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Climate change in New Brunswick

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Köppen climate types of New Brunswick

Climate change in the Canadian province of New Brunswick affects various environments and industries, including forestry, wildlife,[1] and coastal development. Over the last three decades, New Brunswick has seen a 1.1 °C increase in mean annual temperature.[2] The University of Waterloo's Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation has projected a significant rise in over-30 °C days in the province by 2050.[3]

Greenhouse gas emissions

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New Brunswick went from 14.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 1990 to over 22 million tonnes in 2004; the growth percentage of 47% made the province the second-highest percentage increase in Canada.[4]

In April 2007, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB) reported that New Brunswick's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions was by NB Power's generation company, with a combined total of 7.8 million tonnes emitted by the Coleson Cove, Belledune and Dalhousie generating stations.[5] The Irving Oil Refinery, the largest oil refinery in Canada, is the largest source of emissions in the province,[6] accounting for about 25% of total emissions in New Brunswick as of 2024.[7]

Impacts of climate change

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Sea level rise

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New Brunswick predicted a sea level rise of 1 metre (3.3 ft) by 2100. Given the Bay of Fundy's high tidal range, sea level rise will cause increased flood elevations, greater risks that impact the severity and frequency of coastal flooding,[2][8] and lead to coastal erosion risks.[2] Sea level rise as a result of climate change will be present and cause greater risk to coastal communities within the province such as Saint John,[9] and will pose significant risk to geographically important areas in the province like the Isthmus of Chignecto, a small isthmus connecting the province to Nova Scotia whose protective dikes do not adequately protect the area from being prone to flooding.[10] This will significantly impact transportation links between the two provinces such as the Canadian National Railway line and the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as nearby communities in both provinces such as Sackville in New Brunswick.[11]

Sea level rise in New Brunswick will also result in coastal erosion, which will impact the province's coastal communities.[12]

Ecosystems

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Climate change is affecting New Brunswick's aquatic life due to warmer air and water temperatures, posing a risk to fish due to the increasing temperatures leading to faster metabolism and less energy.[13]

Precipitation

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New Brunswick has been expected to experience annual increases in the amount of precipitation, particularly in the northern part of the province.[14] Throughout 16 communities surveyed in New Brunswick, the average precipitation rates ranged between 991 millimetres to 1,243 millimetres between 1976 and 2005, with a 6–7% annual increase within each community.[15]

Response

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The Government of New Brunswick's Department of Environment released its first Climate Change Action Plan in 2007[16] for the years 2007–2012.[17] Another edition was released in April 2014 for the years 2014–2020,[18] and another, titled Transitioning to a Low-carbon Economy, was released in December 2016.[19] Its most recent climate change action plan was released on September 21, 2022, for the years 2022–2027.[20] Under the Climate Change Act, the action plan has a five-year review window.[21]

On December 14, 2017, Tracadie-Sheila legislative member Serge Rousselle introduced the Climate Change Act.[22][23] It was granted royal assent on March 16, 2018. Included within the act are target levels and regulations set for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, along with the ensured establishment of a Climate Change Action Plan as well as a Climate Change Fund.[21]

In December 2019, members of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick (MLAs) unanimously approved for the creation of a standing committee, the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship.[24] Members of the committee are all-party MLAs. As of the formation of the 61st New Brunswick Legislature in November 2024, the committee chair is Jacques LeBlanc.[25]

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Chilibeck, John (April 18, 2013). "N.B. forests could face drastic change – scientists". The Daily Gleaner. p. D6. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Climate Change in New Brunswick". Government of New Brunswick. Department of Environment and Local Government. 14 December 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "Nothing can stop N.B. from getting hotter over next three decades: report". CBC News. June 10, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2007, p. 2.
  5. ^ Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2007, p. 3.
  6. ^ Poitras, Jacques (May 28, 2024). "Big N.B. emitters mostly exceeded greenhouse gas caps in 2021–22". CBC News. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Poitras, Jacques (March 5, 2024). "Irving refinery can survive low-emissions future, report says". CBC News. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "New Brunswick coasts are at risk, climate change report says". CBC News. June 2, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Smith, Connell (November 10, 2020). "Rising sea levels and high-tide surge event could spell disaster for Saint John". CBC News. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Magazine, Hakai (May 25, 2023). "Rising Sea Levels Will Isolate People Long Before They're Underwater". Hakai Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  11. ^ O'Toole, Megan (August 29, 2022). "How sea level rise could sever a vital transport link in Canada". Al Jazeera. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Environment Canada 2006, p. 324, 4.5.1 Coastal erosion: Introduction.
  13. ^ Jaques, Tim (August 5, 2021). "'Significant' temperatures a threat to fish in province's rivers: researcher". The Daily Gleaner. p. A1. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Swansburg, E.; El-Jabi, N.; Caissie, D. (2004). Climate change in New Brunswick (Canada): statistical downscaling of local temperature, precipitation, and river discharge (PDF) (Report). Fisheries and Oceans Canada. p. x. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  15. ^ Comeau, Louise; Nunes, Daniel (June 2019). Healthy Climate, Healthy New Brunswickers: A proposal for New Brunswick that cuts pollution and protects health (PDF) (Report). Conservation Council of New Brunswick. p. 20. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "Climate Change Action Plan 2022–2027" (PDF). Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  17. ^ New Brunswick climate change action plan: 2007–2012 (PDF) (Report). Government of New Brunswick. 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  18. ^ New Brunswick climate change action plan: 2014–2020 (PDF) (Report). Government of New Brunswick. 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  19. ^ "Government releases new climate change action plan – Transitioning to a Low-carbon Economy". Government of New Brunswick. December 7, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "Updated climate change action plan released". Government of New Brunswick. September 21, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "2018, c.11 – Climate Change Act". Government of New Brunswick. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "Climate Change Act". Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  23. ^ Rousselle, Serge (December 16, 2017). "A made in New Brunswick plan to carbon pricing". The Daily Gleaner. p. A12. ProQuest 1977492605. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  24. ^ Brown, Silas (December 22, 2019). "N.B. legislature introduces new standing committee on climate change – New Brunswick". Global News. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  25. ^ "Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship". Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick. Retrieved September 17, 2024.

Works cited

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