Winter sports are in danger

after A snowless Christmas in most parts of Canadathe winter sports season has decreased significantly, indicating that Climate change It changes the traditions of the people of this country who are accustomed to the cold.

January income, in Ignace Bourget Park in MontrealHockey fields are not installed. Instead, workers take advantage of a subzero day to apply A A thin layer of water over the ice in construction.

Climate change in Canada is impacting winter sports

“I've been working in the city of Montreal for 20 years, and it's really extraordinary to see such a late opening of ski areas,” he said. France Press agency Martin Letendrewearing winter uniform.

He and his team water the ice day and night to maintain the city's outdoor rinks.. But, about a month into the year's vacation, most of it 250 natural sites Designed for this sport It remains closed to the public.

“Under normal circumstances, we try to open before Christmas, on December 21 or 22. But this year that will be later.” Letendre lamented.

What would have to happen for there to be ice rinks?

TeaThe thermometer should drop below -4°CDuring the day “for three consecutive days” there is a layer of ice 15 cm thick.

“This year it's taken longer than usual for the cold to set in,” said Charles-Antoine Rondeau, a Montreal resident who was walking through Jarry Park, a large public space that usually includes three rinks. All three remain closed.

“It is a pity that it changes our traditions.”This young professor notices.

What would Canadians do without rinks?

Without being able to skateJuliette Ruggeri running“When we see that, we necessarily think it's related to climate change, which is worrying, because we can actually see the difference.”

Canada, This is due to its geographical location and low temperatures It registers a faster temperature rise Like other regions of the planet, in recent years it has faced extreme weather events that are increasing in intensity and frequency.

The study conducted in Canada on global warming

in the capital, OttawaMild winter last year, Banned for the first time OpeningRideau Canal Skating Rinkthe largest in the world.

“We will always have winters, but we will see the ski season change radically” in the future, he explained. France Press agency Mitchell Dickau of Concordia Universitywho in 2020 study published About the impact of climate change specifically on these sports and entertainment venues in Montreal.

The difference from a decade ago in Canada

In the last decade, “the The ski season lasted about 55 days. He explained, “If we can completely eliminate our emissions (greenhouse gases) and limit the temperature rise to two degrees Celsius, the season will be shortened by between 11 and 15 days.”

“But if we continue to burn fossil fuels in this way and do not reduce our carbon dioxide emissions, We can only have 11-day seasons This researcher added: “From now on until the end of the century.”

What needs to be done to stop climate change

According to DejaSh, 2023 is “Definitely an anomaly.” It constitutes an “indicator of climate change that people can relate to.”

to To solve the situation, artificial ice rinks – Fewer than ten so far in Montreal – have been developed; But it carries a significant financial and environmental cost.