Gonna be a long, hot summer says Environment Canada
Breakout the grills, shorts, and umbrellas because according to Environment Canada, most of Canada is going to be hotter than normal this summer (May through July). Drier, they aren’t sure yet, but conventional wisdom is pointing to the “well, yeah” spot on the dial.
You might think, sweet! Beach weather! Fun in the sun! There are serious problems that come with the dog days of summer (that saying comes from Roman times BTW, because Canis the dog star started to be visible in the night sky during the hottest part of the Roman summer). First let’s take food. For crops to grow they need enough water to match both growth and temperature. If it’s hotter, then not only do some plants grow faster (requiring more water), but water evaporates from the soil faster. You can see the problem here. Not enough rain … too dry for crops to grow well.
Now let’s look at human health. Hot weather means smog. Smog is bad for young children, people with asthma, and the elderly. Only option, stay inside or just reduce outdoor activity.
Now here’s the kicker. Power. Remember the blackout of 2003? More heat, more air conditioning. More air conditioning, more power needed. At is isn’t just people cooling their homes. Think of those tall buildings baking in the sun all day long. What about hospitals? They need to be cool.
Now, things you can do. Reduce water usage. Guys, washing your car is superfluous to your daily existence. Save some water for your food, drive a dirty car. Cut your lawn a little higher than you usually do (I try to keep my mower on almost the highest setting), longer lawns require less water … not that I suggest watering your lawn either. For power, if you have AC, let your house get a little warmer. Pull blinds during the hottest parts of the day, open windows at night. Try not to do laundry and heavy cooking (like the oven) at the peak evening time. Do laundry early morning and late evening.
Beyond what you can do as an individual, States and Provinces are getting together to work on regional accords on pollution and other things that can help reduce Greenhouse emissions.
Tags: hot summer, climate change, global warming, summer weather
2 Comments
I haven’t looked at the season forecast for Eastern Montana yet, but we’re already planning on “camping” in our basement during any heatwaves.
I have fond dreams of a grass-free or mostly-grass-free yard. It is nice with small children to have the open space for them to run and play, and not have to be concerned over things that are problems at playgrounds- like checking for broken glass or needles or animal poo. But what I really want is an oasis, something that reminds me of some strange mingling of nature trails in the wild and oriental gardens. Curving meandering paths, unexpected benches or chairs for sitting, trees & shrubs & flowers of various sizes and kinds, a few open terraces on which to grow potted vegetables or eat a spot of lunch, a water feature or three- perhaps a small fountain or stream that you can shut on or off, or a small pond with koi.
With so much of the space sheltered with foundation plants such as the trees, or covered with pathways and/or mulch, you can even slip in some things that need more water to thrive. Once well-established, many of the growing things I love will do quite well in semi-arid high plains desert climate that I live in.
I tend to dream huge, and then adapt it to fit reality.
Holy smokes Deb!