AI for Climate Action: Tackling Wildfires and Heatwaves

We write to you with urgency and hope, as Canada faces an escalating climate crisis that threatens our environment, economy, and the safety of all Canadians. Wildfires and heatwaves are not only more frequent but also more severe, driven by the worsening impacts of climate change. The 2023 and 2024 wildfire seasons were the most destructive in Canadian history, scorching over 15 million hectares of land, releasing hundreds of millions of tons of carbon, and forcing thousands of families from their homes. Simultaneously, heatwaves have pushed our health systems to the brink, endangered vulnerable populations, and strained critical infrastructure.

The scale of these crises demands a transformative, technology-driven approach to prevention, response, and recovery. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a powerful and practical solution. By harnessing AI, we can:

• Predict Wildfires and Heatwaves: Develop advanced forecasting systems to anticipate risk hotspots with unparalleled accuracy.
• Enhance Early Warning Systems: Use real-time data to alert communities faster and more effectively, saving lives and livelihoods.
• Optimize Resource Allocation: Enable more precise deployment of firefighting resources, cooling centers, and emergency services.
• Support Long-term Resilience: Utilize AI to model climate scenarios, inform policy decisions, and design adaptive measures to reduce vulnerabilities.

Canada is uniquely positioned to lead in this effort. With our global reputation in AI innovation and access to world-class research institutions, we have the tools to pioneer climate resilience strategies that can serve as a model for the world. However, this will require bold leadership, strategic investments, and coordinated action at all levels of government.

We urge you to:

• Establish a National Task Force to focus on developing and implementing AI-driven solutions for wildfires and heatwaves.
• Fund Research and Innovation in climate-focused AI technologies, prioritizing public-private-planet partnerships and collaborations with Indigenous communities.
• Integrate responsible AI into Emergency Preparedness Plans, ensuring that cutting-edge tools are deployed to safeguard Canadians and our natural ecosystems.
• Champion International Collaboration, positioning Canada as a leader in AI for climate resilience on the global stage.

The cost of inaction is staggering—not only in financial terms but also in lives lost, communities displaced, and irreversible environmental damage. Addressing this challenge is not merely a necessity but an opportunity to affirm Canada’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global leadership.

We, the undersigned, represent a coalition of organizations, experts, and citizens dedicated to creating a resilient future. Through this campaign, we stand ready to partner with Canadin stakeholders and communities to make these transformative changes a reality.

Let us work together to ensure that Canada meets this moment of crisis and emerges stronger, safer, and more united in the fight against hazards and disasters risks.