Climate Change is Here: Canada’s Lighthouses Face Erosion Threat
Coastal erosion threatens historic lighthouses in Canada, highlighting the urgent impacts of climate change on local communities and tourism.
Nova Scotia, P.E.I., Climate Change, Lighthouses, Erosion, Hurricane Fiona
HALIFAX: For over 150 years, the Walton Harbour lighthouse in Nova Scotia has been a landmark. But now, it’s in trouble due to coastal erosion.
Recently, the cliff it stands on has been crumbling, putting the lighthouse at risk. This has locals worried about losing a piece of their history and a tourist attraction.
John Ogilvie, who’s involved with the Walton Area Development Association, mentioned that erosion has sped up in the last decade. They knew they had to act fast to save this important community asset.
In response, the local government allocated $100,000 to move the lighthouse about 45 meters inland. This costly decision shows just how real climate change is for them.
With 13,000 kilometers of coastline, Nova Scotia is facing serious challenges as storms get stronger and sea levels rise. Ogilvie noted that they’re seeing more intense storms, which is a big concern.
Tim Webster, a research scientist, has been tracking the coastline changes for 20 years. He found that, on average, the shoreline is moving inland by about 30 centimeters each year.
However, he pointed out that erosion can be unpredictable. There might be years with little change, then suddenly, a couple of storms can cause significant damage.
Nova Scotia has faced severe storms in the past, like Hurricane Juan in 2003 and post-Tropical Storm Dorian in 2019. But Hurricane Fiona in 2022 was a game-changer, causing unprecedented destruction.
Webster explained that Fiona’s storm surge was the highest ever recorded in Atlantic Canada, pushing tide levels up by 2.4 meters. This was a wake-up call for everyone about the future of storms in a warming ocean.
He warned that if storms like Fiona become more frequent, the erosion could worsen quickly. Meanwhile, researchers in P.E.I. found that many lighthouses there are also at risk from coastal erosion.
Some lighthouses have already been moved, while others are getting protective measures. The situation is dire, with over 1,000 homes on the Island also vulnerable to the changing coastline.
In Annandale, P.E.I., erosion has been a long-standing issue, threatening the historic lighthouse there. Local resident Greg Norton shared that they lose about a foot of riverbank each year.
His family moved the lighthouse to their property in 2020, and now they run it as an Airbnb. It’s a beautiful spot, but the threat of erosion looms large.
In Walton, the lighthouse that was saved now welcomes visitors every summer, offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Fundy. It’s a reminder of the community’s resilience.
Ogilvie emphasized the importance of working together to tackle these pressing issues. Climate change is not a distant problem; it’s happening now, and they need to act.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 31, 2024.
Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press