Global Climate Change

The Earth's climate is always changing. Canada's Earth scientists undertake research that enables communities and societies to understand the magnitude, frequency and nature of these changes. The science of global climate change is still evolving and our understanding of this vital Earth system is not as developed as is the case for other Earth systems such as plate tectonics. What is known with certainty is that regardless of the causes, our global climate will continue to change for the foreseeable future.

Earth scientists know that our global climate has changed significantly, at times with dramatic speed and magnitude, over many millions of years. For example, Earth scientists have demonstrated that as energy received from the sun varies, so too does our climate. As a second example, Earth scientists have carefully mapped evidence on our landscape that demonstrates that large sheets of ice covered most of Canada only 15,000 years ago.

Canada's Earth scientists also recognize that humans are adding greenhouse gases (GHGs) to our atmosphere at an ever increasing rate. The level of CO2 in our atmosphere is now greater than at any time in the past 500,000 years; there will be consequences for our global climate and natural systems as a result. Canada's Earth scientists are continuing to conduct crucial Earth science research to determine what these consequences are likely to be.

We have the knowledge, skills and expertise to help communities and societies better understand the possible consequences of global climate change for our planet's natural resources, physical systems and ecosystems. We are ready and willing to help communities and societies find solutions and viable mitigation and/or adaptation strategies. For example, as governments in Canada develop strategies and policies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, long-term solutions will be required, including adoption of less GHG-intensive technologies as well as GHG capture and storage. Sound knowledge of our Earth's systems will be crucial to the success of any project to sequester GHGs.

Members of our community are available to help societies understand the wide range of issues that they may face as a result of global climate change. These could include: increased frequency and severity of drought, coastal erosion, sea level change, permafrost degradation, impact of reduced glacier cover on water resources, groundwater quality and quantity, and occurrence of climate-related natural hazards such as flooding, dust storms and landslides.

Canada's Earth scientists are working hard to understand global climate change and to identify critical thresholds and key vulnerabilities to current and future climate. We know that appreciating how our planet's climate and physical systems change and function, particularly in response to human activities, is crucial if Canadians are to make informed decisions and choices which lead us to a sustainable future on our planet.