Cold Climate

YCCIC’s focus on the convergence of cold climate science and entrepreneurship is timely and necessary. Most North Americans experience a cold climate for some part of the year, and rising energy costs and new stresses associated with climate change are becoming significant factors for cities and industries located in these cold regions. 

Tens of millions of people in the Rockies, the Prairies, Central Canada and northern and mid-eastern United States have long, cold winters. For half a million North Americans living north of 60° latitude, a cold climate is their year-round reality. Resource potential in northern areas is significant, including energy mega-projects like the Alaska natural gas pipeline, Athabaska Tar Sands and Mackenzie Valley pipeline. The operational reality of these kinds of projects includes significant challenges associated with functioning in a cold climate. 

The impacts of climate change are also creating new stresses and new opportunities as communities and industry face adaptation of infrastructure to a cold climate and climate change dynamics. Climate change is a major driver of government policy and funding programs, and adaptation to climate change is increasingly an important factor in industry and municipal decisions around northern infrastructure.

Data sources:

Environment Canada Climate Data
Natural Resources Canada – Geological Survey of Canada
Canadian Mountain Encyclopedia