The rising average temperatures in NW Ontario this summer led to some droughts early in the growing season. I was looking forward to a great gardening year but it was very hard to get the veggies to take root and fruit trees to blossom without rain for weeks in May. Changes to weather patterns go with climate change and concern me. We need to do what we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the climate stable if drought/flood is the alternative, or it will be tough to adapt.

25% of all global climate change problems are attributed to our daily food choices. Livestock accounts for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. What we put on our plate matters. Eat more local fresh products and plant-based foods.

Climate change and warmer winters has increased snowfall, which has led to an increase in Lake Superiors water levels. As a sailor, this increase has been noticeable during the summer, and may eventually change available anchorages. Let’s fight climate change!

On my way home, I saw this house with solar panels on top. It shows a bright future for the home buyers. I believe that our next generation can live in a “net-zero” home, and the electrical-generation technology would be cheaper and simpler!

Changing weather patterns have increased the amount of snow fall. Excess amounts of snow can contribute to runoff pollution as there can be greater amounts of salt within these snow banks.

Image by Kate Greenwood. See full booklet of local youth climate art here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z_dM9ynM4RJgo1iXv0C0aeS2TgBCyk_L/view?usp=sharing

I don’t know how climate change will challenge my kids. We’re just starting to see the tip of the iceberg: the tip of the iceberg: crazy weather & seasons…It frightens me. I find courage in how great our kids are, what they will come up with that will help…

Due to climate change, we are experiencing extreme weather changes in Thunder Bay. This winter, we’ve had extreme temperatures and large amounts of snow. When all the snow melts, its going to swamp our stormwater management system and cause flooding to roads and homes.

Weather variance has caused a need for an increase in salt use on sidewalks and roadways. This salt is then carried away by runoff into our water bodies and is harmful to the water quality, the plant and animal life and habitats.

Lake Superiors temperature has been rising because of warmer winters and increasing air temperatures.