Canada has the world's longest coastline, the second-largest land mass and an enviable abundance of fresh water. Thus, by definition, the consequences of atmospheric warming must hit Canada arguably more than for most countries that lack vast territory, immense coastlines and so much fresh water.
Put another way, this piece of geography called Canada is on the front lines of the global warming struggle – although you wouldn't realize it watching the federal government.
The effects of atmospheric warming on Canada are already apparent. Every sentient Canadian must have seen or heard about the disappearance of Arctic ice cover. You can argue that sunspots cause this phenomenon, or that this de-icing is normal, but you'd be with the fringe disbelievers in climate change.
In Alberta, the largest provincial per capita emitter of greenhouse gases, the government just announced a $25-million program to combat the mountain pine beetle. That insect has already ravaged British Columbia's pine forest. If trends continue, it will show up in Saskatchewan, the second-largest provincial per capita emitter.
The pine beetle is nothing new. It's struck before, but it was always killed off by the very cold winters made much rarer by atmospheric warming. There's been none of that kind in recent years, so the pine beetle has enjoyed immunity – and caused untold damage to ordinary people and their communities.
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