Smoke from wildfires fills the air in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
August 22, 2023 - 2:39 PM
A recent study shows one-quarter of young Canadian adults would consider permanently relocating away from wildfire smoke and fumes.
As wildfires threaten Kelowna and Yellowknife, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate their homes, a study undertaken by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute and released today, Aug. 22, reveals the fear Canadians have for the future and what people believe is causing the fires.
The study found that the majority of Canadians (70%) believe that this fire season has been terrible or worse than usual in their province.
More than half of Canadians (55%) expect worse fires in the future, while one-quarter (26%) think that the current record-breaking conditions will be the new normal.
New poll shows that 24% of young Canadians would consider moving because of fires and smoke.
Image Credit: Angus Reid Institute
However, there remains a clear divide between what people believe is causing the fire.
While most (59%) think that climate change is directly contributing to worsening fire seasons, one-third still disagree.
Three-in-five Canadians believe that climate change represents a “crisis” that must be addressed urgently.
However, one-in-ten think the opportunity to act on the climate crisis has already passed and another group of one-in-nine Canadians (11%) – including one-quarter of past Conservative voters (24%) – say that nothing needs to be done and the situation is fine as it is.
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