Worksheet 1.3 Answers
Climate change impacts

1. Climate change will vary regionally, but generally warmer winters, more frequent summer heat waves, changes in precipitation, changes in wind patterns, and an increased frequency of severe storms are expected to affect Canada. In arctic regions, warming is expected to be most pronounced, causing melting of permafrost and glaciers. There is also possibility of regional droughts, greater flood damage, and more frequent thunderstorms and tornadoes.
2. Vancouver, British Columbia, has the warmest average annual temperature; Resolute, Nunavut, has the coldest.
3. St. John's, Newfoundland, has the highest amount of average annual precipitation; Resolute, Nunavut, has the least amount.
4. From 1948 to 2007, Canada experienced a 1.4^oC increase in annual temperature.
5. Less snowfall would reduce the need for snow clearing and road maintenance in some areas, as well as reduced opportunities for winter recreational activities. Areas that rely on snowmelt would have less water available during the summer, which could result in a water shortage.
6. Glaciers are most commonly found in the western cordillera and the mountains of the eastern Arctic.
7. Approximately 200,000 km² (2%) of Canada's land mass is covered by glaciers.
8. Glacier reduction is accelerating as a result of higher air temperatures, less precipitation in winter and albedo feedback effects (glaciers reflecting a high proportion of solar radiation back towards outer space).
9. Agriculture in the western provinces relies on huge amounts of water to irrigate crops and oilsands producers in Alberta also use huge amounts of water to produce oil (3-4 m³ of water is used to produce 1 m³ of oil).