Les changements climatiques et vagues de chaleur

Climate change is making heatwaves in Canada more frequent, intense, and prolonged, with the country warming twice as fast as the global average. These events are linked to increased mortality, severe health risks, and the amplification of wildfires, such as the 2021 British Columbia heat dome. The economic burden is significant, with projected annual costs of $3 billion for health-related deaths and quality of life losses by mid-century, alongside billions in infrastructure damage and productivity losses. Adaptation strategies, including indoor cooling and resilient infrastructure, are recommended to mitigate these risks.

• Canada is experiencing accelerated warming compared to the global average, with the Canadian Arctic warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the world.
• Climate change has increased the frequency of 'heat domes'—persistent high-pressure systems that trap hot air—making them nearly three times more common than in 1950.
• Extreme heat amplifies wildfire risks by increasing the likelihood of lightning strikes and drying out vegetation, as seen during the 2021 British Columbia heatwave where active fires jumped from six to 175.
• Heat-related health impacts include cardiovascular accidents, respiratory disorders, kidney disease, pregnancy complications, and mental health issues such as increased anxiety and depression.
• The 2021 heatwave in British Columbia caused approximately 619 heat-related deaths, making it the deadliest disaster in the province's history; without adaptation, the province could see an average of 2,200 heat-related deaths annually by 2050.
• Economic losses from extreme heat are substantial: health-related costs in Canada are projected to reach $3 billion annually by mid-century, and the manufacturing sector could lose $1 to $2 billion per year by 2050 due to reduced labor productivity.
• Infrastructure damage from heat and precipitation is projected to cost an additional $9.8 billion annually for roads, bridges, tunnels, and public transit between 2025 and 2100 if adaptation measures are not taken.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2026). Les changements climatiques et vagues de chaleur. https://institutclimatique.ca/news/fiche-de-renseignements-changements-climatiques-et-vagues-de-chaleur/

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. Les changements climatiques et vagues de chaleur. 2026. https://institutclimatique.ca/news/fiche-de-renseignements-changements-climatiques-et-vagues-de-chaleur/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=Les changements climatiques et vagues de chaleur |date=2 July 2026 |url=https://institutclimatique.ca/news/fiche-de-renseignements-changements-climatiques-et-vagues-de-chaleur/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2026les, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{Les changements climatiques et vagues de chaleur}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2026}, month = jul, url = {https://institutclimatique.ca/news/fiche-de-renseignements-changements-climatiques-et-vagues-de-chaleur/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }