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The intensity of this latest heat wave, the wildfires, and the tragic, unequal impacts make clear the urgency of acting on climate change.
Ottawa (08 July 2021) — The devastating heat wave that hit western Canada in recent days has caused illness and death, fueled wildfires, and strained essential public services, from utilities to health care.
In a particularly stark example, after 3 consecutive days of record-shattering temperatures, the town of Lytton, B.C., was engulfed by wildfire in mere minutes. There have been reports of already-stretched health care systems, and their staff, being put under enormous pressure (CBC News).
"The extreme weather events, and their devastating impacts, have also made real for many people the worsening effects of climate change," said Larry Brown, NUPGE President. "What’s more, they should also move us all to action."
Experts sound the alarm — again
The events of the last week have widely been seen as a “wake up call” on the climate crisis (The Energy Mix).
Due to climate change, extreme weather events are becoming more extreme and happening more often. These and other effects are projected to only intensify as global warming continues, as outlined in the 2019 Canada’s Changing Climate Report.
Experts predict that 2021 will be a severe wildfire season, having started early, and with 1/3 of B.C.'s nearly 200 wildfires currently burning out of control.
Speaking of the latest heat wave and resulting wildfires, U.S.-based climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe said, “These extremes are something we knew were coming. The suffering that is here and now is because we have not heeded the warnings sufficiently” (Washington Post).
Impacts on the most vulnerable
"The heat wave also illustrated what climate scientists and activists have been saying: the negative impacts of climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized groups," said Bert Blundon, NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer.
There have been many reports of the spike in heat-related illness and death in B.C. Particularly at risk are the elderly, people experiencing homelessness, and people with underlying health issues, including mental health or substance use issues.
The heat wave shone a light on class inequality. There was much attention on air conditioners, but even unequal access to shade and greenspace is a symptom of income and wealth inequality (The Tyee).
Members on the frontlines
Unfortunately, none of this is news to NUPGE members.
"Our members are on the front lines of these crises caused by climate change," said Brown, "from fighting wildfires, to assisting with evacuations, to providing health care and social services through it all. Our members are often the ones caring for the most vulnerable, or are vulnerable themselves."
"Our members see the worsening effects of climate change in their jobs and in their communities," continued Blundon. "This means that they also have the experience and expertise needed to help tackle this crisis, whether it’s modifying the way we work, putting safeguards in place, or channeling resources to certain areas. If governments are serious about mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects, workers must be at the table."
And there’s no time to waste
The intensity of this latest heat wave, the wildfires, and the tragic, unequal impacts make clear the urgency of acting on climate change.
“This is not the new normal,” said Simon Donner, a University of British Columbia professor of climatology, in an interview with CBC News. “There’s going to continue being new normal until we stop emitting greenhouse gases because the baseline, or what we think of as normal, is constantly moving upwards now.”
The COVID-19 pandemic upended our sense of normal. A crisis intersecting with the climate emergency, it has also put us in a unique moment to define a new normal. We have an opportunity to build towards a more just, equitable, and sustainable future. Indeed, we must.