For thousands of years humans have taken for granted that we would have winter and summer, a planting season and harvest season. Suddenly we’re finding climatic variations are changing that conception of seasonality.

Winnipeg’s 2011/2012 winter was one of the warmest in the city’s record, challenging all time highs for the month of January and even breaking the all time high for Jan. 5at 6.3 degrees C.

Looking to the south, the U.S. has had a serious drought throughout the 2012 growing period. Specifically in the central and midwest regions of the country, states have experienced exceptionally severe droughts.

Local residents of Elie, MB will recall what in 2007 the CBC described as the most powerful tornado in Canadian history:

“Environment Canada analysts recently examined fresh video evidence of the June 22 storm that helped confirm it as the only officially confirmed tornado in Canada to be rated F-5 on the Fujita scale.”

Yet another troubling manifestation of a global warming-influenced natural disaster is visible in the damage incurred to the U.S. East Coast by Hurricane Sandy.

Collectively, the increased frequency and severity of incidences like these might be best viewed as precursors to much more serious climatic changes in the coming years, further impinging upon things like agriculture and the ability to maintain food security.

Concerned citizens interested in getting involved in the fight against climate change are welcomed to join in the discussion: 

Date: Nov. 26, 2012 

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Place: Third floor, Mountain Equipment Co-op building, 303 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB.