Final Report - Space Weather Socioeconomic Impact Study on Canadian Infrastructure

Space weather has a variety of impacts on technology, both in space and on the ground. In space, the impacts include health risks to astronauts due to radiation exposure and physical risks to satellites and their electrical components due to energetic electrons and solar flare protons. Space weather has wide-ranging impacts on Earth, due to the effects of geomagnetic storms on the electrical grid and the use of space-based services such as satellite communications and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), and the increase in radiation exposure to passengers and crew on international flights over the polar regions. Electromagnetic radiation from the Sun can interfere with communications, either by direct radio interference or by affecting the electrical properties of the ionosphere. The primary objectives of this study were to: assess and quantify the socioeconomic impact of various space weather scenarios; review current efforts to detect, warn and mitigate space weather events on Canada’s infrastructure; and facilitate an exchange of information on the study findings with key stakeholders (Canadian government, industry and academia) and provide a preliminary assessment of the level of preparedness and knowledge of potential space weather effects and impacts amongst these stakeholders. The study relied upon a comprehensive literature review, key informant interviews, telephone surveys and a stakeholder consultation workshop as the primary research methods. A three-phase approach to analysis of the socioeconomic impacts of space weather disturbances included: development of a set of socioeconomic impact indicators; assessment of the impact of space weather for three scenarios representing different levels of space weather activity; and identification of mitigation strategies or needs for a higher resilience to space weather events in Canada. This study does not intend to measure the risk or likelihood of a space weather event, and must not be read as a vulnerability study. Separate work based on long-term measurements of space weather indicators, and accurate models of assessing their impacts on technological infrastructures, are required to assess the probability of the proposed scenarios to materialize. The study also did not quantitatively assess the broader social impacts which might arise from the effects of extreme space weather on technological infrastructure. Initial research was conducted in two areas to provide a solid foundation for the subsequent data collection and analysis phases. A review and assessment of previous space weather socioeconomic impact studies provided insights and identified good practices that were incorporated in the design of the impact assessment methodology. Research on space weather related activities in Canada, United States, Australia and United Kingdom resulted in an inventory of space weather players (service providers and clients) in Canada, and provided information on how Canada compares with the other jurisdictions on the delivery and use of space weather information.

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