B.C. residents' climate change anxiety spikes as province warms faster than global average
Over 55 per cent of British Columbians report high concern about climate change, the fourth-highest rate in Canada, as the province experiences warming at twice the global rate.
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British Columbians are among the most stressed about climate change in the country, with over 55 per cent reporting high concern, according to a new Statistics Canada study released this week.
The Insights on Canadian Society study found that over half of all Canadians are "very" or "extremely concerned about climate change." B.C. ranks fourth nationally in terms of residents with high concern, trailing only Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. However, over a third of British Columbians report being stressed about climate change at least once a month — the second-highest percentage in the country, above the national average.
Statistics Canada notes that climate-related hazards can have major impacts on mental health, with some Canadians experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety.
"Canada is not immune to these changes — in fact, its rate of warming is about twice the global rate, and its Arctic regions are warming even faster," the agency wrote in its study introduction.
B.C.'s recent climate history underscores the concern. In 2021, the province experienced an unprecedented, deadly heat dome from June 25 to July 1 that resulted in 619 deaths — the deadliest weather event in B.C.'s history. Vancouver was hardest hit, with 117 of those deaths occurring within the city. Scientists determined the heat dome would have been "virtually impossible without human-caused climate change."
This past winter, B.C.'s temperature was on average 1.9°C warmer than normal for 38 days. And in May, Vancouver broke a 128-year-old heat record, reaching 23.9°C on May 4 — a difference of over 1.7°C from the previous record of 22.2°C set in 1896.
Statistics Canada noted that youth and young adults are particularly vulnerable to climate anxiety, as they are likely to be disproportionately affected by future climate disruption.
