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Indicator Type: Environmental Condition
This indicator provides the average annual temperature trend for four different areas of Alberta (Fort Chipewyan, Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat). It also shows the trend in the 30-year average temperature. This is called the long-term normal.
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What does the indicator show?
The average temperature is quite variable from year to year. Climate variation, however, can be observed over a period of 30 years, as the graph shows. The 30-year average (or long-term normal) has generally increased from the 1900's to the present time. There was an increase in the long-term normal from the 1900's to approximately 1950. After that period, there was a decrease from 1950 to the early 1960's. There has been an overall increase in the average (long-term) temperature from the 1970's to the present.
Out of the four Alberta locations presented here, Fort Chipewyan, in northern Alberta, has the lowest average temperature. Medicine Hat, in southern Alberta, has the highest average temperature. All four stations show relatively the same temperature trends from the 1900's to the present.
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Why is this indicator important?
Examining temperature variability and trends over the province of Alberta makes it possible to develop strategies for climate change adaptation for the province. Changes in temperature, or weather, include the minute-to-minute and day-to-day variations at a specific location. Climate change, however, is the variability in the average weather conditions over a particular area and time period. Climate variation is typically observed over a period of 30 years.
Many factors contribute to variation in temperature: cloud cover, wind, urban activities, and of course seasonal variations (variations in the amount and intensity of solar energy received at the earth's surface). Variations in the earth's climate have naturally taken place since the beginning of time, with the transition from ice ages to warmer interglacial periods. These types of natural variation, however, take place over very large time frames. There is debate as to whether human activities have contributed to climatic variation at an increased rate. The increase in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) continues to be studied as a possible contributor to global warming, or the enhanced 'Greenhouse Effect'. If human activities continue to add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, at increasing rates, more long-wave radiation is absorbed by these gases. This could lead to an increase in the Earth's temperature.
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What actions are being taken?
The Alberta Government is committed to addressing the issue of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The focus is on improving energy efficiency, enhancing technology to control industrial emissions, seeking out renewable energy sources, and better emissions management. In 2002, the Alberta Government released Albertans & Climate Change: Taking Action. This plan establishes a framework and specific actions the province will take on its long-term journey towards reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The plan was prepared in consultation with stakeholders and the public.
In November 2004 the Alberta Government implemented a comprehensive Specified Gas Reporting Program. This mandatory emissions reporting program was developed as part of the Government of Alberta's climate change action plan. The goal is to help industry better manage its emissions. This will give the government a more complete understanding of the nature of these emissions.
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