Climate Change Adaptation Plan Open House
Consultation has concluded
Preparing for a changing future: Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Municipalities are at the front lines of the battle to deal with the impacts of climate change. Here in Niagara we have already seen extreme heat waves, freezing rain, heavy rainfall and severe windstorms. Based on climate projections more heat, more precipitation and more extreme-weather events are on the horizon; it’s why we are developing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan, to prepare for this future.
Local weather requires a local response. For the City to respond, and continue delivering services residents rely on a plan will address current risks and vulnerabilities; take proactive steps to adapt; and invest today in a more resilient future.
A changing future
Climate change will impact areas across Canada and around the globe differently. Here in Niagara projections predict more heat, more precipitation and more extreme weather.
More Heat
Rising general temperatures and increasing heatwaves means we need to protect staff working outdoors and the public. Programs and services, such as cooling centres, offering heat relief will need to continue, alongside the exploration of new programming or locations.
Heat doesn’t just impact individuals. With heat comes drought, and current commitments to increasing the urban tree canopy, alongside planting of native, drought-resistant plants will keep our city green.
More precipitation
Precipitation is expected to increase in all seasons but the summer, and with increases comes the risk of flooding. More precipitation necessitates more investments in stormwater infrastructure, as well as engaging the public on ways they can make a difference and reduce stormwater runoff at home.
Natural assets, such as local watercourses and Lake Ontario, also need to be focussed on, with efforts to protect shorelines, prevent erosion and protect public safety.
More extreme weather
Past extreme weather events that happened rarely are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity. Ensuring municipal operations and communication plans are in place to address these events with effective response procedures is a priority for the City. Essential services delivered by the City should be able to continue even through an extreme event to increase municipal resilience.
The Plan
A focus on City operations, assets and services is built on up-to-date climate projections; alongside previous public engagement through the Niagara Adapts Household Vulnerability Survey and Draft Vision and Goals Survey. Unlike mitigation efforts, which seek to stop climate change from happening through emission reduction and other actions, adaptation (and this plan) focuses on preparing for and offsetting the negative impacts of climate change.
The draft plan outlines the impacts of climate change, the highest risks and vulnerabilities the City is facing and the recommended adaptation actions to address those impacts.
The Vision:
St. Catharines will mitigate and adapt to climate change through the integration of plans, policies and procedures to ensure the City of St. Catharines takes action to remain innovative, sustainable and livable.
The Mission:
St. Catharines will be positioned to mitigate, respond and adapt to the local impacts of climate change, such as the rise of extreme heat, increased precipitation levels and extreme weather events. This will be accomplished through the knowledge of anticipated climate impacts, informed decision making and implement necessary actions to strengthen the City’s commitment to a resilient future.
The Goals:
To prepare for the future the Plan contains six goals that closely follow the trends of the climate projections and are the high-level intensions of the Corporate Climate Adaptation Plan.
- Prepare for hotter summers
- Prepare and respond to extreme weather events
- Develop a flood prevention strategy
- Improve stormwater management including the use of green infrastructure
- Prepare for high Lake Ontario water levels
- Re-think how the City addresses Climate Change
For the full list of adaptation actions under each goal, please refer to the draft Climate Adaptation Plan Appendix E.
Please watch the following video for more information on the Plan and its development below.
Questions and Feedback
The online open house has concluded. Thank you to all those who took time to ask questions or provide feedback.