Impacts of Climate Change
The term climate change is often used synonymously with 'global warming'. While the planet is getting warmer, this is only part of the story.
Impacts of Climate Change
The term climate change is often used synonymously with 'global warming'. While the planet is getting warmer, this is only part of the story. Climate change will bring a broad range of impacts globally and locally. In Newfoundland and Labrador, climate change is expected to bring weather that is warmer, wetter and stormier. Outlined below are examples of how climate change may affect our province, including environmental impacts and the potential risks and opportunities associated with each.
| Climate Effect | Impacts |
|---|---|
| Increasing Air Temperatures Temperatures are rising throughout the world. Newfoundland and Labrador is already 1.5°C warmer than the historical average and areas of the province could be between 2.2°C and 4.0°C warmer by mid-century. |
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| Increasing Sea Surface Temperatures While sea surface temperatures vary regionally, they have been higher during the past three decades than at any other time since reliable data collection began in 1880.2 |
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| Rising Sea Level As temperatures rise, Arctic ice is melting and sea levels are rising. A study from 2010 estimates that sea-level rise around Newfoundland and Labrador could be as high as 40 centimeters by 2050 and 100 centimeters by 2100.3 |
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| More Extreme Weather Warming waters mean stronger storms are able to reach northern areas more frequently. It's expected that, in certain areas of the province, storm activity could increase significantly. |
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References
Impacts of Climate Change
To learn more about how climate change is affecting Newfoundland and Labrador, check out this interactive tool on the Impacts of Climate Change.
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Find out more about the Opportunities in the Green Economy.