The University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit in the UK has placed its global temperature data on Google Maps and you can check out how temperatures have changed wherever data has been collected world wide.
Here's what Ottawa's temperature record looks like:
Interestingly in light of our Future of Snow and Skiing event, you can also look at temperature records for seasons. Here's Ottawa's winter season temperature record:
Last night at Carleton University, author, historian and journalist Gwynne Dyer gave a talk based on his book Climate Wars.
Not for the faint of heart.
Dr. Dyer went over how he first came upon the idea of writing about climate change from a military perspective and how the idea has stuck with him an unnaturally long time. As well as reviewing the basics of climate change he went into some detail on how military planners anticipate the climate crisis will increase unrest and force powerful western nations to become brutal in the defense of their own people; to the point of shooting people who try to cross borders illegally.
He said part of his reason for setting the issue in such stark terms was, as he put it, to "get the donkey's attention."
That resonated with me; getting people's attention.
It was the realization that the age of skiing was coming to an end that got my attention. It led to me really drilling down to understand the issue of climate change and then trying to do something about it.
I hope that tomorrow nights panel discussion on that end of the age of skiing will get the attention of at least a few skiers who weren't really thinking about this issue before.
I respect Gwynne Dyer's work but however realistic a picture he paints the world depicted is very stark. People turn away. Maybe the gentler message - more personal - something you love to do won't be available anymore - can make at least some of those people turn their heads back to examine the problem more closely.
In the run up to Ecology Ottawa's event The Future of Snow and Skiing in a Warmer World here are a few reports we've come across.
Extract from The Future of the Winter Olympics in a Warmer World:
The confluence of the 22nd Olympic Winter Games and the 5th IPCC Assessment provides an important opportunity for reflection on the long-term implications of global climate change for the world of sport and the world’s collective cultural heritage symbolized by the Olympic Movement. Although the format and technologies supporting winter sports in the later decades of this century will be different from today, they will remain founded on snow and ice, as they have for the past 200 years. It is clear that the cultural legacy of the world’s celebration of winter sport is at risk if the warmer climate scenarios of the late-21st century are allowed to occur. Importantly, this future is not certain. We that enjoy winter sports of all kinds and support the Olympic Movement can influence this outcome in favor of the sustainability of the Olympic Winter Games.
The Future of Snow and Skiing in a Warming World
NEW LOCATION - The Canada Aviation and Space Museum, 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa
Last week, the City of Toronto launched its innovative new Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). This financing program is unique in Canada in that loan payments to the City can be made over a period of up to 15 years as a special (local improvement) charge indicated on the property tax bill. There are many advantages of this approach. HELP allows homeowners to avoid the large upfront cost of home energy improvements and pay for them over time. If the property is sold before the loan is repaid, the new owner will assume the balance of the loan and continue to repay it through the property tax bill. In many cases, the loan payments will be less than the energy savings obtained, giving homeowners immediate relief on their energy bills.
Last night I hosted a party for neighbours in Kitchissippi Ward so we could tell our elected officials face to face in a friendly way that we have deep concerns about the Energy East pipeline.
Our City Councillor, MPP and MP all came and all stayed for the duration; talking about pipelines, spills and climate change for almost three hours with their voters.
