Environmental Trends 2007

Climate Change

Overview - What is happening?

Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation

As greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere increase, global temperatures are also rising because more energy from the sun is being trapped by the atmosphere. Records show that global temperatures, averaged world-wide over the land and sea, have been rising. British Columbia is experiencing a pattern of warming consistent with broader North American and global trends.

  • Since 1950 average temperatures have increased at most recording stations. The greatest increase was recorded in the northern and interior regions.

  • Climate models project a continuing warming pattern, with temperature increases of 2-4ºC throughout the province by 2050.

  • Sea surface water has become warmer all along the B.C. coast over the last 50 years, with increases of up to 0.9°C in water temperature at the warmest locations. Deep water in inlets has also been warming.

  • Precipitation patterns over the last 50 years show that winters throughout most of the province have been drier, while spring and summer seasons have been wetter. Climate model projections for mid-century suggest different patterns of precipitation in the future: the north eastern areas may become wetter and the southern interior may become marginally drier in the winter. The southern and coast regions are both projected to become drier in the summer.

  • Relative sea level has risen at Prince Rupert, Vancouver and Victoria over the last 50 years. Low-lying areas at greatest risk from rising sea levels include the Fraser Delta and the Naikoon area of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

  • Total greenhouse gas emissions rose about 30 per cent between 1990 and 2004, in line with increasing population. In 2005, emissions were slightly lower than in 2004. However, greenhouse gas emissions per person have remained about the same since the 1990s.

  • Since 2002, B.C. drivers have been driving fewer kilometres each year and sales of smaller passenger cars have been increasing relative to sales of larger vehicles, such as light trucks and SUVs.

Air and ocean temperatures have been rising globally.

Annual global land temperature and ocean temperature (ºC), relative to the average temperature for 1961–1990

Source: National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth Report [pdf].

Next: Long-term trends in air temperature >>