Heat wave in Canada: “We’ll see more these days”

After the fires that completely destroyed the village of Lytton, Canada is debating climate protection. Experts are certain: Extreme heat waves will come more frequently – and hit all parts of the country.

House by house. A whole place. Lytton burned down. After days of heat of up to 50 degrees Celsius, the forests in the province of British Columbia are on fire. A desperate mayor Jan Polderman said on Canadian television: “The whole village is on fire. It’s terrible. I sent them away. I wanted everyone to go.”

Neighboring communities have taken in the residents of Lytton. But some did not get there. Over 60 forests are burning in the coastal province. But also in neighboring Alberta. Hundreds of people had to get to safety in a hurry.

Melting snow as the next danger

And the next danger is there: there are massive flood warnings. Because the extreme heat triggered snowmelt in the mountains. People fear for their houses. Some for their existence. Canada’s farmers fear severe crop losses.

British Columbia’s Prime Minister John Horgan takes stock: “The big lesson these days is that climate change is not just imagination, it is there.”

Trudeau promises financial help

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised reconstruction aid to Lytton. The government will support the entire region to cope with the aftermath of the heat wave. But at the same time it is clear to everyone that this is not enough.

Environment Secretary Jonathan Wilkinson says: “We need to think about how we adapt to climate change. And we got a glimpse of what we will see in the years to come.”

Appropriate platforms for thinking about this adaptation have existed in Canada for years. Environmental activists criticize that they would not be able to find quick solutions even now.

Climate experts have already warned: The next heat wave is bound to come. Canada is getting warmer and warmer, says Gordon McBean from Western University: “We will experience more of these hot days in all parts of Canada. And it is important that we adapt our society and economy to the changing climate. In order to remain resilient.”

The phenomenon of the so-called heat dome – as experienced in the past few days – has always existed. But once every 1000 years. Climate change will change that.