It is not without reason that the media have increased alerts in recent days warning of the imminence of a major heatwave hitting Quebec — and that’s it, here we are! Of all the concrete effects of global warming, extreme heat waves are among the most concrete and merciless, even taking lives in their wake because their consequences are so imposing. You must therefore prepare for them and deal with them like an extreme weather phenomenon. But are we equipped to deal with it?
At the end of the day, Monday, humidity had fallen on several regions of Quebec, suggesting days of heaviness that would be painful for the majority, apart from these exceptional beings who liked to wallow in the heat. Environment Canada predicts that a humidex index of more than 40 degrees Celsius extending its harmful effects over three days is expected in certain cities, including Montreal. For thousands of vulnerable citizens, this stifling heat creates a real health risk. In health establishments and residences for the elderly, an emergency protocol must be put into motion because lives are at stake. For all the students who are preparing to end their school year this week, we must hope that it there are some water games and fans running at high speed on the program. Adolescents who have ministry exams to complete in the coming days will not have the ideal context for success if the class is stifling, this must be the case. say. Special thought also for all workers forced to perform tasks outside.
For Quebec at least, global warming is reflected in the most concrete way possible by these heatwaves which are multiplying, stretching out over time and occurring earlier and earlier. 2023 has been crowned the hottest year on record in history. The Earth has in fact reached an average temperature which was 1.48°C higher than in the pre-industrial era. This result comes dangerously close to the 1.5°C limit established by the 2015 Paris Agreement. In this cycle of very bad news, the Group of Experts on Adaptation to Climate Change (GEA), created by the government Legault has just warned that our collective and global slowness in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is leading us straight into a wall: by the end of the century, warming could exceed 4° C in southern Quebec.
Barely ten years ago, Quebec recorded an average of three days over 32°C. Experts estimate that by 2040, this average could be more than 20 days, and almost 50 days by the end of the century. These longer and sustained episodes of extreme heat have their share of serious consequences on the population and the environment: shortages of drinking water to be expected, abnormally high mortality rates, more numerous and imposing forest fires, such as those of 2023, which have consumed some 4.5 million hectares of our forests.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that of all the effects of global warming, extreme heat waves are the deadliest factor. They can also exacerbate medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health issues and asthma, in addition to sometimes contributing to the acceleration of the transmission of infectious diseases. In 2010, a particularly oppressive heatwave hit Quebec, resulting in the deaths of 280 people. In 2018, 103 people died from it. We will also remember the infamous heat wave of 2003, which caused the deaths of 70,000 people in Europe.
Such severe findings should first and foremost mobilize the world’s populations towards a common objective of reducing GHG emissions. Alas, our collective numbness seems impervious to statistics, even the worst. Closer to home, can our institutions and municipalities do more to mitigate the harmful effects of heat waves? Yes, many adaptation strategies could be better deployed. We can of course think of the early opening of outdoor swimming pools or extended hours for indoor pools. An increase in outdoor water features and misters in cities. To greater flexibility in organizations, like these schools where parents came up against the crass bureaucracy of the system by wanting to mobilize to equip classes with air conditioners.
Beyond these concrete actions intended to provide immediate relief, we must also counter the stifling effects of heat islands by planting trees, so as to create refreshing vegetation zones. Consider the layout of new streets to allow wind circulation; increase the number of green roofs and green walls; construct new buildings with excellent insulation and ventilation systems. While waiting (and hoping) for a reversal of trends, public policies must be orchestrated so as to mitigate the effects of these heat strokes on citizens as much as possible.