Climate and streamflow records in Alberta are generally less than 100 years in length. This is a very short time period, relative to the age of the earth. It can be difficult, using this short period of data to characterize how things might compare to the past, whether significant trends can be detected, and if recently observed patterns are driven primarily by natural phenomena or perhaps by human activity. The presence of cycles ranging from roughly decadal (about 10-20 years) to scales of thousands of years can be interpreted from recent and paleo-geologic records. The drivers of these cycles are complex and not well understood. The world's climate has always been changing and it will continue to do so. The current debate over climate change can be better characterized as a focus on whether humans are contributing to an apparent warming trend that has been observed in some places, including Alberta.

A discussion of temperature trends in Alberta can be found in recent temperature trends.

Additional information on water quantity trends in Alberta (for precipitation and streamflows) is found at recent water quantity trends.

For general information and helpful tips on what you can do about climate change, see the Alberta Environment climate change web page for Alberta's action plan on climate change.

What is Alberta Environment doing about Climate Change and Water Quantity

In recent years, the occurrences of extreme events like ice storms, droughts and floods have been on the rise worldwide and some researchers have speculated that the prospect of an increase in hydrologic extremes is related to climate warming. Given Canadian concerns on climate change, it is important to understand the potential impact of climate change in the Canadian Prairies.

Alberta Environment is the principal source of funding for the following project:

PROJECT TITLE:
Glacier Response to Climate Change in the South Saskatchewan River Basin and Potential Implications for Water Management

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:
To quantify the impact of climate change on the contribution of glacier wastewater to river flows in Alberta and more specifically to surface waters in the Bow and South Saskatchewan River Basins.

The Climate Change Action Fund of Natural Resources Canada is the principal source of funding for the following research. There are two connected projects, one concerning water supply and the other water demand and the vulnerability and adaptability of water users. Alberta Environment is an active member on both projects.

PROJECT 1:
Water Availability in the South Saskatchewan River Basin under Climate Change

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:
To predict the future water availability in the South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB) under the potential impact of climate change using hydrologic models calibrated to SSRB and forced by downscaled climate scenarios projected by some selected general circulation models (GCM).

PROJECT 2:
An Assessment of the Vulnerability of Key Water Use Sectors in the South Saskatchewan River Basin (Alberta and Saskatchewan) to Changes in Water Supply Resulting from Climate Change

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:
The major objective of this study is to assess the socio-economic impacts of climate change induced water resource availability on the key water withdrawal and use sectors in the South Saskatchewan River Basin.

These projects will take several years to complete. Final information and reports will be posted on this site.