The impacts of climate change in Nova Scotia

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Why is climate change effecting Nova Scotia?

Scientists agree that greenhouse gases are the ultimate cause for rising land and ocean temperatures around the world.

Nova Scotia is almost entirely surrounded by water. As a result, the rising ocean temperatures are an integral part of the province's changing climate.

Who is responsible for combating climate change in Nova Scotia?

Department of Environment and Climate Change

Responsibilities

Water

Drinking Water Groundwater Operator Certification Surface Water Wastewater Water Resources Management Strategy Watercourse Alteration Wetlands

Land

Contaminated Sites Environmental Assessment Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Pests and Pesticides Petroleum Storage Pollution Prevention Protected Areas Solid Waste and Recycling

Air

Inspection, Compliance and Enforcement

Conservation Enforcement Environmental Health Fisheries and Aquaculture Food Protection

What can happen if climate change continues and what are the future plans for Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Action Plan

https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ccap.pdf

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When did climate change start in Canada?

Signs of climate change began in 1950. In Canada, these changes include rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increases in certain types of hazardous weather.

What is the province doing to combat climate change?

Sustainability

Programs run through Efficiency Nova Scotia have reduced electricity demand in the province by 10%

More than 120,000 Nova Scotians have heat pumps in their homes.

They have various programs to combat climate change. For example, the climate change action plan, adaptation work plan and the climate data hub.

They require led street lights within Nova Scotia.

Renewable Electricity - The province uses wind, tidal, biomass, and hydro power

Legislation

The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act Imposed aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy, improve air and water quality, and protect ecosystems

The Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53% below 2005 levels by 2030. - Achieve net-zero emissions in Nova Scotia by 2050.

Where in Nova scotia does climate change have a strong impact?

Climate change has a strong impact on the coastal areas in Nova Scotia. This is a vulnerable area as most of the population and infrastructure is located along the coastline.

How does climate change effect Nova Scotia?

Health of the citizens

Respiratory Conditions

Warmer temperatures can worsen air quality and increase cardiovascular conditions like asthma and allergies.

Support Disease Prevention

Capacity Challenges

The number of health complaints caused directly or indirectly by climate change has increased. For example, injuries caused by extreme weather events, respiratory illnesses and diseases associated with warmer average temperatures.

Re-examine Management Plans and strategies

Disease

The distribution and severity of vector-borne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease), as well as rodent, water and food-borne diseases are increasing due to climate change.

Stop the spread by working with other local and national authorities to control the spread of insects that carry diseases.

Forest

Forest Ecosystems

There may be an increase in the amount of early successional forests and decrease in the amount of late successional forests. Boreal forests, such as those found on Cape Breton Island, may switch to more temperate or mixed forests.

Protect infrastructure

Pests

The greatest threat to forests is from insects, pathogens and herbivores. However, they are expected to move northward from more southern areas with the warmer temperatures.

Conserve genetic diversity

Tree Damage

If an ice storm is followed by a period of drought, the risk of fire goes up. As a result, more forest fires and extreme weather events are likely to increase tree mortality.

Establish monitoring programs

Fisheries

Marine Ecosystems

Climate change will affect everything from ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, sea ice coverage, nearshore and beach areas, rivers. These areas are used for feeding and spawning, coastal erosion of protective salt marshes and barrier dune systems.

Diversify fish farms

Fish Habitat

Increased sediment in precipitation runoff may also challenge other commercial fish stocks like crab, lobster, salmon and other fin fish.

Identify resilient species

Impact of climate change within the fishing industry

A Climate Sensitive Industry

Fishing accounts for about 10 per cent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and forms the economic centre of many coastal communities.

Adaptation

Diversify the fisheries