Chapter 2 Videos with Critical Thinking Exercises

Canada's Physical Base

Video 1: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - The National. Climate change and a path forward for Canada | Climate Panel [video]. CBC/Radio-Canada; 2019.

Link       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tj_2507rv4.

Length 11 minutes 4 seconds

Short Description

  • This video includes discussion of the path forward for Canadians with respect to climate change. Canada is warming at twice the rate of the global average and permafrost in Northern Canada is thawing, shifting the ground under people’s feet and altering the foundations beneath buildings. The whole circumpolar north is on permafrost and the physical environment has changed substantially over the past 50 years. Communities and government face questions of how to mitigate impacts to northern infrastructure (buildings, highways) and finance upgrades.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. Permafrost in northern Canada is thawing and the situation over the past 50 years has changed dramatically. Describe ways in which communities and government may mitigate impacts to northern infrastructure.
  2. Which areas of Canada will be more vulnerable to climate change and why?

 

Video 2: Wendover Productions. Canada’s new shipping shortcut [video]. Wendover Productions; 2017. 11m.

Link       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDwtO4RWmo.

Length  11 minutes

Short Description

  • This video provides insight into the opportunities and implications of melting ice in the Arctic. The melting ice may provide more opportunities for shipping and tourism in northern waters.  The future year-round navigability of the Northwest Passage may make the Arctic the most single influential region in the next century. This video touches on geopolitical issues tied with climate change.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. In the future, more navigable water in Canada's north may present opportunities for shipping, tourism, and resource extraction. Given that a portion of the Arctic Ocean seabed lies in international waters, which nations’ rights will prevail in this area? Discuss in relation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  2. Describe potential security concerns and geopolitical implications to Canada of increased commercial activity in northern waters.

 

Video 3: Harris, K. Changing climate and environment of Western Canada documentary [video]. Changing Cold Regions Network; 2018.

Link       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8IbgckLy6k.

Length  36 minutes 14 seconds

Short Description

  • This video focuses on Western Canada’s rapidly changing cold interior and how the climate and environment have changed and will continue to change. This documentary includes discussion of impacts on forestry (increased wildfires; pine beetles) and agriculture (drought, irrigation) in British Columbia and the prairie provinces.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. The changing climate has the potential to severely impact forestry and agriculture in Western Canada. Discuss.
  2. In addition to wildfires, drought, and melting ice caps, how may Canada's physical environment be affected by climate change?
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