heat – mackaycartoons

Friday June 21, 2024

June 21, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 21, 2024

* Turn up the volume and find an animated making-of version of this cartoon through this link!

The Four Horsemen of the Climate Crisis

July 29, 2023

As the world marks the first day of summer amidst scorching temperatures and record-breaking heatwaves, the spotlight once again turns to one of the most immediate and pressing consequences of climate change: extreme heat. Metaphorically speaking, climate change has unleashed its own “Four Horsemen” upon our planet—each representing a distinct yet interconnected aspect of the crisis that imperils our future.

The Horseman of Extreme Heat silently claims lives under sweltering temperatures that strain our health systems and test our resilience. This horseman has been relentless, gripping continents from North America to Asia in a stifling embrace. In India, temperatures soared to 44-45°C (113°F), breaking records and pushing communities to their limits. The prolonged heatwaves have led to power cuts, water shortages, and tragically, dozens of heat-related deaths.

March 21, 2023

Across North America, a “heat dome” has settled, trapping warm air and pushing temperatures above 38°C (100°F) in many regions. Millions are under heat alerts, and cities like New York are opening cooling centres to protect vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, in Europe, Greece and other Mediterranean countries are grappling with early and intense heatwaves, prompting closures of historic sites and heightened wildfire risks.

In Saudi Arabia, pilgrims performing Hajj in Mecca faced temperatures exceeding 51°C (124°F), resulting in tragic fatalities among attendees. This stark reality underscores the deadly consequences of extreme heat, especially in regions unaccustomed to such severe temperatures.

News: Millions sweltering under extreme heat worldwide as summer arrives

November 19, 2021

The Horseman of Extreme Floods continues to wreak havoc, with recent events in Europe and Asia highlighting the catastrophic impacts of intensified rainfall and rising sea levels. These floods are not mere anomalies but glaring indicators of a climate system in turmoil, pushing vulnerable communities to the brink and demanding urgent adaptation measures.

July 21, 2022

The Horseman of Extreme Weather amplifies the fury of hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, disrupting lives and ecosystems with increasing frequency and severity. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and the Australian bushfires vividly demonstrate the devastating power of these weather extremes, exacerbated by a changing climate.

4 Waves Cartoon

The Horseman of Biodiversity Loss and Extinctions signals the unraveling of ecosystems and the loss of irreplaceable species. Coral reefs, polar habitats, and forests are under siege, threatening global biodiversity and the services these ecosystems provide.

Amidst these challenges, skeptics resort to Whataboutery—drawing false equivalences to divert attention from the urgency of climate action. They question the severity of extreme heat, downplaying its impact compared to other societal issues. However, the data is unequivocal: rising global temperatures are driving more frequent and intense heatwaves, exacting a heavy toll on human health, infrastructure, and economies.

FOX News: Heat kills more Americans than flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning

May 14, 2024

To confront these horsemen effectively, bold and decisive action is imperative. We need transformative policies that accelerate the transition to renewable energy, enhance resilience in vulnerable communities, and prioritize sustainability in every facet of our societies. Global cooperation must prevail, transcending political divides to safeguard our planet and future generations.

As individuals and as a global community, we hold the power to mitigate climate change’s worst effects. Let us not falter in our resolve. Let us heed the warning signs and act decisively to steer humanity toward a future where climate resilience, ecological health, and social justice are not just aspirations but realities for all. (AI)

Wednesday March 20, 2019

March 27, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 20, 2019

An unusually eventful budget day sets the stage for the coming election

Bill Morneau’s fourth budget is in the books, and that’s a good thing since he didn’t get a chance to deliver his speech in the Commons on Tuesday because of the din made by Conservative MPs determined to keep the public’s attention on the SNC-Lavalin affair.

Howdy Doodie Andy Scheer

The Conservatives jeered. They pounded their desks and they chanted “let her speak” in reference to their demand that former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould re-appear before the justice committee to discuss why she resigned.

Undeterred, the finance minister gamely plowed on, incapable of being heard on radio and television broadcasts, or even by his own mates on the government benches.

So let’s recap here.

