Canadians across the country mark Remembrance Day
Canadians gathered Monday in cities and towns across the country to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.
After a summer of raging wildfires that affected the air quality of multiple communities in North America, headed by researchers from the University of Waterloo suggests that climate change will quadruple the number of air quality alerts in the U.S. by the year 2100.
Researchers from Canada and the U.S. found that in about 75 years, people would need to stay indoors for 142 extra days per year in order to avoid additional health risks from intensifying air pollution.
The increase in air quality alerts, which occur when the Air Quality Index (AQI) gets too high, will be greatest in the eastern half of the U.S., with people experiencing homelessness or those in homes that allow polluted air in not getting adequate health protections.
Dr. Rebecca Saari, senior author of the study and associate professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Waterloo, said this will disproportionately affect areas with high Black populations and leakier homes, widening existing inequalities and impacting those less able to adapt.
"Air pollution disproportionately impacts vulnerable people in the U.S.,鈥 .
Staying indoors for an additional 20 extra weeks per year would cost a person an average of $5,600, based on the cost of their lost outdoor time and the benefit of reduced health risks, the study notes. It suggests this is neither desirable nor realistic.
The researchers conclude that relying on individuals to take the necessary steps to adapt will likely be ineffective without policy measures to increase adherence to safety measures. This includes reducing costs for those trying to stay inside, taking the initiative to repair air leaks or improve the air quality of buildings, as well as providing help for those who live or work outdoors to adapt.
"The prevailing advice (of staying indoors) helps the most if people can live and work in buildings with clean indoor air. It is unlikely to protect against the rising risks of climate change without additional policy," Saari said.
Canada saw a major decline in air quality in 2023, largely due to the wildfires which occurred in several provinces and territories throughout the spring and summer. The smoke produced from these wildfires reached Canadians in every province and territory and even spread south of the border, affecting much of the northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.
Drifting smoke from the Alberta wildfires created clouds of haze and triggered air quality alerts in Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as major U.S. cities like Chicago and Detroit. At one point in early June 2023, Quebec's wildfires led to New York City topping the list of the world's worst air pollution.
At several points through last June and July, a number of Canadian cities, including , and had some of the worst air quality on the planet. On June 7, National Clean Air Day, Canada had the poorest air quality of any country in the world.
Canada would end up producing nearly a quarter of the global wildfire emissions in 2023, according to the environmental observation department of the European Union's Space program.
Saari said policymakers must ensure that greenhouse gas emissions that cause air pollution and climate change are addressed.
鈥淩educing emissions would be the most effective way to mitigate an increasing, unfair burden of air pollution as the climate changes," she added. "In order to protect our health equitably from air pollution, we need both mitigation and adaptation."
Canadians gathered Monday in cities and towns across the country to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the country's values and principles.
Canada has announced changes to their visitor visa policies, effectively ending the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas, according to new rules outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is naming longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, to be the deputy chief of policy in his new administration.
Toy giant Mattel says it 'deeply' regrets an error on the packaging of its 'Wicked' movie-themed dolls, which mistakenly links toy buyers to a pornographic website.
If Earth's astronomical observatories were to pick up a signal from outer space, it would need an all-hands-on-deck effort to decipher the extraterrestrial message. A father-daughter team of citizen scientists recently deciphered the message. Its meaning, however, remains a mystery.
Business groups are raising concerns about the broad effects of another round of labour disruptions in the transport sector as Canada faces shutdowns at its two biggest ports.
A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.
Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court鈥檚 2022 Dobbs decision eliminated the federal right to abortion, miscarriage management has become trickier and in some cases, deadlier.
A congestion crisis, a traffic nightmare, or unrelenting gridlock -- whatever you call it, most agree that Toronto has a congestion problem. To alleviate some of the gridlock, the Ontario government has announced it plans to remove bike lanes from three major roadways.
For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.
Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.
A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.
A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.
Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.
A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.