North of the Border

 I am lounging in the shade at my relative’s cabin on Shebandowan Lake, Ontario. Shebandowan is a 24 mile long lake an hour’s drive northwest of Thunder Bay. The Morrow family of Canada has had a camp on the lake since well before I was born. Shebandowan and Quetico Park were my family’s destination nearly every summer when I was a K-12 school student.

As I type, it seems a bit strange to be lounging in shorts, on the lee side of the lake, on September 19^th. It is 80 degrees F in the shade even after the wind crosses the cool lake.

This contrasts with my experience as a kid. My dad generally scheduled our two-week family vacation the first two weeks of August. The weather was generally warm and the bugs, while still on the prowl, were receding in numbers. It was the perfect time to camp on a lake.

One year, due to my dad’s work schedule, we had to postpone our trip to the last two weeks of August. This was risky north of the border as the weather could quickly turn cold in late August. Old man winter was even known to strike with an early snow. In this case, in late August, the polar king did and we spent a cold shivering night in our tent.

My dad, the avid camper, mercifully, moved us into a cabin. 

This year it would have been impossible to duplicate our annual August trip. Quetico was closed due to numerous fires. In fact, much of Northwest Ontario was aflame. My relatives said there were times they could barely see across the narrow portion of Shebandowan due to the smoke. To meet the emergency the Ontario government banned burning anything outside.

It recently rained and the ban was lifted. We enjoyed an evening by the fire. This was the first time all summer the family could relax by a campfire in the evening.

COVID and Climate are subjects Canadians talk about.

It is different up here. Canadians in Ontario appreciate the heroic work their public health care workers have committed themselves to battling the disease. Mask wearing is mandatory in public places, and I heard zero griping in two weeks. They know if they can beat the virus down hospitals will open beds and schedules for other critical medical interventions.  The Thunder Bay area has an 80% vaccination rate.

Canadians I spoke to believe epidemiologists are scientists to be trusted. When I asked, they often know what the science term “R Naught” means and thus they understand why the Delta Variant is so transmissible and why basic countermeasures like masking and social distancing are effective.

And the same respect for epidemic science applies to climate science. When I started climate conversations with them, they often had details of insight and concern. There were no deniers to debate.

Unlike our Republican Party, all four major Canadian political parties have, in their platforms, plans to address the climate emergency. How effective each plan is debated. The fact it is happening, and the fact mankind is responsible, are no longer subjects on the agenda. Here, north of the border, Canadians are discussing solutions.  

Katharine Hayhoe’s new book “Saving Us” connects climate change to things we value most. Knowing how to talk about this issue -to the people we care about and to our local, national and global leaders - that’s how we can all make a difference.

We still have a window of opportunity if we act now.