be degraded, made less productive and resilient due to industrial development. Canadian forests, fisheries and physical infrastructure would also be at risk. The Canadian government’s commitment to plant two billion trees over the next ten years is potentially a great initiative that could provide multiple benefits. So far I’ve only discussed forests. Nature can also play a role in human adaptation. Continuing to use fossil fuels will just dig the hole deeper and deeper and deeper, no matter how many trees we plant. The first impacts of global warming - increasing floods, droughts, spreading diseases and melting glaciers - are now evident on every continent and in most nations. Restoring degraded forests allows more carbon to be absorbed, boosting our carbon bank account and helping us limit the extent of climate change. As a northern country, Canada will experience some of the greatest warming on Earth. Canada’s temperature is rising more quickly than the global average.
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