Canada Faces Devastating Heatwaves From Climate Change

Canada, which is warming faster than any other part of the planet, is facing the devastating consequences of climate change. The unprecedented heatwaves that have plagued the country in recent years, leading to hundreds of deaths and large-scale forest fires, have been scientifically linked to global warming caused by human activity. Research from "Environment and Climate Change Canada" shows that without the anthropogenic factor, such extreme weather events would be practically impossible.

Scientists use the "Rapid Extreme Event Attribution" system, which allows them to compare current climate conditions with data from the pre-industrial era (1850-1900). This analysis clearly shows how much greenhouse gas emissions have increased the probability of a particular weather event. For example, 9 out of 10 major heatwaves recorded in various regions of Canada in the summer of 2025 were made much more likely precisely because of climate change. The probability of the heatwave in Atlantic Canada occurring has increased by at least 10 times due to human activity.

The consequences are destructive. The 2021 heat dome in British Columbia, which scientists described as "almost impossible" without climate change, caused the deaths of 619 people, becoming the deadliest natural disaster in the province's history. In addition to human losses, the abnormal heat dries out forests and vegetation, creating ideal conditions for the outbreak and rapid spread of forest fires. As a result, the 2023, 2024, and 2025 fire seasons have become some of the most destructive in the country's history in terms of burned area.

The conclusion of Canadian scientists is unequivocal. What was once considered a rare natural phenomenon is now becoming a common reality. Climate models show that if warming continues, in the second half of the century, the number of days with temperatures above +30°C in many Canadian cities will increase by at least four times compared to the historical average. This indicates that extreme heat and its consequences will become an integral part of Canadians' lives if urgent and decisive steps are not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.