Why This Matters:
Climate action is not something that is relegated simply to federal governments and international bodies. In fact, according to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, 50% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are directly linked to municipal decisions. This is mostly due to municipal decisions in land use, transportation planning, and building standards that impact individual choices.
For example, a municipality that approves car dependent sprawl forces people to drive to get to everything they need which in turn increases carbon emissions. A municipality that invests heavily in roads and parking lots removes green spaces and the carbon sequestration services those trees/wetlands provided as well as increases the carbon footprint of the community.
So as you can see, climate action isn’t relegated to one type of action or one area of a municipality - it bleeds into everything, especially land use and transportation planning.
A strong climate action plan focuses on mitigation and adaptation. A strong climate plan determines a way to make their community more transportation and energy resilient. A strong climate action plan considers the people who will be most affected by the impacts (e.g. women, youth, seniors, low income) and creates strategies to lessen those impacts.
This is where climate action plans intersect with housing, poverty reduction, food security and health advocacy. Climate action is a co-benefit to many other issues communities face, so a strong climate action plan considers the broader impacts of climate change.
The truth is that climate change will involve increasingly expensive infrastructure failures, servicing costs and lost lives (both human and natural). There is no way for any municipality to avoid this cost, but action today can reduce the costs and give your citizens hope for a better tomorrow.
For example, a municipality that approves car dependent sprawl forces people to drive to get to everything they need which in turn increases carbon emissions. A municipality that invests heavily in roads and parking lots removes green spaces and the carbon sequestration services those trees/wetlands provided as well as increases the carbon footprint of the community.
So as you can see, climate action isn’t relegated to one type of action or one area of a municipality - it bleeds into everything, especially land use and transportation planning.
A strong climate action plan focuses on mitigation and adaptation. A strong climate plan determines a way to make their community more transportation and energy resilient. A strong climate action plan considers the people who will be most affected by the impacts (e.g. women, youth, seniors, low income) and creates strategies to lessen those impacts.
This is where climate action plans intersect with housing, poverty reduction, food security and health advocacy. Climate action is a co-benefit to many other issues communities face, so a strong climate action plan considers the broader impacts of climate change.
The truth is that climate change will involve increasingly expensive infrastructure failures, servicing costs and lost lives (both human and natural). There is no way for any municipality to avoid this cost, but action today can reduce the costs and give your citizens hope for a better tomorrow.
Did You Know…?
- According to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, Simcoe Muskoka will have a climate similar to:
- Ohio by 2030
- Kentucky by 2050
- Mississippi by 2080
- Every dollar spent on climate adaption saves $3-5 in recovery and repair costs.
- Our region will not be free of climate impacts.
- According to a new report released by The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which has the world’s leading climate scientists, curbing global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels would require greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest.
- At the same time, methane, a potent greenhouse gas, would also need to be reduced by roughly one-third.
What You Can Do As A Municipal Leader:
- Inform yourself about climate change and its local impacts. You can review a summary chart of local impacts expected as well as a FAQ if you are just starting to learn about climate change. Review the temperature charts for the area.
- Ensure all local decisions are passed through a climate lens similar to how staff reports consider the financial implications of a decision. Does this increase carbon emissions or reduce them? Will this remove or add land that sequesters carbon, prevents flooding and reduces air temperature?
- Establish a Climate Action Citizen Advisory Committee to help your municipality prepare for and mitigate a changing climate
- Allocate funds in your municipal budget for climate mitigation and adaptation
- Set a vision for your municipality that is energy, food, transportation and housing resilient.
- Ground your municipality’s climate action vision in policy statements in official plans and other municipal planning and policy documents by incorporating policy statements such: “Opportunities shall be provided to use or develop renewable energy sources through design regulations and land use and zoning requirements” and “natural and/or naturalized landscapes are encouraged to improve air and water quality throughout the community, support outdoor physical activity and encourage connection with nature”.
Local Organizations That Can Help:
Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team
Website: https://wasagabeachclimateaction.org/ Email: [email protected] |
New Tecumseth Climate Action
Website: https://www.facebook.com/New-Tec-Climate-109709457171528 Email: [email protected] |
Collingwood Climate Action Team
Website: https://collingwoodclimateaction.com Email: [email protected] |