Experts say wildfires make climate crisis impossible to ignore
As wildfires continue to burn across Canada causing poor air quality on the east coast and south of the border, some experts say the climate crisis is impossible to ignore.
“I would like to indicate that climate change has been triggering diverse extreme events, wildfires are only one type of disasters,” said Dr. Haorui Wu, Canada Research Chair in Resilience and an associate professor at Dalhousie University's School of Social Work.
Wu says drought, flooding, hurricanes and heat waves in the summer, and winter storms and extreme low temperature in winters, are becoming more normal.
“With accelerated climate change, Nova Scotia has already experienced increased extreme events, for example, hurricanes have become the annual events. It is expected that wildfires will be increased as well. If not, other extreme weather events (e.g., flooding and drought) would become more frequently,” he said.
Newfoundland and Labrador currently has four working water bombers in its fleet, which are helping fight the fires in Canada.
A fifth water bomber is currently undergoing repairs.
The planes are helping douse the flames in Nova Scotia, a province that doesn’t have any water bombers of its own.
“The Department is continually assessing its needs and making recommendations, as part of its regular course of business. At the moment however, our sole focus is on fighting the wildfires,” said a spokesperson for the province.
Wu says although it is not nice, disasters provide a great opportunity to raise the local residents’ awareness for disaster and emergency management.
“Raising awareness is the first step so that the residents could use different ways to prepare for the disasters. For example, they might develop a family-based emergency plan. They might also reach out to their local MPs to pursue the political interventions,” said Wu.
Wu thinks water bombers should be available for emergency response, and is hoping the government will look at improving evacuation strategies.
For More Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.