Morneau’s fourth budget is not only the last instalment of the Liberals’ relentless pursuit of middle-class voters before the October election, it was a road map showing exactly which voters the party needs for another election win.

Millennials. Seniors. Blue-collar workers are all targeted for new spending, whether it’s help buying a first home, enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan or money for training. Mix in the Canada Child Benefit from Morneau’s first budget and from cradle to the grave, this government is putting more money in Canadians’ pockets.

As usual, Morneau didn’t call it spending. He never has.

Throughout his news conference in the budget lockup, the finance minister referred to investments, the need to continue to invest in Canadians even if it meant blowing by the campaign promise four years ago to balance the books by now.

March 2, 2019

The Conservatives hammered at the failure to present a plan to return to budget balance, but only as an afterthought.

Party Leader Andrew Scheer seemed far more interested in portraying the budget as a blatant attempt to deflect attention away from the role Justin Trudeau and his office played in trying to stop the prosecution of SNC-Lavalin on fraud and corruption charges.

Scheer never said what the Conservatives would offer as an an alternative. Never said how his party would balance the books.

It all made for an unusually eventful budget day. A Liberal financial plan tuned into the anxiety voters might be feeling in advance of an election. The main opposition party honed in on keeping a scandal alive as long as they can. New Democrats and the Greens anxiously competing for any slice of the progressive vote they can peel away.

An election may still be six months away. The campaigning is already well under way. (Source: CBC News)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

July 18, 2013 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, July 18, 2013

Eastern Canada swelters

Quebec health officials are investigating two deaths they say may be connected to the searing heat that has blanketed both Ontario and Quebec.

Richard Massé, the director of Montreal’s public health service, has confirmed that one person died Tuesday, but the person had other health problems and was in a private institution. Officials are unsure whether the death is linked to the heat.

Another death was reported Wednesday in Montreal, and officials are investigating it in connection with the soaring temperatures. Massé is urging people to look out for each other.

A severe thunderstorm left more than 9,000 households and businesses without power in Montreal. At least half of those have since been restored to power.

The temperature dropped 10 degrees in less than 45 minutes as the storm rolled into the city.
Residents prepared for possible flash flooding as Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Montreal on Wednesday afternoon.

In Ontario, Ottawa and Hamilton endured a heat wave Wednesday, as a third straight day of high temperatures baked parts of southern Quebec and Ontario.

“Humidex values in southern Ontario will be between 40 to 45,” said CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland, with Ottawa likely having its hottest day of the year — expected to hit the mid-40s.
“North and northeastern Ontario and southern Quebec could experience some severe thunderstorms late in the afternoon and evening.” (Source: CBC News)

Thursday July 21, 2011

July 21, 2011 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 21, 2011

The hottest day ever?

With a Stage 3 heat alert, thousands across Hamilton — from city workers to youth soccer players to the elderly — are bracing themselves as temperatures are set to climb to 37 Celsius. But with the humidex, it will feel like 48.

That’s as hot as Austin, Texas, as Dubai or Jerusalem.

While temperatures are measured at the airport, they could be slightly higher in other parts of the city.

The semi-good news is that there is a good strong breeze at 21km/hr. However, Dave Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada said that at temperatures 37 C and higher, “the wind really becomes a disadvantage,” as it just blows hot air instead of evaporating sweat to cool us off.

Hamilton could break a record for hottest day ever today as temperatures could go above the projected high. The honour currently goes to a July scorcher in 1911 when the thermometer topped 41 C, according to Environment Canada.

Michael Chater doesn’t usually mind the heat. He’s decided to throw in the cold towel and head to a motel.

“I don’t have any air (conditioning), I’ve been meaning to get it,” he said Wednesday. “I have fans, but it was 31 in there (the house) the last time I looked.”

Phillips said in past heat waves, it’s the temperatures still steaming at night that cause the most problems. With a high of 37 and a low of 25, Thursday’s average expected temperature is 31 C. Until now, Hamilton’s highest average (since 1959) was recorded on Aug. 1, 2006 when the mercury hit 29.6 C.(Source: Hamilton Spectator)