.
Search
 Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleWrite letter to editor  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad  Print this page

Scientist sounds global warming alarm bells

Peter Crnogorac
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 15/06) - Yellowknife and the rest of the North are warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, which may force people and animals to adapt to a new climate, said a prominent environment expert.

Henry Hengeveld, a scientist with Environment Canada, spoke at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre on Nov. 8.

NNSL Photo/graphic

Scientist Henry Hengeveld speaks about the current state of climate change at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre. - Peter Crnogorac/NNSL photo

About 100 people came to the free presentation.

Much of Hengeveld's talk was on the theme of global warming and how it is affecting environments and cultures both local and global.

He said as the world's atmosphere warms, Yellowknife's temperature will rise faster than the world average.

"This is because of what is called feedback," said Hengeveld.

"When ice and snow melts, it's replaced by ocean, seas and the tundra over land masses. These surfaces trap the sunlight better than ice and snow, so the heating process is sped up."

Climate change has occurred throughout the earth's history. However, in the past 200 years - first sparked by the Industrial Revolution - burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused greenhouse gases to increase in the atmosphere.

These gases prevent the Earth's heat from escaping into space, causing its surface to warm.

Hengeveld also spoke of impending disasters scientists are predicting around the world.

"Canada should be ok," he said.

"But poorer and dryer countries, such as Africa, could face disastrous droughts in the next 100 years as global warming accelerates," he said.

Hengeveld predicts that Canada will be spared the human suffering and death that may occur in poorer countries around the world due to global warming. In Canada, and especially the North, damage will be measured through the huge costs associated with repairing infrastructure and protecting animal species.

"We are already seeing the damage in the North," he said. "Ice roads are melting at a faster pace and the winter cycle is changing."

The more freeze-thaw cycles there are in a winter season, the more damage is caused to roads and bridges, Hengeveld explained.

He said many species, especially the polar bear and seal, are at risk.

"Most species, such as humans, will adapt, but I'm worried about the polar bear," said Hengeveld.

"When the snow and ice leaves, it won't be able to adapt or leave for a more suitable environment. After all, where would they go?"