Title

August’s Climate Story

Name

August Crane

Place

Framboise, Canada

How are you sensing climate change?

My family’s cabin on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia was always our sanctuary, and still is. Every summer, in late July, we flee the country and make the 18-hour drive up north. We look forward to the beautiful view of the lake from our house, the vibrant forest, and the beach. I have been coming to Nova Scotia every year of my life since I was born, so I was quick to notice gradual or sudden changes throughout the years. Since the US-Canada border was closed for two years due to COVID, I hadn’t made it up to our cabin in quite a while.
We were greeted with an overgrown driveway and backyard, but we were too excited to notice. The usual smell of tree sap filled the air. However, little did I know that so much had changed in two short years. The forest was no longer as loud; I used to be able to hear more birds chirping. Although some trees flourished, some did not make it and were rotted on the edge of the forest. This was just the start of changes I noticed, however. When we walked to the beach, I noticed that there was an increase in erosion on the cliff that we used to stand on, so much so that it would soon be unsafe to climb up to the top. This could have been caused by a lack of balance of rainfall, perhaps too much or too little. Finally, I noticed a decreased need for my sweaters that I used to wear religiously; the weather in Nova Scotia usually gets a bit chilly at night but I noticed it was becoming easier and easier to wear a short sleeve shirt.

How do these changes make you feel?

These changes, more than any others in my life, make me feel helpless and sad. This is a place I have been coming to my entire life, and seeing it slowly being stripped away by climate change is a tragic fact but one that I must face if I want to have any chance at preserving this land.
I also feel lots of shock when thinking about these changes. The area where my house is in Canada is extremely rural and I never truly considered that climate change is this far-reaching and relevant in my personal life. I always attributed coastal and urban areas as being the most affected, but after seeing these changes, I know that is not true. However, these changes make me motivated to learn more about personal climate change and to take action.

Deveena’s Story #2

Everything is happening all around, and now it is too late to stop the ruin of our world with climate change.

Deveena’s Story #1

But little did I know, I would come to find out that my entire home state Kerala was flooded, and the flood didn’t only ruin my childhood home, but had also taken the lives of my friends and family friends back home.

Gabrielle’s Story #2

Over the past few years, I have been experiencing and noticing the appearance of climate change.

Gabrielle’s Story #1

Today was notably filled with emotion and conversation, because of the historic rainfall from Hurricane Ida the night before.

Drake’s Story

It’s tiring and draining feeling the intense heat surround and choke me.

Jack’s Story

I notice that the snow days I once treated as a frequent occurrence no longer occur so frequently anymore.

Praveen’s Story

I am sensing climate change through the environment and weather conditions around me.

Owen’s Story

I’m scared for where humans are leading this world, I’m worried about the future of our planet and our own future.

Priyanka’s Story

I feel very worried about the children, women and girls, all peoples are victims of the climate crisis.

Saskia’s Story

Through “clean” energy developments. See the recording for my full story!

Browse All Stories