The Effects of Climate Change in Quebec

You may be wondering how Quebec could be affected by global warming in the coming years. While many people don’t yet realize it, the truth is that the effects of climate change are already being felt across the province. 

EBI Enviro Urgence is a company committed to a greener future. Not only do we help individuals and companies manage their hazardous waste and contaminated soil, but we also consider it our duty to educate Quebecers about the environmental implications of their decisions and behaviour.

To that end, we have prepared this article to shed light on some of consequences of the climate emergency that are already sweeping Quebec.

The environmental implications of climate change in Quebec

When we think of global warming, the first thing that comes to mind is milder winters and hotter summers. However, the effects of climate change are actually much more complex than we realize. While temperatures have indeed been trending upwards for decades, the warmer weather has profound effects on countless environmental systems, leading to a wide array of concerning phenomena. Here are a few examples.

More extreme weather events and flooding

As the Earth warms, more and more moisture gets trapped in the air masses that pass over eastern North America. This has several consequences.

First of all, there has been an increase in precipitation extremes over the last few decades. Weather events such as thunderstorms, snowstorms and tornadoes have become more frequent and more violent.

Many homeowners who live in flood-prone areas are already being affected by this phenomenon. In spring, when heavy rains coincide with snowmelt, rivers can overflow their banks.

More heat waves

The increase in average temperatures in Quebec also comes with longer, more intense heat waves. Long heat waves create ideal conditions for forest fires, which are on the rise across Quebec and Canada.

Precipitation extremes don’t just mean intense rain and snowfall—they can also be characterized by long dry spells that have serious consequences for farmers whose crops require abundant water. 

Declining animal populations

As their natural habitat changes due to global warming, many species of animals in Quebec are experiencing population decline. 

Just think about polar bears, who need sea ice to hunt seals, their main source of food. As the ice recedes due to the milder temperatures in northern Quebec, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the animals to feed themselves. They are being forced to venture further and further from their usual hunting grounds, which sometimes takes them too close to populated areas. 

Biodiversity shifting northwards

As climate change progresses, plant species such as trees are gradually shifting towards higher latitudes and altitudes.

Scientists estimate that for each degree Celsius the Earth warms, the trees in the Northern Hemisphere are likely to shift their ranges 100 km northwards. This phenomenon means that the composition of Quebec’s forests is slowly changing.

Just like the plant life, harmful insects are also moving further and further north as the climate warms. It’s no coincidence that Quebec’s forests are becoming increasingly affected by pests.

Thawing permafrost

Permafrost is soil that stays frozen throughout the year. In northern Quebec, it is used as the foundation for a lot of buildings and road infrastructure.

Between 1960 and 2010, the permafrost line in Quebec moved 130 km further north. In addition to threatening infrastructure, thawing permafrost also releases greenhouse gases that were trapped in the frozen soil, accelerating climate change.

The consequences of climate change on Quebec society

Climate change is already costing society dearly. The government of Quebec is investing significant amounts every year to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures. 

Here are a few of the sectors that are requiring more and more investment to counter the effects of climate change.

Infrastructure

Freeze-thaw cycles are increasing in frequency, causing a great deal of damage to the road network and its structures (bridges, overpasses, culverts, etc.). More and more public funds need to be invested in their maintenance to keep them in acceptable condition. 

Rising water levels are causing flooding and accelerating coastal erosion, forcing governments to fund construction work to protect waterside infrastructure.

Public health and safety

There are several consequences of climate change that require the Quebec government to increase public health and safety spending.

For example, governments have had to spend significant amounts of money helping flood victims. Rising temperatures can also compound serious health problems (e.g. respiratory diseases) in some individuals, requiring medical intervention that is paid for by public funds.

Measures to mitigate climate change

There are a great many measures that can help mitigate climate change. However, they must be adopted by large numbers of individuals, corporations and governments in order to be truly effective. That means that it’s vital for companies to take concrete action to fight greenhouse gas emissions and preserve ecosystems. 

EBI sets a great example as an eco-friendly company—its many subsidiaries help individuals and businesses reduce their environmental footprint in a variety of ways.

Waste management and recycling

EBI helps thousands of households and businesses manage their waste. From waste collection and sorting to the recovery of hazardous materials, many of the group’s divisions are working hard to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling.

Wastewater management and sanitary facilities

EBI is also a leader in sanitation. By maximizing the efficiency of public sewers and septic systems, EBI helps prevent pollutants from entering the soil and drinking water. 

Cleaner transportation

The majority of the vehicles in EBI's fleet run on natural gas, a fuel that causes much less pollution than gasoline or diesel. This means that the fleet produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than it would using regular fuel.

Furthermore, EBI can help other Quebec entrepreneurs adopt compressed natural gas to fuel their heavy vehicles.

EBI Enviro Urgence can help you be part of the solution

Climate change isn’t just a grim vision of the future—its impact is already being felt around the world, and Quebec is no exception. Fortunately, the public is becoming increasingly aware of the situation, and many companies like EBI are taking concrete steps to turn the tide.

Want to go green to help fight climate change and preserve ecosystems? EBI Enviro Urgence can help! 

For example, you can contact us to get rid of your old oil tank. You can also enlist our services in the event of an environmental emergency to prevent it from becoming an ecological disaster.

Call us to find out more about how we can help your household or company reduce its environmental footprint.