Thursday, July 10News That Matters

Tag: canada

Wildfire smoke blankets one-third of U.S., raising health alarms

Wildfire smoke blankets one-third of U.S., raising health alarms

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment
June 5, 2025 A dense blanket of wildfire smoke from more than 200 fires burning across Canada has shrouded nearly one-third of the United States, triggering widespread air quality alerts and renewed concerns about public health. The smoke, drifting from blazes in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, has turned skies hazy and pushed toxic pollution levels to hazardous highs in parts of New England, New York, and the Midwest. According to the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center, the smoke has spread from the Dakotas through the Ohio Valley and into the Northeastern states, reaching as far south as Georgia. While much of the smoke remains suspended in the upper atmosphere, areas like New York and Connecticut are experiencing a heavier concentratio...
Canada Faces a Dual Climate Crisis: Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat Threaten Public Health

Canada Faces a Dual Climate Crisis: Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat Threaten Public Health

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As climate change intensifies, Canadians are increasingly being forced to cope with the combined threat of extreme heat and wildfire smoke two environmental hazards that not only overlap during the hottest months of the year, but also amplify each other’s impacts on health. From the devastating 2023 wildfire season to the deadly 2021 heat dome, recent events have shown that these climate risks are no longer isolated. Now, they’re occurring together more frequently, more intensely, and with serious health consequences. More Than Just Smoke or Heat: The Rising Danger of Combined Exposure While there’s robust scientific evidence linking wildfire smoke to hospitalizations for lung and heart conditions and heat waves to deadly strokes and cardiovascular stress most research has looked...
Canada over 540,000 New Homes Built in flood-prone Areas to Tackle climate risks

Canada over 540,000 New Homes Built in flood-prone Areas to Tackle climate risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
A groundbreaking report highlights how Canada can tackle its housing needs while avoiding catastrophic climate risks. It’s the first study in the country to quantify the economic damage of building homes in flood and wildfire-prone areas, urging a shift away from hazard zones to save billions and protect communities. The analysis warns that by 2030, over 540,000 new homes could be built in flood-prone areas, leading to $2 billion in annual damages. The financial burden will hit Manitoba and the Yukon hardest, with each new home in high-risk zones adding $1,200 per year in extra costs. The report calls for urgent action, recommending that housing developments be placed in safer areas. By planning smarter, Canada can prevent escalating disaster costs while ensuring its citizens have se...
New Canadian Climate Tracker Highlights Soaring Costs of Climate Disasters, Calls for Proactive Adaptation

New Canadian Climate Tracker Highlights Soaring Costs of Climate Disasters, Calls for Proactive Adaptation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Attribution science has become increasingly precise in linking extreme weather events to climate change, and a new tracker from the Canadian Climate Institute (CCI) is emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures to limit the damage caused by climate-fueled disasters. The online tool provides real-time data on the financial toll of wildfires, floods, and droughts across the country, using media reports to paint a stark picture of the growing costs. This summer alone, Toronto and Jasper, separated by 3,400 kilometers, faced significant climate-related losses. According to the Toronto Star, a single afternoon of heavy rain in Toronto on July 16 could result in damages exceeding C$1 billion. Meanwhile, as reported by CBC and confirmed by CCI’s tracker, the wildfire that ravaged Jaspe...