A Brief Timeline of Canadain Climate Trends and an Examination of Future Environmental Possibilities

What is the difference between the 1960s, the 2000s, and the year 2050? The answer to this question could range from pharmaceutical research to the moon landing, but the difference this article will cover is climate change.

This analysis will go in-depth into the statistics of Canadian climate from 1961–1990 and 1981–2010, and will also briefly investigate the hypothesized future of Canadian climate in the year 2050. The main topics investigated in this article will be average annual temperature and average annual precipitation. Finally, this article will cover what these changes in statistics mean for future generations.

First, average annual temperatures will be discussed. These statistics will be derived from a normals station data retriever located in Toronto, Ontario.

From 1961–1990, the maximum daily temperature was recorded to be the highest in July, at 26.5 °C. The minimum daily temperature was recorded to be the lowest in January at -7.9 °C. Additionally, the average annual daily average was totalled to be 8.9 °C from 1961–1990 (Government of Canada).

From 1981–2010, the maximum daily temperature was recorded to be the highest in July, at 26.6 °C. The minimum daily temperature was recorded to be the lowest in January at -6.7 °C. Additionally, the annual daily average was totalled to be 9.4 °C from 1981–2010 (Government of Canada).

While an increase of 1.2 °C as the average temperature in January may not seem like a significant amount at first, one should look further into what differences and changes a simple 2 degrees Celsius can make on the environment.

According to The Climate Reality Project, an increase of 2 °C from the global average could cause the following climate events:

Next, average annual precipitation levels will be investigated. These statistics will be derived from a normals station data retriever located in Toronto, Ontario.

From 1961–1990, the average precipitation amount was recorded to be the highest in August, at 82.5mm. The average annual precipitation amount was 818.9mm from 1961–1990 (Government of Canada).

From 1981–2010, the average precipitation amount was recorded to be the highest in September, at 84.7mm, November coming in second with an average precipitation amount totalled at 84.1mm. The average annual precipitation amount was totalled to be 831.1mm from 1981–2010 (Government of Canada).

More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is water, which evaporates as the temperatures rise. Every 1 °F rise in temperature allows the atmosphere to hold up to 4% more water vapour (Climate Central).

As the temperatures increase, the amount of water evaporated increases, which leads to heavier, more intense downpours.

To further investigate what these statistics and data sets will mean for the coming years, one must first become familiar with rising sea levels.

Sea level rise is caused by two factors relating to global warming: the added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers and the expansion of seawater as it warms (NASA).

The first factor that will be explained is the melting ice sheets and glaciers. Glaciers are known for reflecting excess heat from the sun back into space, which in turn keeps the Earth cooler. The rise in temperatures and carbon emissions are causing the glaciers and ice sheets to melt, contributing to the rising sea levels and increasing global temperature (World Wildlife Foundation).

The second cause is known as thermal expansion. Caused by the rising temperatures, bodies of water will expand, increasing the sea levels (National Geographic).

Now that the basics have been discussed, and data of precipitation and temperature have been showcased, one can investigate the scientific ramifications that global warming and climate change may pose in the coming years.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, climate change — specifically in coastal areas — can lead to the following events:

To categorize these outlined climate events, they fall into the following classifications: flooding, habitat destruction, and increasingly extreme natural disasters.

In addition to the aforementioned effects of climate change, by the year 2050, the Earth’s surface temperature is predicted to rise above 2 °C and global sea levels will have risen by another 30.5 centimetres (Slingo).

The two main points have been discussed in this article: rising temperature and precipitation levels in Toronto, ON, Canada from 1961–1990 and 1981–2010 and the future possibilities of which climate change may present.

After reading this brief analysis into the historical and the future changes of climate change and global warming, one is encouraged to further research future ramifications of this topic.

The views represented in this article represent the opinion of the author and are not indicative of the official stance of the Youth Political Assembly.

https://onezero.medium.com/this-is-what-the-earths-climate-will-look-like-in-2050-e4edc91be08f

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