The Atlantic
July 16, 2026
When the boreal forests of Canada catch on fire, no one can do anything about it in many cases. The forests are part of Earth’s largest land biome, a greenbelt of wilderness that encircles the globe, and they’ve been suffering from the planet’s thermostat being jacked up. Wood-boring pests that flourish in milder climates have swept north and east, through tens of millions of acres. Droughts and dwindling snowpack have stressed the trees. They are ready to burn.
Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
June 2026
This month, the Senate of Canada’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry issued the report of a long-term study of wildfires in Canada and their effects on forestry and agriculture industries, as well as on rural and Indigenous communities, across the country.
The Committee heard evidence from experts across sectors, including from John Pomeroy, about the relevance of water science to wildfires. The Canadian government relies on experts and academics to inform key decisions and support the development of national flood, drought, and wildfire prevention programs.
“The years 2023 and 2024 were the hottest years on the planet in 120,000 years, by many estimates. This warmed our snow, melted it early, thawed our permafrost, burned our forest, and intensified rainfall and drought outside of conditions to which nature and our population have evolved. It is hurtling us into a dangerous and unfamiliar world where our experience in traditional approaches to forest and water management no longer provide adequate guidance for preserving our environment, building our prosperity, looking after each other, and living in safe, healthy communities.” John Pomeroy
See more from John Pomeroy on pages 20, 85, 91, and 105.
Media articles featuring the report:
‘Wildfires are now a crisis’: Indigenous communities knew how to care for the land; then the rest of us arrived
North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
April 24, 2026
With spring underway, we wanted to hear from a man who’s dedicated his life to the study of snow, glaciers, and water. We sat down with John Pomeroy to hear about his early scientific interests, his career path, and why he calls snow “white gold”.
Rocky Mountain Outlook
April 9, 2026
Scientists say snowpacks at the Global Water Futures Observatories stations and snow surveys operated by the University of Saskatchewan’s Coldwater Lab in Canmore are “exceptionally deep and contain a very high amount of frozen and liquid water.”
CBC Kids News
January 27, 2026
Were you one of the thousands of Canadians enjoying the snowfall this week? Maybe you tobogganed down a huge hill, or found yourself stuck shovelling. Whether you love it or loathe it, much of the country got lots of snow. Parts of Canada actually set new winter records. But who actually got the most snow? And where was it coldest?
Green & White USask
April 17, 2026
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers are working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to raise awareness and contribute to an action plan to save the Earth’s cryosphere.
Read the original article by Green & White or view the republished version by SaskToday.ca.
CBC Radio
April 1, 2026
Parts of Alberta will likely get more snow this week, including Edmonton. But as the weather gets warmer, snowpacks will melt. What does that mean for Alberta rivers this summer? John Pomeroy is the director of Global Water Futures Observatories…
Calgary Herald
March 30, 2026
This year’s snowpack looks “really good” in parts of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, says a scientist. In the Bow River basin, the snowpack is at an all-time high at Lake Louise, and other snow surveys are above average to well above average…
TheFutureEconomy.ca
March 23, 2026
Canadians know how essential water is for agriculture, energy, recreation, industry and communities. We have built a modern Canada that depends on water for transportation, hydroelectricity, mining, drinking water…
Cathy Ellis
Rocky Mountain Outlook
January 5, 2026
Scientist says significant snowfall will recharge groundwater, soil moisture, ponds, wetlands and lakes when it melts