The Weather Network - As climate change impacts flooding, swaths of Canada risk becoming uninsurable
“We as a country need to be better prepared to deal with these emergencies when they come up, because we’re going to have more and more weather events that will be very impactful for many people,”
What Toronto's climate zone could resemble in the not-too-distant future. (Still via Water is the New Fire)
This article from The Weather Network explores the growing risk of uninsurability in Canada due to climate change-induced flooding. The increasing frequency and intensity of flooding events have raised concerns about the sustainability of current insurance practices.
Canada is facing significant challenges with more severe and widespread flood events. Recent intense rainfall in cities like Ottawa and Halifax, as well as provinces like Alberta and British Columbia has caused major flooding, often worsened by factors such as reduced vegetation due to wildfires. These events highlight the urgent need for improved flood management strategies and insurance solutions.
Blair Feltmate, head of The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo, emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address the escalating flood risk. As the country deals with the effects of climate change, there is a growing recognition of the need for innovative solutions and collaborative action to protect communities from flooding.
In response to this crisis, the federal government plans to introduce a special flood insurance program in 2025. This initiative aims to make flood insurance accessible to property owners in high-risk zones, ensuring that those affected can afford necessary coverage. Cheryl Evans, director of flood and wildfire resilience at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, highlights the importance of up-to-date flood maps and comprehensive risk assessments to guide these efforts.
With increasing flood risks, Canada is ready to confront its challenges directly. By prioritizing long-term sustainability in flood management, the country can move towards a more secure future. Strategic retreats and adaptation measures, such as those implemented in Edmonton, showcase how communities can effectively respond to the threat of flooding.
As Canada and the broader global community face the realities of a changing climate and the associated risks to water resources, the importance of initiatives like Canada1Water (C1W) cannot be ignored. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and informed decision-making, C1W holds the potential to drive significant change and shape a more secure water future for Canada and beyond.