Ottawa, Canada

Climate Change Impacts

Ocean Acidification: Temperatures rise with increasing CO2 (carbon dioxide) levels, which causes the ocean to become more acidic, affecting marine ecosystems.

How Does This Impact Me? Marine species are threatened, yet they are essential in our food security, fisheries, serving as coastal protection, and producing oxygen.

Biodiversity Loss: The quick rise in temperature— around 1.7 C between 1948 and 2016 (double the global rate) and 2.3 C in northern Canada (triple the global rate), ecosystems change quickly and many species struggle to adapt.

How Does This Impact Me? Biodiversity loss disrupts ecosystems, making species vulnerable to extinction, reducing our food security, fresh water supply, natural services, and economic stability— an ecosystem collapse would cost 2.3% of global GDP (annually) by 2030.

Health Impacts: Warmer temperatures allow for the expansion of disease vectors, like mosquitoes which can carry various diseases like the West Nile virus.

How Does This Impact Me? Increased heat-related illnesses worsens air quality, spreads infectious diseases like malaria which kills ~600,000 people per year.

Case Study: Severe Flooding of the Ottawa River

The Ottawa River is a major natural feature which flows through Ottawa, Ontario, and has been flooding more frequently and severely. This is due to the increasingly heavier rainfall and faster melting of snow, which has resulted in significant damage to communities and ecosystems.

Why is the Ottawa River important?

Provides drinking water to residents
A habitat for diverse wildlife and ecosystems
Serves as a spot for recreation and tourism
A natural waterway for transportation and/or trade

Environmental Problem:

Heavy Rainfall and Faster Snowmelt
- Overwhelms the natural drainage capacity of the river
- Severe flooding
Pollution
- Microplastics, sewage overflows, and nuclear waste
- Harms aquatic life
- Introduces harmful pathogens
- Poses a risk to human health
Riverbank Erosion
- Threatens natural habitats and/or property along the river

How do climate-change-induced problems impact me?

Significant damage to infrastructure
Economic losses
Worsening water quality (health risks)

Solutions!!

What Can I Do?

Lower CO2 emissions: Walk, bike, carpool instead of driving
Reduce plastic consumption and waste, especially single-use plastics
Plant native species
Join Local Organisations
- Ottawa River Flood Alliance https://www.ottawariverflood.ca/who-we-are
- Ecology Ottawa https://www.ottawariverflood.ca/who-we-are
- Green Ottawa https://greenottawa.ca/directory/
Kidical Mass Ottawa Bike Ride - Participate in a group bike ride to advocate for sustainable transportation for youth! https://www.forourkids.ca/kidicalmass_ottawa

Sources

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/canadian-centre-climate-services/basics/trends-projections/changes-temperature.html

https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/sintra/ecb.forumcentbankpub2024_Kuchler_paper.en.pdf

https://ottawariver.ca/conditions/

https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/air-quality-energy-and-health/health-impacts/climate-impacts-of-air-pollution#:~:text=Air%20pollutants%2C%20such%20as%20methane,than%20carbon%20dioxide%20(CO2).

https://www.undp.org/blog/destruction-nature-threatens-world-economy-its-time-outlaw-it-serious-financial-crime#:~:text=The%20impact%20of%20losing%20wild,relationship%20with%20nature%20is%20bleak.