Voices of Change: Leetal from Toronto, Canada
"British Columbia, the country’s most western province, reveals a different environmental challenge with frequent forest fires."
What is your name and where are from?
I am Leetal Louie, a former student of the Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Originally from Vaughan City in Toronto, Canada.
Have you heard the term Climate change?
I heard about climate change from the news, from my friends and from research articles.
What is the climate over there?
I can attest to the extreme climate conditions in Toronto. Our city experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are really hot and winters are bitterly cold.
Do you guys see any changes in the climate during past few years
The temperature fluctuations are quite pronounced. However, my personal experience is somewhat limited as I spent most of my time shielded from the outdoor climate by air conditioning. Therefore, I cannot accurately state how the climate has changed over time. British Columbia, the country’s most western province, reveals a different environmental challenge with frequent forest fires. In Quebec, east of Ontario, we also faced a significant forest fire a couple of years ago. Forest fires remain a critical issue in Canada.
What does your family think about the climate change?
In the hot and dry climate where I grew up, my family had little awareness of climate change. We rarely discussed weather conditions. As a child, I vividly remember scorching summers and freezing winters. When I worked on farms in British Columbia, we started early in the morning and continued throughout the afternoon. However, our boss insisted that during the midday heat, farmers take breaks to avoid the extreme temperatures. Interestingly, in Vancouver (British Columbia), winters bring heavy rain instead of snow. I once drove from Vancouver to Toronto, spending 14 hours on the road each day for a week. Vancouver’s rainy winters contrast sharply with Toronto’s snowy ones.
What is your opinion on climate change, why does it occur, and what is the main cause?
Since 1948, Canada’s average temperature has risen by 1.7 degrees Celsius. Despite this, I personally haven’t noticed significant climate changes. To address climate change, we must prioritize green spaces, thoughtful city planning, and widespread public awareness. Cities lacking green spaces and natural surroundings contribute to intense heat. Education about climate change should be compulsory in schools.
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