Some young Canadians considering moving to avoid wildfire smoke: survey
Posted August 22, 2023 4:30 pm.
Several young Canadians are considering a move to avoid smoky summers caused by wildfires, according to a new Angus Reid Institute study.
A quarter of Canadians (24 per cent) aged 18 to 34 say they would consider relocating – commonly called climate migration. That percentage drops among Canadians aged 35 to 54 (15 per cent) and aged 55 and over (six per cent).
Wildfires have occurred in almost every province and territory this summer and have burned more than 137,000 square kilometres – about twice the previous record set in 1995.
Increased wildfires have long been forecast by climate scientists, with more Canadians now taking notice.
The Angus Reid study found more than half of Canadians (55 per cent) are expecting worse fire conditions in the future. A quarter of respondents (26 per cent) believe the situation this year will be the new normal.
Roughly three-in-five Canadians say climate change is a “crisis” that society must urgently address.
The Angus Reid Institute conducted two online surveys: the first between July 26-31 among 3,016 Canadian adults; the second between Aug. 8-11 among 1,606 Canadian adults.
